About 2,000 San Diego soccer fans paid for a game between former Chivas and Club América stars —two of the most emblematic Mexican teams— but the game never happened.

Now many who bought tickets are demanding an explanation.

The so-called Súper Clásico de Leyendas was scheduled for last Sunday afternoon at Southwestern College. Some of the expected famous names were Ramón Ramírez from Chivas and Luis Roberto Alves Zague from Club América.

But after a few hours with no players it became clear that the game was not going to happen. The event was supposed to start at 4 p.m. but players came around 7 p.m.


Ticket prices ranged from $15 to $45, and there was a $100 VIP section for fans to watch the game at field level and get photographs and autographs with players.

Some people in the crowd yelled that they wanted their money back and many others posted critical comments on social media.

The crowd calmed down when, almost three hours after the match was to begin, some players went onto the field and chatted with people who remained at the stadium.

Such was the look of the stadium stands at Southwestern College as fans waited for an explanation on Sunday, September 8, 2019. (Cortesía)


Some people settled for an autograph or a selfie. But some fans continued to demand their money back.

“This was a rip-off; I don’t think there’s another way to say it,” said Fernando Solórzano, a Chivas fan who went to the game. “If you pay for an event and it did not happen, it’s a trick. Then I would expect the promoter to show up and reimburse the money.”

On Tuesday, an apology was issued on the “Super Clasico Leyendas Chula Vista” Facebook page for the game cancellation.


“We apologize that the main match was not played on Sunday. Although all of the players did arrive and hold an autograph session at the stadium, it was too late to begin the match,” the post reads.

Arturo Castañares, promoter of the event, said in a telephone interview that the main match had to be canceled because players arrived too late. He said he could not say why they were late.

Some players had made appearances at other local events before the match was to start.

Castañares said the cost of the tickets will not be reimbursed because some was collected at the entrance and there is no way to check who had a ticket.


Sample of one of the tickets for the Super Classic of Legends that was cut at the entrance of the stadium. (Alexandra Mendoza/UT en Español)

Also some people, like Solórzano, still had half their tickets that were torn at the entrance, and others claimed to have receipts after paying with a credit card.

Castañares said they also would not get refunds.

“It wouldn’t be fair to return the money to a few and not to 2,000,” said Castañares.


He added that those who purchased tickets online were required to check a box indicating that they were warned there would be no refunds if the game were postponed or canceled.

Castañares said the game will be rescheduled with some of the same players. To partially compensate for the damage, it will be free, he said.

“We owe them a match, and this one will be free,” he said.

Anyone with a ticket to the canceled game will be placed in a VIP area, he added.


There is no set date for the match. Castañares said he promises to announce it once a new venue and the players who will attend are confirmed.

Castañares denied claims in social media that the match did not take place because players were not paid.

He said that foreign soccer players cannot receive payment in the United States unless they have work visas. He said he paid for players’ transportation, hotel and other accommodations.

A day before the Sunday game, a similar match was held in Reno, Nevada in front 5,000 fans, without problems, Castañares said.