What is the seating capacity of Estadio Caliente?

Estadio Caliente holds 27,333 fans, with plans for future expansion to 33,333. The stadium opened in November 2007 with an initial capacity of just 13,333 and has been expanded twice. It is named after Grupo Caliente, a sports betting company that also owns Club Tijuana.

Where is Estadio Caliente located?

Estadio Caliente is at Blvd. Agua Caliente 12027 in the Hipodromo neighbourhood of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. It sits approximately 5 km southeast of the US-Mexico border crossing at San Ysidro.

How do I get to Estadio Caliente from San Diego?

Take the MTS Blue Line trolley to San Ysidro ($2.50), walk across the PedEast border crossing into Tijuana, then take an Uber or taxi ($7-10 USD, 10-15 minutes) to the stadium. If driving, cross at the San Ysidro Port of Entry and head southeast on Blvd. Agua Caliente. You will need Mexican auto insurance.

Is there parking at Estadio Caliente?

Yes. The stadium lot and adjacent Caliente Casino lot both offer parking for approximately 100 MXN (~$5-6 USD). Lots open about 2 hours before kickoff.

What team plays at Estadio Caliente?

Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente — commonly called Xolos — a Liga MX club founded in January 2007 that won its first league title in December 2012. The team is named after the Xoloitzcuintli, a hairless Mexican dog breed.

How far is the airport from Estadio Caliente?

Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) is approximately 11 km (15-20 min drive). San Diego International Airport (SAN) is about 30 km but requires a border crossing. The Cross Border Xpress (CBX) pedestrian bridge connects the US side directly to TIJ airport terminals for $16-20 USD.

Can I walk across the border to Estadio Caliente?

You can walk across the border at the San Ysidro PedEast crossing, but the stadium is about 5 km away — too far to walk comfortably. After crossing on foot, take a short Uber or taxi ride ($7-10 USD) to the stadium. Check border wait times before departing.

Estadio Caliente, Tijuana MX - Capacity, History & Complete Visitor Guide

About Estadio Caliente

Estadio Caliente sits in the Hipodromo neighbourhood of Tijuana — a 27,333-seat stadium where Club Tijuana Xolos play Liga MX football, where an estimated 20-30% of the fans on any given match day have crossed the US-Mexico border from San Diego, and where the nearest Liga MX rival is over 1,000 miles away while the nearest MLS city is just 25 miles north.

The $30 million stadium opened on November 11, 2007, with an initial capacity of just 13,333. It has been expanded twice to meet Liga MX requirements and match the club’s rapid rise. The naming rights belong to Grupo Caliente — the sports betting and entertainment conglomerate that also owns the club — making this one of the few stadiums in the world where the team, the stadium, and the naming-rights sponsor are all under the same ownership.

Club Tijuana’s story is one of the fastest ascents in football. Founded in January 2007, the Xolos climbed from the second division to the Liga MX championship in December 2012 — just 1.5 years in the top flight, the fastest promotion-to-title run in Mexican football history. The cross-border fan base is unique in world football: San Diego residents cross at San Ysidro, take a taxi to Blvd. Agua Caliente, and cheer in a different country.

The Xoloitzcuintli — the hairless Mexican dog breed — is the club’s mascot and identity. It’s fitting for a team that represents the border itself.

Getting to Estadio Caliente

Public Transit

Getting to Estadio Caliente is a cross-border journey for most visitors. The best route starts on the US side.

→ From San Diego via Trolley + Taxi: Take the MTS Blue Line trolley to San Ysidro Transit Center ($2.50). Walk across the PedEast border crossing into Tijuana. From the border, take an Uber or taxi (~$7-10 USD, 10-15 minutes) to the stadium.

→ Via Tijuana City Bus: Buses serve the Blvd. Agua Caliente corridor with stops near the stadium. Use the Moovit app for real-time schedules.

San Ysidro is the busiest land border crossing in the Western Hemisphere. Check wait times at the CBP website before departing. SENTRI or Ready Lane credentials significantly reduce border wait times.

Driving + Parking

The stadium address is Blvd. Agua Caliente 12027, Hipodromo, 22020 Tijuana, B.C., Mexico.

→ From San Diego (~5 km from border): I-5 South to the San Ysidro Port of Entry. Cross into Mexico and follow signs to Blvd. Agua Caliente. About 30-90 minutes including border wait. You need Mexican auto insurance — US policies do not cover Mexico.

→ From Ensenada (~100 km): Autopista Tijuana-Ensenada (toll road) northbound. About 1-1.5 hours.

→ From Mexicali (~185 km): Federal Highway 2 westbound through Tecate. About 2-2.5 hours.

The stadium lot and adjacent Caliente Casino lot both charge approximately 100 MXN (~$5-6 USD). Lots open 2 hours before kickoff. The Otay Mesa crossing is an alternative with often shorter waits.

Rideshare

Uber is fully operational in Tijuana and is generally cheaper than taxis. A ride from the San Ysidro border to the stadium costs approximately $4-7 USD. Traditional taxis cost $7-10 USD — negotiate the fare before getting in. Uber rides cannot cross the international border — walk across and request a new ride on the Mexico side.

From the Airport

→ Tijuana International Airport (TIJ): About 11 km from the stadium, 15-20 minutes by car. Taxi or Uber costs $7-12 USD. Served by Volaris, Aeromexico, and VivaAerobus with domestic Mexican routes.

→ San Diego International Airport (SAN): About 30 km, but requires a border crossing. Budget 1-2 hours total. The Cross Border Xpress (CBX) pedestrian bridge ($16-20 USD) connects the US side directly to TIJ airport terminals.

History of Estadio Caliente

Estadio Caliente was built alongside the club it houses. Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles was founded on January 14, 2007, by Jorge Hank Rhon — and the stadium opened just 10 months later. The $30 million venue started at 13,333 seats and has grown with the team.

Stadium Opening (November 11, 2007): Estadio Caliente opened with a capacity of 13,333, purpose-built for a club that was still in the second division. The expansion to 27,333 came in stages as the Xolos rose through Mexican football.

Promotion to Liga MX (May 21, 2011): Club Tijuana defeated Irapuato 2-1 on aggregate in the Promotion Final, earning their place in the top flight. The stadium was expanded to meet Liga MX’s minimum 15,000-seat requirement.

Liga MX Championship (December 2, 2012): The Xolos defeated Toluca 4-1 on aggregate in the Apertura 2012 Final — winning the Liga MX title after just 3 tournaments in the top flight. It was the fastest promotion-to-championship in Mexican football history.

CONCACAF Champions League (2013-14): Club Tijuana reached the semifinals, defeating LA Galaxy 4-3 on aggregate in the quarterfinals — bringing continental competition to the border and showcasing the club’s rapid rise to an international audience.

From a second-division startup to a Liga MX champion in five years, Estadio Caliente is where border football lives — a stadium 5 km from the United States where fans cross countries to watch a team named after a hairless dog that conquered Mexican football faster than anyone thought possible.