Authorities in northern Mexico say gunmen opened fire at a clandestine cockfight arena in the Chihuahua state capital, killing six people and wounding 14.

The state prosecutor's office says in a statement that several masked attackers fired at people gathered at the 'Santa Maria' cockfight club late Saturday off a highway on the southern edge of Chihuahua city.

Prosecutors said Sunday that four victims were killed at the scene and two more died while receiving medical treatment.

Five of the six victims were identified by Milenio as Hector Murillo Tavarez, Josue Otero, Alan Vallina, Leonardo Rodriguez and Daniel Magallanes.

Prosecutors said Sunday that four victims were killed at the scene and two more died while receiving medical treatment (stock image of cockfighting)

Cockfighting is popular in the country and particularly in western Mexico, where every town has a cockfighting ring

Two children ages 7 and 10 were among the wounded. There were no immediate arrests.

Cockfighting is popular in the country and particularly in western Mexico, where every town in the states of Jalisco, Michoacan and Guerrero has a Palenque, or cockfighting ring.

Gambling is a major aspect of the event, and as much as $40,000 can be placed on a single bout. Bookkeepers patrol the stands and take bets. Spectators gamble only on the overall outcome, and all odds are set at 2:1.

While cock fighting is banned in Mexico City and other parts of the country, it remains popular in areas where agriculture supports much of the economy.

In recent years a number of government initiatives have attempted to ban the bloodsport nationwide; threats which have angered the community that makes its living from the spectacle.

The cock fights are a big draw for the narcos, members of Mexican organised crime, who come to high stakes games in order to gamble.

'It's not uncommon to see shoot outs towards the end of an event,' says game cock breeder Juan Carlos, who attends cock fighting festivals across the country in order to keep abreast of his rivals' animals.

'Mix Mexican gangsters with drugs, alcohol and high stakes gambling and you've got a recipe for murder,' Carlos added.