Great Ball Court

Experience the Great Ball Court—Chichén Itzá’s enormous and acoustically perfect arena where the Maya played sacred games.

Brief History: This is the largest and most impressive ball court in all of Mesoamerica. The Maya played a sacred ballgame known as “pok-ta-pok” here, which often had religious or even sacrificial implications. Notable Features: The court is 168 meters long and flanked by 8-meter-high walls. On each wall are stone rings through which players had to pass a rubber ball—using only their hips. Intricate carvings along the sides depict players in elaborate costumes, and some suggest post-game sacrifice scenes. Fun Fact: The acoustics are so refined that a whisper from one end can be clearly heard on the other—an astonishing feat of ancient engineering. Visitor Info: Open to walk through and explore. Visitors often pause to test the acoustics or view the bas-reliefs closely.