VANCOUVER. Performers and crowds at the Lucha Libre Spectacular festival at the Waldorf Hotel in East Vancouver on August 1-2, 2026.. The annual event runs each August long weekend and hosts Lucha Libre (Mexican wrestling) performers from Canada, Mexico and the U.S. Photo by Nathan Griffiths

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Wrestlers from Mexico, Canada and the U.S. descended on east Vancouver for two days of masks, music and acrobatic mayhem over the August long weekend.

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The eighth annual Lucha Libra Spectacular: Loco Ocho, organized by local wresting promoter WrestleCore, brought more than 1,200 people to the Waldorf Hotel for what is billed as Canada’s largest outdoor Lucha Libre street party.

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“This year we’ve broken yet another (attendance) record,” said Steve Cvjetkovich (a.k.a. Kobra Kai), WrestleCore’s founder.

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Fans at the Lucha Libre Spectacular on Aug. 1, 2026. Photo by Nathan Griffiths

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Cvjetkovich, who trained as a pro wrestler in Mexico before launching his career as a promoter, called fans of the event “the best people in the world.”

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“I don’t know if they’re wrestling fans or not, but they’re they’re they’re fans of what we do, and we’re fans of them being there,” he said.

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A wrestler performs a backflip during a match. Photo by Nathan Griffiths

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Bouts don’t always stay inside the ring. Photo by Nathan Griffiths

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Lucha Libre is a style of professional wrestling from Mexico, famous for colourful masks and high-flying aerial techniques, including backflips, somersaults and flying kicks.

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“I love working here,” said luchador Ciclon Ramirez, who, along with several others, travelled from Mexico City to perform. (Ciclon is a stage name. Traditionally, luchadors keep their identities a secret unless they are “unmasked” and defeated in a fight.)

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“The fans are super excited to be here,” he said. “The energy, the heat they bring to us is great.”

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Ciclon Ramirez pins el Tigre Blanco during a match. Photo by Nathan Griffiths

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A tag team match. Photo by Nathan Griffiths /PNG

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Crowds at the Lucha Libre Spectacular on Aug. 1, 2026. Photo by Nathan Griffiths

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Ramirez comes from a family of luchadors. His father, son, uncles and cousin are all wrestlers and he can trace his family history back to Hurricane Ramirez, a famous professional wrestler and actor.

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Ramirez has been wrestling for 20 years and has performed in countries across the globe. He said interest in wrestling, and Lucha Libra in particular, is at an all-time high.

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“Not only is it that we’re travelling to different places and showing what we can do, but now it’s the fans that are coming to Mexico City to watch,” he said.

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“It’s opened many doors for us and for other wrestlers,” he said.

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Ciclon Ramirez signs a mask for a fan. Photo by Nathan Griffiths

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A luchador celebrates victory after a mask vs. mask bout. Photo by Nathan Griffiths

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The festival also includes music and dance performances. Photo by Nathan Griffiths

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