Enjoying the Culture 191as Claudio Bravo, Humberto Suazo, Gary Medel and Alexis
Sanchez. The biggest teams are Colo Colo, Catholic University
and University of Chile. Marcelo ‘Matador’ Salas and Iván
‘Bam Bam’ Zamorano are local and international heroes.
Matías Fernández is the big newcomer.
Soccer games are indeed an event, complete with fireworks
and giant flags. Chilean soccer fans are very enthusiastic
and the stadiums are full an hour and a half before the
game. While there is no major gang problem in Chile, some
gangs have formed among soccer supporters. At games
the fans wear the colours of their team and sit in specific
sections of the stadium. You should be aware that fights
and violence can erupt when fierce rivals play one another.
Do not be surprised to see lots of policemen at a soccer
game. The official soccer season runs from March through
December with two major championships—the Opening
Championship (Campeonato de Apetura) and the Official
Championship. Matches are usually held on Saturday and
Sunday, occasionally on Wednesday, generally at 4:00 pm.
Tennis
Chileans enjoy other sports
as well, although their cost is
prohibitive for many. Sports
such as polo, rugby, golf and
Although many have the impres-
sion that cockfighting is popular
in Latin America, it is illegal in
Chile and not common. The same
applies to bull fighting which was
banned in the 19th century.