The Invisible Championship: Medellín's Street Games That Don't Exist on Google

What it is and context

In Medellín, while tourists search Google for "plans in El Poblado" or "best rooftops," there is another championship that doesn't appear on any map. It has no website, doesn't sell tickets on TuBoleta, and isn't covered by any traditional media outlet. It is the invisible championship: street competitions played on corners, in parks, and on sidewalks throughout the city, with rules that are unwritten but known by heart to all participants.

These tournaments are not new. They have existed since Medellín has been Medellín. But in April 2026, they remain the true pulse of the neighborhoods. There are no gold medals or crystal trophies here. There is money, respect, and sometimes a nice cold beer for the winner. If you are a non-conventional athlete or an urban sociologist, this article will interest you. Because what follows is not a list of tourist events. It is a guide to entering a world that Google does not index.

Unwritten rules of the 'Tejo humano' in Robledo

Let's start with Robledo, one of the largest and most traditional communes for street games. There, in the tejo courts of the Aures and Villa Flora neighborhoods, a variant was born that locals call "tejo humano." It is not the traditional tejo with fuses and gunpowder. It is a mix of aim, endurance, and strategy played with real people as "pieces."

How is it played?

Two teams of five people are formed. On a field marked with chalk or masking tape (any flat surface works), each team places three of its members in fixed positions. The other two throw a size 5 soccer ball from a throwing line. The objective: to knock down the opposing team's "pawns." If you hit a player below the knee, that player is eliminated. If the ball bounces and hits another, they are also out. The match ends when a team has no "pawns" left or after 15 minutes.

• Throwing the ball at the head is not allowed. It is an automatic foul and the thrower is out for one round.
• If the ball leaves the perimeter, the turn passes to the other team.
• The "pawns" cannot move from their spot, but they can deflect the ball with their hands if it comes straight at their face.
• Bets are in cash. Generally, each player puts in between $5,000 and $10,000 COP. The winning team takes it all.

The tejo humano tournaments have no fixed date. They are organized on weekends, almost always on Saturday afternoons, when people are off work or school. To find one, you have to ask at the neighborhood stores in Robledo or follow the Instagram accounts of the community action boards. Don't expect a nice flyer. The call is word of mouth.

The underground domino league with cash bets

If there is a sport that moves serious money in Medellín, it is dominoes. But not the kind played with family on Sundays. I'm talking about the underground league that operates in bars and cantinas in neighborhoods like Manrique, Buenos Aires, and La 13. Here, they don't play for points. They play for bills.

How does it work?

The league has no official name. Participants call it "the domino round" or "the circuit." They meet in places that look like warehouses, with worn wooden tables and plastic chairs. Each game is best of three. The minimum bet is $20,000 COP per person, but at the big tables (the "high-risk" ones), it reaches $100,000 COP per player.

• The one who doubles the tile (the one with the highest double) speaks first. It is not negotiable.
• If a player takes more than 30 seconds to play, they lose their turn and their team plays with one less tile.
• Lies are paid for. If you accuse someone of not having a tile and it turns out they do, you automatically lose the game.
• The shouting and complaining are part of the show. Don't be offended. It's the way to pressure the opponent.

To get into a game, it's not enough to just show up and sit down. You have to be introduced by someone trustworthy. The bar owners are the "gatekeepers." If they like you and you show you know how to play, they invite you to the table. If not, you watch. The big tournaments happen every two or three months, almost always in December or during Medellín's Independence festivities (August). But there are games every day, from 5 pm until dawn.

Lightning spinning top championships in public spaces

The spinning top is not just a child's toy. In Medellín, there is an adult scene that takes it very seriously. The lightning spinning top championships take place in parks like Parque de los Deseos, Parque de la Iglesia de San Antonio, and the Unidad Deportiva de Belén. There is no official call. Someone simply arrives with a top, starts playing, and within half an hour there are 15 people around.

How do you compete?

