LandingPad Buenos Aires

It’s true. Soccer, rugby, and tennis dominate the sports scene in Buenos Aires. That said, in Buenos Aires you can most certainly also find all of the sports that you enjoy playing back home, and maybe even some you never knew existed. For you jocks, I need not convince you to check out sports in Buenos Aires. I urge sports fanatics and lay people alike to pursue a pick up game while you are here. Without this experience you would be truly missing out on a piece of Argentine culture. Sports, much like the arts, offer a glimpse into the collective psyche, the history, and the culture of Argentina. The unbridled passions of World Cup soccer, the colonial imprint of rugby, and a glimpse at the pampas through polo, can all be observed through sports.

Sports also are a great way to meet new people and make friends. It can be overwhelming to get a handle on what sports are available and open for new participants or spectators. With this article, we merely offer a starting point, along with some relevant resources. Now you have one less excuse, not to burn off all that cheap booze that Mr. Betton convinced you to consume.

Basketball
Basketball may not be the first sport that comes to mind when you think of Argentina, but don’t forget that the Argentine national team won the 2004 Olympic gold medal. While the basketball mecca of Argentina is Bahia Blanca, there are plenty of places in Buenos Aires where you can find a pick up game, play in a league or watch a game.

Where to play: Public parks in Buenos Aires may not host pick up games as they do in the US, but such games can be found if you know where to look. Here are a few places to try:

Ateneo de Juventud. Riobamba 165. Tel – 4372-1106
Pick up games are Monday and Thursday nights, and on Saturdays around 3:30. Membership required (daily or monthly passes available)
Sportclub Almargo. Medrano 522. Tel – 4864-5226
Call or ask around for specific times.

ABA League
This league plays at various locations throughout the city every Sunday.
Check website for more information.

Where to watch basketball games: The National Basketball League 2009/10 schedule.

Golf
In Capital Federal your golf options are limited. However, very nice courses can be found just outside the city, in the province of Buenos Aires. Most of the clubs are private, but they are often open one day a week to the public. Most courses don’t have electric carts, but caddies are available and sometimes required. If you have the opportunity to travel, we suggest checking out the courses in Córdoba or Patagonia.

Where to play:
In Capital your options are limited to one 18-hole course in Palermo and a driving range in Costa Salguero.

Golf Club Lagos de Palermo (public course)
Location: Av. Tornquist y Olleros. Tel: 11-4772-7261
This 18 hole course is conveniently located in Parque 3 de Febrero. Rental clubs are available for approximately $50 (Sept. ’09).

Driving range at Costa Salguero.
Location: Av. Costanera y Jeronimo Salguero. Tel: 11-4805-4732

Locate courses outside of Capital using the ABA website.

If you’re interested in checking out golf courses outside of capital, we recommend the following locations:
The Jockey Club (San Isidro)
Olivos Golf Club (Olivos)
Pilar Golf Club (Pilar)

Where to watch: There are no professional events that take place in Capital.

Pato
Much to the chagrin of non-Argentines, soccer is not the national sport of Argentina. Instead, the national pastime is a sport that was originally played using a live duck (instead of a ball) called Pato. Pato is best described as a mix between polo and basketball. You really have to see it before you can understand.

Where to play: Your best bet would be to ask at any of the locations that offer polo lessons. As far as we know, there are no games organized on a regular basis for the public to participate.

Where to watch: Campo Argentino de Pato, Campo de Mayo Prov. Buenos Aires. 30km from Capital.
Tournament schedules are posted at Federación Argentina de Pato website

Tennis
Behind soccer, tennis may be the most popular sport in Argentina. Tennis courts can be found throughout the city. Many Argentine players have had great success in international play.

Where to play: There are many options, so its best that you investigate your neighborhood for places to play. You can rent a court by the hour or join a club with a monthly fee.

Find available courts throughout the city at Hay Cancha website

Note: If you are looking for someone to play with, there are often postings on craigslist for people looking for a tennis partner or check out the LandingPadBA.com forum.

Where to watch: Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club hosts Copa Telmex, part of the ATP Tour Tournament and Peugeot Argentina Tennis Club. It has also held many Davis and Fedex Cup tournament matches. This year the Copa Telmex starts December 16th.

For more information visit: http://www.copatelmex.com/

Soccer
Soccer is practically a religion in Argentina and their national team is consistently one of the worlds best. Make sure to catch a game while in Buenos Aires, as it is a thrilling and unique experience. Just make sure not to be caught in the wrong soccer jersey in the wrong part of town, or you could be asking for trouble.

Where to play: In Buenos Aires, your options for finding a soccer game are limitless. There are pick up games all over the city. You can also find many indoor courts which you can rent out by the hour.

The best way to join a soccer league is through one of your Argentine friends. They don’t play soccer? Cultour organizes 5 on 5 games or this site can assist you in locating games

Interested in joining a league? Sign up here

Where to watch: The two most famous teams from Buenos Aires are River Plate and Boca Juniors. Check the LandingPadBA.com calendar, the local newspaper or internet for schedules. Tickets can be purchased at the stadium a couple days before the game or the day of the game from the box office or scalpers. Be aware that unless you are familiar with the prices and appearance of the tickets you could get ripped off. To avoid such hassle, request tickets delivered to your door from LandingPadBA.com. Also, it is not recommended for a gringo to sit in the popular section without a local. This is where the Barra Brava (hooligans) are seated.

For schedules, rosters, and additional information be sure to visit: these sites

Polo
Argentina produces some of the best polo players and polo ponies in the world. Due to the expense of playing the sport, the polo scene is exclusively high society. Polo players enjoy a playboy lifestyle in Argentina and abroad. Argentina has been the world champions since 1949.

Where to play: LandingPadBA.com can sign you up for Polo lessons, or get you tickets to organized games. All levels are welcome, even the folks that don’t know how to ride a horse. Polo Elite will provide transportation to and from the polo fields in Ezeiza (area near the international airport), horses, gear and professional instruction. A two part, one day lesson costs $300 pesos.

Also check out Rocio, an estancia (country bed and breakfast) that is primarily focused on polo. This is one of the classiest estancias you can find in Argentina. Its got a hefty price tag, but it’s worth every penny when you’re out there.

Where to watch:
Campo Argentino de Polo (Av del Libertador y Dorrego.)
The 116th Campeonato Argentino Abierto is from November 14th until December 5th.

For schedules, statistics and results check Asociación Argentina de Polo website.

Rugby
Rugby was brought to Argentina during the 1870s by the British. In Argentina, Rugby is played largely on an amateur level, but the Argentine national team proved to be one of the best in the world with their 3rd place finish in the 2007 Rugby World Cup. For those who miss American Football, this is probably your as close as you’ll get.

Where to watch: This site will help you find games and tournaments for Rugby at every level from 15 year olds and up.

The most important organized play is the Buenos Aires League, in which clubs from the province of Buenos Aires compete. The majority of the clubs are from the northern part of Greater Buenos Aires. Club Atletico San Isidro is consistently one of the best clubs. http://www.casi.org.ar/
Additional information at the Unión Argentina de Rugby website

Other Sports-
Baseball: The Shankees play every Saturday during their season and are happy to see new players join if you are interested. A bus transports players, fans and curious onlookers from a meeting point near the zoo every Saturday or Sunday afternoon.

Boxing: Many gyms around town teach it, but we recommend you watch the professionals at Luna Park (Bouchard 465).

Horse Racing: Hipodromo Palermo (Av. Del Libertador 4101)