Ball Courts

The Mayan culture invented ball courts in addition to the ball and ball games. A ball court can be found in almost every Maya ruin. In fact, more than 60% have been discovered in the previous 20 years, with over 1300 recognized.

Although the courts vary in size, their construction is consistent throughout a tight alley with horizontal, vertical, and sloping walls on either side, creating a distinctive I-shape. Aside from ball sports, the ceramics depict a wrestling match taking place on these courts.

Furthermore, these courts were also locations for large feasts for the people, however, it is unclear if they were held in the form of ball games or any other event. They were not just places of the show, but also of ritual. Their presence in the city's sacred vicinities attests to their importance as a Mayan asset.

Ball games were not just for fun; it was believed that in the arena, well-fought evil. As the ultimate tie-breaker between the belligerents and the noblemen, it was viewed as a conflict between gods and evils.

The players put on their special equipment and entered the arena. The regulations were vague, except that the balls were passed around using knees, hips, and thighs in order to eventually pass through a stone ring. The winner was whoever rang the ball first, and losers were rarely sacrificed.

In the Chichen Itza pyramid, a ring still hangs 20 feet above the playing alley, making it incredibly difficult for the players to ring it.