There are two modes. The first is "by fingertip": you throw the top and measure who keeps it spinning the longest. The second is "hopscotch": a circle is drawn on the ground and you throw the top trying to make it land inside the circle and keep spinning. The one whose top spins the longest inside the circle wins.

• You don't need your own top. There is always someone who lends one, but don't expect it to be good quality. If you want to compete seriously, get a guayacán wood top, which is the heaviest and spins the longest.
• The bets are symbolic: a soda, a bag of chips, or $5,000 COP. Big money isn't played because the top is more a game of skill than financial risk.
• The lightning tournaments happen without notice. Sunday mornings are the best time. If you see a group of older adults (yes, older adults) with tops in hand, go over. They are the masters.

A curious fact: at Parque de los Deseos, there is a man known as "Don Toño" who has been playing top for 40 years. He organizes an unofficial championship every July 20th, Independence Day. There is no registration. You just show up and play. Last year, according to attendees, more than 60 people participated.

How to participate without breaking local protocols

If you are a foreigner or an outsider, getting into these circles can be complicated. Not because they are closed, but because they have codes that are unwritten. Here are the golden rules to avoid messing up:

Arrive with respect, not arrogance

Don't show up saying "I play better than you." In Medellín, that is interpreted as disrespect. Instead, ask: "Can I play a hand?" or "Can you teach me how you do it?" People value humility. If you show you know, they will accept you quickly.

Don't take out your phone immediately

Recording or taking photos without permission is frowned upon. These are informal spaces, not tourist attractions. If you want to document, ask for permission first and offer to share the photos with the participants. That builds trust.

Know when to leave

In dominoes, if you are losing money, don't insist. Locals know when to stop. If you stay until they take your shirt off your back, you'll look desperate. In tejo humano, if you get tired, let them know and switch positions. No one will judge you.

Speak Spanish, but don't fear the accent

You don't need to speak like a local. Just saying "parcero" or "bacano" every now and then will make people treat you well. If you don't know a word, ask. People here are cool and will explain.

Bring cash

In these games, there is no card machine. Bets are in $2,000, $5,000, $10,000, and $20,000 COP bills. Don't expect to pay with a card. If you don't bring cash, you don't play.

Prices and how to get tickets (or rather, how to get in)

Since these events don't have ticketing, entry is free. But there are associated costs:

• Tejo humano: The bet per person is $5,000 to $10,000 COP. If you don't want to bet, you can watch, but don't expect to be invited

Event details (lineup, schedule, dates)

Street Soccer Ball Games

Insider Tip: Bring your own ball and comfortable sneakers. Here, not only do you play, but friendships are also formed. Don't hesitate to join a local team; the community is very welcoming.

Street Chess Competition

Insider Tip: The most experienced players usually gather at Parque de Los Deseos. If you want to learn, don't be shy and ask for a friendly game. Some of the best chess players in the city are willing to share their knowledge.

Freestyle and Rap on the Corners

Insider Tip: Don't forget to bring your own microphone if you feel like participating. The battles usually start in the late afternoon, and the energy is contagious. Listen and learn from the local rappers; there is always something new to discover.

Skateboarding Competition

Insider Tip: Plaza de la Libertad is the ideal place to see the best skaters in Medellín. If you dare, bring your board and join them. Don't forget that the community values respect and camaraderie.

How to get there

Parque de los Deseos

A popular meeting point where various cultural and sporting events take place. Here you can find young people organizing soccer and basketball games in the afternoons. The energy is contagious and there is always something happening.

Insider Tip: Come on Wednesdays and Fridays in the afternoon, which are usually the most active days for street play. Bring a water bottle and get ready to join the game if you feel like it.

Comuna 13

This neighborhood has transformed into a hub of cultural and sporting activity. You will not only find graffiti and urban art, but also spaces where young people gather to practice parkour, skateboarding, and other urban sports.

Insider Tip: Make sure to take a guided tour of the commune to learn the history behind the games and the art. Local guides are usually well-informed about current events and can take you to the best play areas.

Tips for attendees

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