EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — The El Paso Chihuahuas unveiled a new temporary name and uniform change as they will be playing as the El Paso Matachines for the next few months.
The Matachines identity is a tribute to a cultural tradition long recognized across the Paso del Norte region, as it honors a centuries-old ceremonial dance tradition found throughout the Southwest United States and Northern Mexico.
The dances are accompanied by drums and the rhythmic sounds of ankle rattles known as ayoyotes, and they tell stories of faith, cultural resilience, and identity passed down through generations of families in the region.
The newly revealed identity is the latest chapter in the Chihuahuas’ participation in Minor League Baseball’s Copa de la Diversión, a season-long initiative that celebrates Hispanic culture and its connection to baseball, family, and community.
The program focuses on increasing awareness, authentic engagement, and attendance among Hispanic fans while enhancing the ballpark experience to reflect those values.
“Our marketing and promotions team challenged themselves to reinvent what Copa de la Diversión can look like in El Paso,” said Chihuahuas President and General Manager Brad Taylor. “From that challenge, we sought to pay tribute to our culture, traditions, and community. Matachines perfectly capture the elements that bring our community together: faith, celebration, music, and dance. We are honored to represent this as our new Copa brand.”
The team revealed the new brand along with uniforms, logos, and related retail items on Thursday during a festive mini kermés celebration at Southwest University Park.
The team’s new logos and uniforms draw inspiration from traditional Matachines attire and symbolism, as the primary logo features a character wearing a skull mask and dressed as a Matachines dancer, complete with a colorful feathered headdress and ceremonial garments, while holding a baseball.
The Chihuahuas first joined the Copa de la Diversión shortly after it was introduced at the start of the 2018 season as Los Chihuahuas, later becoming the El Paso Margaritas from 2019 to 2022 and the El Paso Strawberry Margaritas from 2023 to 2025.
The Chihuahuas will play as the Matachines during the following games:
Saturday, April 11 at 6:35 p.m. vs. the Albuquerque Isotopes (Colorado Rockies)
Tuesday, May 5 at 6:05 p.m. vs. the Tacoma Rainiers (Seattle Mariners)
Thursday, May 21 at 6:35 p.m. vs. the Round Rock Express (Texas Rangers)
Thursday, July 2 at 6:35 p.m. vs. the Sacramento River Cats (San Francisco Giants)
Friday, August 14 at 6:35 p.m. vs. the Salt Lake Bees (Los Angeles Angels), with a Matachines bobblehead giveaway
Thursday, September 3 at 6:35 p.m. vs. the Las Vegas Aviators (Athletics), with a Matachines cap giveaway
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