Deportivo Cuenca vs. Barcelona Is March 1 — An Expat's Guide to LigaPro 2026

Cuenca Has a Football Team — And It's Worth Watching

If you've lived in Cuenca for any amount of time, you've probably seen the red jerseys around town on game days, heard the fireworks after a win, or wondered why traffic around the stadium suddenly gets terrible.

That's Deportivo Cuenca — the city's professional football club, currently competing in LigaPro Serie A, Ecuador's top division.

And this Saturday, March 1, they host Barcelona SC — Ecuador's most popular and most followed club. It's one of the biggest matches of the early season.

The Basics

Detail
Match	Deportivo Cuenca vs. Barcelona SC
Date	Saturday, March 1, 2026
Venue	Estadio Alejandro Serrano Aguilar
Location	Av. del Estadio, Cuenca (near the river, south of El Centro)
Capacity	~20,000
League	LigaPro Serie A 2026

About LigaPro 2026

The 2026 LigaPro season kicked off on February 20 with 16 teams. The format:

• First Stage: Each team plays 30 matches (home and away against every opponent)
• Second Stage: Teams split into groups based on first-stage results
• Season runs: February through December

Deportivo Cuenca (nicknamed "El Expreso Austral" — the Southern Express) has been a fixture in Ecuadorian football for decades. They're not always title contenders, but home games at the Serrano Aguilar are electric — especially against big clubs like Barcelona or Liga de Quito.

Why Barcelona SC Is a Big Deal

Barcelona SC (from Guayaquil — nothing to do with Spain) is Ecuador's most supported club. When they come to town, expect:

• A larger-than-usual crowd
• Visiting fans making the trip from Guayaquil
• More intense atmosphere than a typical home game
• Possible road closures near the stadium

Going to the Game: Practical Tips

Tickets:

• Available at the stadium box office on game day and sometimes in advance at designated sales points
• Prices typically range from $5–$20 depending on the section
• General (General) is cheapest and most raucous — the hardcore fans are here
• Tribuna or Preferencia offers better seats and a calmer experience

Getting there:

• The stadium is along the Río Tomebamba, south of El Centro
• Take a taxi ($2-3 from most central locations) — but go early, traffic builds before kickoff
• The Tranvía has a stop within walking distance
• Walking from El Centro takes about 20 minutes

What to bring:

• Cash for tickets and food vendors
• A jacket — evening games get cold at altitude
• Your phone for photos, but keep it secure in crowded sections
• Don't bring large bags — there may be security checks at entry

Food and drink:

• Vendors outside and inside sell cevichocho, empanadas, hot dogs, and beer
• Prices are low — a full snack and drink setup runs about $3-5

Watching From Home

If you'd rather watch from a bar or at home:

• LigaPro matches air on GolTV Ecuador and Star+
• Several sports bars around Cuenca show matches — Inca Lounge and restaurants along Calle Larga are good bets
• Check the schedule at espn.com/soccer for kickoff times

The Experience

Going to a Deportivo Cuenca match is one of those things that makes living here feel different from just visiting. The chants, the drums, the energy of 15,000 people losing their minds over a goal — it's a side of Cuenca you won't find at the Bienal or Parque Calderón.

Even if you're not a football fan, it's worth going at least once. March 1 against Barcelona is a great first game.

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Sources: ESPN, El Mercurio, LigaPro