Why is Chivas vs Tigres not being played at Estadio Akron? Where will the Liga MX game be held?

Chivas take on Tigres this coming Saturday on matchday 14 of Liga MX’s Apertura 2023 tournament. However, rather than be played at Estadio Akron in Zaponan, as would normally be the case, the fixture will be moved elsewhere. And it’s all Canadian singer The Weeknd’s fault.

Not for the first time in recent months in Mexico, soccer will be moved out of a soccer stadium to accommodate an event other than soccer. The Weeknd has been booked to perform at Guadalajara’s home ground this week and the upcoming game has been moved due to fears the field won’t have recovered in time following the concert.

Liga MX confirm stadium switch in Guadalajara

As a result, Chivas vs Tigres will instead be moved to Atlas’ Estadio Jalisco, which Guadalajara themselves also called home between 1960 and 2010. Liga MX confirmed the change in the following statement:

“The match between Guadalajara and Tigres, corresponding to matchday 14 of the Apertura 2023 tournament, will change venue and be played at Estadio Jalisco on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at 7:05 p.m. (9:05 p.m. ET).

“The above change will take place because of The Weeknd concert on Wednesday 25 October and the time required for the field of play to be in a suitable condition to host a Liga MX fixture.”

Concerts force numerous Apertura 2023 fixture changes

Three Apertura 2023 matches were affected earlier in the season for similar reasons. In July, Querétaro vs Club América was postponed following a gig at Estadio Corregidora by Mexican singer Carín León, while the same thing happened with Monterrey vs Santos Laguna, scheduled for the end of September at Estadio BBVA but moved back to November, also because of The Weeknd.

The match between Atlas and América, meanwhile, was switched to Estadio Azteca at late notice because of the poor state of the field at Estadio Jalisco after a Romeo Santos show.