FOOTBALL
IN MEDELLÍN
Your guide to playing football in Medellín
11th Oct 2024 (Updated 11th May 2026) | 3-min read
The football pitches of Unidad Deportiva de Belén
It's Latin America, it's Colombia, and with two big clubs, football is, of course, a big deal in Medellín. (By the way, pick your team: Atlético Nacional (aka Nacional) or Independiente Deportivo Medellín (aka DIM))! To the North American readers out there, I am, of course, talking about soccer!
How can I play football in Medellín?
Medellín boasts an abundance of football pitches in sports complexes or local neighbourhoods all over the city. The best way to get started with playing football in Medellín - aside from simply approaching people on these pitches (!) - is to join a WhatsApp group. I’m listing two that I know of.
Futbol En Tu Ciudad: How does the group work?
Futbol En Tu Ciudad is a WhatsApp group of Colombians and expats. Casual/pickup games are shared all across the city, so expect to see games in the classic expat and digital nomad locations of Poblado, Envigado and Laureles, for example. Games are typically anywhere from 7-a-side to 11-a-side. There’s often no charge since renting football pitches at municipal unidades deportivas (sports complexes) is free. If there is a cost to play, you might only be looking at 10,000 COP for an hour’s game.
The group is a little different from other football groups you may be familiar with, as people often only post when they’re looking for a player or two to fill spots (cupos) of a game they’re already playing in. You don’t see too many posts where someone proposes a game, location and date and creates a “sign-up sheet” for people to add their names.
Join the Fútbol En Tu Ciudad WhatsApp group to find a game
Note: The WhatsApp group link often changes, but you can always try futbolentuciudad on Instagram instead.
Un Toque: How does the group work?
Un Toque is run through Instagram and WhatsApp. The group organises football games every day of the week in Poblado and Envigado for both men and women, with a weekly women’s game on Mondays.
The Poblado pitches are in Altos del Poblado and El Tesoro; the Envigado pitches are at the Viva shopping centre and up near Las Palmas.
Sign up for games via the Instagram or WhatsApp of Un Toque. (You can access the WhatsApp group link from their Instagram.)
By the way, Un Toque also organises regular beach volleyball games.
Are there any expat football leagues in Medellín?
There are no expat football leagues that I’m aware of. However, there are local leagues and tournaments that some expats play in, but I don’t have any information to provide.
Aside from asking people you meet in Medellín who play football, I recommend exploring the Medellin Expats Facebook group. You’ll find a lot of people have already asked about playing football, and others have shared links to football WhatsApp groups they’ve created.
One of the more spectacular football pitches in Medellín!
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