Located in Coyoacán, Mexico City, Estadio Azteca is iconic for being the only stadium in history to have hosted two FIFA World Cup tournaments — the 1970 competition won by Brazil and the 1986 edition, in which Argentina were victors.
It was during the 1996 World Cup final that Diego Maradona scored two goals: the controversial ‘Hand of God’, and his incredible solo effort often called the ‘Goal of the Century’ as Argentina defeated England 2-1 to win the tournament.
Estadio Azteca is set to host five matches during the World Cup, including three group-stage and two knockout-round matches.
It would become the first stadium to host three FIFA World Cup tournaments by the time the competition begins in June, further cementing the venue’s reputation as one of the most iconic stadiums in the world.
Construction of the arena began in 1961 and opened in 1966, at a cost of Mex$260 million. It has since undergone renovations in 1986, 1999, 2013, and 2016, as well as between 2024 and 2026 in preparation for the tournament.
Some of the revamping being done ahead of the World Cup includes remodelling all stands, installing new seats, improving distribution and visibility in each sector of the stadium, and implementing drainage and aeration technology to guarantee the best quality of matches.
The stadium has also been equipped with high-performance LED lighting, More than 1,200 Wi-Fi 6 antennas, a security system with video surveillance cameras and an updated sound system.
These innovations position the Banorte Stadium as one of the most technologically advanced stadiums in Latin America, according to the stadium’s website.
It added that as part of its modernisation process, the stadium has adopted the name Estadio Banorte, under a long-term sponsorship agreement. This change marks a new chapter in the stadium’s history, which remains an icon of Mexican sport.
Estadio Azteca is 2,200 metres above sea level, which affects players’ stamina and performance. It features a seating capacity of 87,000, 856 executive suites, and a hybrid grass playing field surface composed of natural grass combined with artificial fibres.
The arena is the official home of Liga MX side Club América and, occasionally, the Mexico national team. Other football teams that have called the stadium home are Cruz Azul, Necaxa, Atlante and Atletico Espanol.
The stadium has hosted other iconic events, including National Football League games, the 1968 Summer Olympic Games, and the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
In 2015, late Nigerian televangelist Pastor T.B. Joshua held a two-day crusade at the arena, drawing a massive 150,000 attendees across the two days.
