FRANCO ESCAMILLA LIVE @ THE TOYOTA ARENA

As I made my way into the Toyota Arena parking lot, it almost felt like I was arriving at a massive concert with the sheer number of people filling the lots and heading toward the box office. I’ve had the privilege of attending a concert at Toyota Arena before, and the energy I felt then was exactly what I was experiencing now. But I had to constantly remind myself that I wasn’t here for an ordinary concert—no, I was here for something far funnier. Literally. I was in for a night full of jokes and comedy, because that’s exactly what a comedian like Franco Escamilla delivers when he takes the stage. But never would I have imagined him selling out an arena like this in Ontario, California. Of course, it’s no surprise—Franco Escamilla is a world-renowned sensation. I’ve seen the massive crowds he draws in Mexico, Latin America, and even Europe, but this was my first time witnessing it firsthand in California. His fan base truly showed up to support him, and as this was also my first-ever comedy show, I couldn’t have picked a better place for it than Toyota Arena. As I made my way to my seat, the hallways were packed with people. I’ve heard of comedy shows at bars, but selling out an arena? This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and a testament to how huge Franco Escamilla really is in the comedy world. As I sat down, anticipating a night filled with laughter and the chance to finally see the man I’d watched on YouTube for years, the lights dimmed, and the announcer’s voice filled the arena. The screen on the stage lit up with bright flashes, displaying the numbers “1995” in neon. The more the lights flashed, the more I wondered why he had named the tour “1995” and what its significance was. But before I could dwell on it too much, there he was—the man of the hour, Franco Escamilla.

His outfit choice caught me off guard—unlike his usual fedora or blazer, he came out wearing a Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls jersey. It was a bit unexpected, but it made me laugh early in the show. He stepped to the front of the stage, headbanging, waving at fans, and posing for photos as the entire arena erupted in cheers.

After greeting the crowd, he explained the meaning behind the “1995” tour. He shared how that year was a pivotal moment in his life and career—when he first felt that his dreams were becoming a reality. He could finally afford things he never had before, and he felt like he was beginning to live his dream, even if not fully. He also pointed out that his jersey was an important part of the show because, in 1995, Michael Jordan wasn’t just his favorite player—he was the best player in the world. Franco felt a deep connection to that. Amid all the laughter that night, this moment stood out. Knowing Franco Escamilla’s journey—from performing in bars to selling out theaters and now arenas—it was inspiring to see how far he had come. Even in 1995, when he could have settled into comfort, he wanted to push himself further, break more barriers. And here he was, at Toyota Arena, doing exactly that—performing to an insanely packed crowd.

One of the things that makes Franco Escamilla such a great comedian is his ability to mix personal stories with humor while also calling out his audience on their own experiences. One of my favorite moments of the show was when he talked about his time during the pandemic. He shared a story about his agent suggesting that, since live shows weren’t happening, he should move to Los Angeles to audition for movies and TV shows. So, he did—he moved his entire family to Los Angeles to pursue acting. Then, looking out at the crowd, he asked, “¿Cuántas películas me han visto en?” (How many movies have you seen me in?) He paused before answering his own question: “Ninguna, güey, no manches.” (None, bro, don’t mess with me.) His thick Mexican accent and slang are a huge part of his comedic style, and this moment had the crowd roaring with laughter. Not only did we not know he had moved to L.A. to pursue acting, but we had no idea it hadn’t worked out. He turned that experience into both a personal story and a hilarious part of his set.

Throughout the night, he continued delivering joke after joke—stories from his teenage years, his early struggles as a comedian, and finally, his life around 1995 when he was starting to feel comfortable in his career. As expected, the entire arena was laughing uncontrollably all night. Franco Escamilla is truly one of the greatest Mexican comedians of our time, and seeing him perform at the iconic Toyota Arena was an unforgettable experience—one that might not happen again. It’s rare for a Latino comedian to come to California and unite the Latino community through laughter. More often, it’s Latin music artists who accomplish this, but for a comedian to do it at this scale? That was historic.

Franco Escamilla continues to prove that he’s here to stay, building a legacy for Mexican comedians both past and future. And Toyota Arena, with its track record of hosting legendary events, added another historic night to its resume—one where thousands of Mexican fans from across Los Angeles and the Inland Empire came together for an unforgettable evening of comedy.

Written by: Joseph Hernandez Torrejon