The Cusco Derby! Club Cienciano v Deportivo Garcilaso
- David Richardson
- Feb 22
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 9
The second game of my trip to Peru was the Classico Cusqueno between rival Cusco teams Cienciano and Deportivo Garcilaso. I seemed to be the only tourist who was in town for the match and not en route to Machu Picchu! The match was entertaining for a neutral with the away side Garcilaso winning 3-2. These are the two biggest sides in Cusco and both play at Estadio Inca Garcilaso de la Vega. In addition, there is a relatively new club called Cusco FC which also plays in the Peruvian First Division
Cienciano was founded in 1901 and is among the oldest clubs in Peru. It’s most famous victories came in 2003 when it defeated River Plate in the final of the 2003 Copa Suda America and in 2004 when it defeated Boca Juniors in the Recopa. You won’t get many Boca or river funds mentioning this! The two victories are signified by the gold stars above the club crest.
Match Facts Table
How to buy tickets for Club Cienciano
I bought tickets for this match through the Joinus website, a ticket portal for sporting events and concerts in Peru. After a few attempts, I was able to pay by credit card and was sent a digital ticket. I chose to sit in the Occidental sector, which cost 55 Soles (£12) - there were also vendors selling tickets outside the stadium, although I'm not sure how legitimate these were. Entering the ground was straightforward, and I didn't have to show my ID.
How to get to Estadio Inca Garcilaso de la Vega
From Plaza Mayor in the city centre, it's an easy 25-minute walk to the stadium. Outside there were a few cafes and small restaurants and the usual street food but no bars. If you want a pre-match beer your best option is the bars in the city centre.
Intensity Level - Low
Although it was a derby, it was very relaxed with both sets of fans mingling outside and even inside some parts of the stadium, a very enjoyable experience and I felt comfortable throughout.
Cusco Map - Key Locations
Tips For Visiting the Stadium
No belts are permitted - don't wear one !
Buy a poncho if visiting during the rainy season - there's no cover in the stadium. You will find vendors selling them outside.
I didn't see any toilets in my sector which led to a speedy walk back to my hotel (there must be one somewhere!)
Where to buy the club shirt
It was difficult to find an official Cienciano shirt. I ended up taking an Uber to the Real Plaza Cusco shopping mall, around 4 km from the centre. I found a few stores here selling the latest Cinciano shirt and paid 209 soles (£44), quite expensive for Peru. I also found a New Athletic store here which was selling shirts of other Peruvian teams. Undoubtedly, the best deal I found was in the Walon store in the city centre which had discounts on previous season's shirts. I bought three shirts here for 130 Soles (£28), including a Sporting Garcilaso one - I wish I'd bought more now! If you just want a fake shirt, you will find them everywhere in the streets around the Mercado Central.
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