La Paz is shutting down traffic along its waterfront malecón starting at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday to make way for crowds gathering to watch Mexico’s 2026 World Cup match. The city launched the operation under the name “En La Paz Sí Festejo Seguro” (Safe Celebration in La Paz), converting the popular Paseo Álvaro Obregón into a pedestrian zone for the evening.
The road closures will roll out in two phases. The first, from Agustín Arriola to 5 de Mayo, takes effect at 5:00 p.m. A broader shutdown expands the closure from Antonio Rosales to Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla at 6:30 p.m. Calle 16 de Septiembre and Calle Mutualismo are also affected.
Multiple Agencies Deployed Along Waterfront
The municipal government is coordinating traffic police, state police (Policía Estatal), the Guardia Nacional, Civil Protection, and paramedic teams along the waterfront. Acting mayor Amor Fenech Montaño said the goal is to ensure a safe, family-friendly environment for fans watching the match.
Authorities warned that closures may be extended or adjusted depending on crowd size. Anyone driving to or through the malecón area Tuesday evening should use alternate routes and expect heavy pedestrian traffic.
Mexico Advances in World Cup as Co-Host
Mexico clinched the top spot in Group A of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the country is co-hosting alongside the United States and Canada. The team’s knockout stage matches have sparked public celebrations across the country, and La Paz is joining cities nationwide in organizing viewing events.
The La Paz malecón stretches about 5.5 kilometers along the Bay of La Paz, running from Marina de la Paz in the south toward Playa Coromuel in the north. The promenade is lined with restaurants, bars, and open-air seating areas that typically fill during major sporting events. Several of the cross streets affected by the closures lead directly into the downtown commercial district.
Drivers coming from the south or east side of town can bypass the closure zone by using Boulevard Forjadores or Calle Abasolo to reach destinations beyond the waterfront. The city has not announced a specific time for reopening the roads, saying that will depend on how quickly crowds disperse after the match.
This story was first reported by the La Paz municipal government news portal, noticias.lapaz.gob.mx.