Chivas and Xolos wait nearly two hours to kick off at the Akron amid rain and lightning

The clock struck 5:00 p.m. and the public address system at Estadio Akron already had bad news to deliver: Chivas' match against Xolos was not going to start on time. Rain had taken over the field, and the game corresponding to Matchday 5 of the Apertura 2026 had to wait.

The original kickoff was set for 5:07 p.m., but the playing surface was not in condition. The first announcement mentioned a delay of at least ten minutes, giving the drainage system time to clear the standing water so the ball could roll without trouble. The new kickoff time was set for 5:17 p.m. However, just as that time approached, a second announcement came through: there was a lightning storm in the area, and the match was suspended again.

That's when the wait truly dragged on. Nearly two hours, to be exact. It was not until 6:47 p.m. that Liga MX confirmed the final start time, after Civil Protection gave its authorization following a review of the field conditions and the weather. The problem wasn't just the rain that had already fallen, it kept coming down in the meantime, so in several areas of the pitch the water prevented the ball from moving normally. Officials had to wait for the storm to ease and for the drainage system to do its job.

Sound familiar? This isn't the first time something like this has happened at the Akron. The most recent precedent came on September 17, 2025, when Chivas and Tigres also had their match postponed due to bad weather. On that occasion, the game kicked off an hour and 45 minutes late, though it was ultimately completed without major issues. The stadium's drainage system, renovated with World Cup requirements in mind, held up well that night. Now, the infrastructure was being put to the test once again.

A match with the flavor of a new era

Beyond the weather, this match against Xolos carried special significance for Guadalajara: it was the team's first game since the departure of Armando "Hormiga" Gonzalez to European soccer was confirmed. The forward was announced that very same day as a new signing for Olympiacos of Greece, so Chivas had to start searching for offensive solutions without one of its most important pieces of the last few tournaments, on a night already marked by rain and uncertainty over the kickoff time.