Santiago Arau's Aerial Photos of Mexican Soccer Fields in 'La Cancha'

Aerial photographer Santiago Arau captures soccer fields across Mexico in his exhibition 'La Cancha' (The Field), on view at Nave Generadores of Centro de las Artes in Monterrey from May 29 to August 23, 2026. The series documents stadiums hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup—Mexico is the first country to host the tournament three times—as well as remote fields on mountaintops, near borders, and in jungles. Arau treats all fields with equal admiration, highlighting soccer as a unifying force in a country marked by disparity. The exhibition traces the sport's roots back to the Mesoamerican ballgame and includes images of fireworks at a packed local league final. Arau notes that soccer fields serve as multifunctional community spaces for markets, gatherings, and concerts.