How to Reach the Palacio de los Deportes for the UNAM Exam

The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) will hold the second mandatory admission test—the Control Exam—for the 2026-2027 undergraduate cycle exclusively at the Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City. A total of 53,568 applicants have been assigned to the venue across three days: Monday 17, Tuesday 18 and Wednesday 19 August. Students can now check their exact date, time and seat through the 'TU SITIO' portal on the university's admissions website.

The Palacio de los Deportes sits in the Iztacalco borough, within easy reach of several public transport links. The closest Metro station is Velódromo on Line 9 (brown line). From the station, follow signs or the crowd heading towards the Magdalena Mixhuca and Añil area to reach the main entrances. Metrobús riders can get off at Goma station, which is just a short walk from the venue. For those driving, the recommended route is to take the Viaducto Miguel Alemán and then head to Avenida Río Piedad; the access roads are Calle Añil and Avenida Río Churubusco in the Granjas México neighbourhood.

Because this is the only exam site in the capital, tens of thousands of students will converge on the same location each day. Authorities are advising aspirants to plan their journey in advance to avoid delays, particularly during peak morning hours when traffic around the arena can be heavy.

Why the UNAM Exam Is at a Sports Arena This Year

From Irregularity to a One-Venue Re-Test

The Control Exam is a direct consequence of the irregularities that marred the regular UNAM admissions test earlier in 2026. Those problems prompted the university to organise a second, more tightly controlled sitting, and to concentrate all Mexico City candidates in a single, large-capacity venue where the examination can be properly supervised. The Palacio de los Deportes, normally a concert and sports arena, was chosen because it can accommodate thousands of desks in a single hall while maintaining strict access control.

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The shift from decentralised exam centres to one giant location is unusual for Mexican university admissions. It brings logistical challenges—crowd management, transport links, ID checks—but it also strips away the variability that may have contributed to the earlier incidents. For students, the venue change means a longer commute for many, but also a clear, uniform process that should reduce the risk of further anomalies.

Given that 53,568 aspirants are all scheduled across just three days, the daily throughput will be enormous. The university has not publicly detailed contingency plans for severe weather or transport disruptions, but the choice of a site with a Metro station essentially at its doorstep and a Metrobús stop nearby suggests a deliberate effort to keep arrivals manageable.

Your Exam-Day Travel Checklist

  • Check your exact exam slot on the DGAE 'TU SITIO' portal now—your time may be morning or afternoon, which changes your travel plan and the crowds you face.
  • If using the Metro, aim to exit at Velódromo (Line 9). The walk to the Palacio de los Deportes takes about five to seven minutes; signs and university staff should guide you from there.
  • If the Metrobús is more convenient, get off at Goma station (Line 2). From there, the entrance on Calle Añil is a very short walk.
  • Drivers: use the Viaducto Miguel Alemán, then turn north onto Avenida Río Piedad; parking around the arena is limited and likely to fill early, so allow extra time to find alternative parking and walk from nearby streets.
  • On exam day, leave significantly earlier than you think. Even with good transport links, the sheer volume of 53,000 students over three days can cause bottlenecks at station exits and venue security checks.