Estadio Azteca

Estadio Azteca is an iconic stadium, rich with history. Here, football greats such as Pele and Diego Maradona lifted both FIFA World Cup trophies twice! The stadium can be breathtaking to look at during an event, yet traversing it can be taxing due to all its steps and ramps.

The World Cup in Mexico

Estadio Azteca played host to two FIFA World Cup tournaments – first in 1970 and again in 1986 – occupying an important place in football’s history and being home to both Pele and Diego Maradona’s triumphant victories at that tournament. Pedro Ramirez Vasquez and his team began designing what would become one of the world’s most celebrated stadiums during the years leading up to the 1970 tournament, taking inspiration from European and South American stadiums as they constructed something truly iconic and unlike anything seen anywhere else in the world. Influences from Spanish, English and French architecture were combined into this design for something truly unparalleled and original in terms of form and function. As it was a massive undertaking, starting the stadium project took time and patience. 180 million kilograms of rock needed to be removed from the land before suitable soil could be laid on which to build it on. But by 1962 the foundation had been laid and work had officially started on site. Once completed, the Estadio Azteca had a seating capacity of over 100,000 – making it one of the world’s largest stadiums at that time. Furthermore, it was one of the first stadiums constructed from concrete and had retractable roofs; thus becoming one of the pioneering developments. At the 1970 World Cup held in Mexico, Azteca Stadium hosted 10 matches – including the final. This marked Mexico’s inaugural edition of men’s World Cup competition and set an important precedent. By 1986, when Mexico hosted their own tournament again, this stadium held a special place in Mexicans’ hearts. As it hosted the final, Maradona led Argentina to take an early two-goal advantage before West Germany scored twice through Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Rudi Voller to restore parity. As it stands now, Estadio Azteca remains active as a venue and remains deeply tied to the World Cup – it was first used for matches during Pele and Diego Maradona’s triumphant World Cup wins!

The Hand of God

Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca may not have as long of a history as Old Trafford and Camp Nou; yet its significance cannot be overstated as a monument to one club alone; rather it stands as a powerful testament to soccer itself and its transformative power. This stadium was originally known as Estadio Nacional until 1966, when its name was altered due to a fierce rivalry between then-multinational television conglomerate Televisa and TV Azteca sports channel that bore the same name. Additionally, its new moniker pays homage to ancient Aztec culture which many Mexicans feel a strong affinity towards. Since opening its doors in 1966, the Azteca has witnessed many memorable moments of football history. Notable examples are its two World Cup finals between Brazil and Argentina which saw Pele win Jules Rimet trophy in 1970 and Diego Maradona score his iconic “Hand of God” goal in 1986. Not only has the stadium been home to some of the greatest players in football history, it has also served as host venue for multiple Olympic Games and several CONCACAF Champions League finals. Furthermore, it serves as the largest stadium in Latin America – its initial capacity was over 105,000 although this has since decreased with new seats being replaced over time. Playing at Estadio Azteca can be a difficult challenge even for the greatest teams, due to its high altitude and hot and humid weather conditions. Acclimatization may take longer for both players and coaches than expected; therefore it is wise to arrive early when attending games at the Estadio Azteca; typically grounds open five hours prior to kickoff for fans with food trucks, sponsor exhibits, live music performances available to pass the time until kickoff begins. Frank Klopas never got the opportunity to play at Azteca during his active playing days but still understands all it takes to prepare a team for matches there. While coaching Montreal Impact in 2015, Klopas sought advice from former US national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann regarding how best to approach playing there.

The Goal of the Century

Estadio Azteca stands out among soccer venues as one of those that have transformed players into gods over the course of history, creating godlike figures who became legendary figures such as Diego Maradona. This stadium of social frenzy and divine worship has long spelled doom for any CONCACAF foe who enters its hallowed grounds – such as England – but also famously witnessed two iconic goals by Diego Maradona that ended up eliminating them in 1986 World Cup quarter-finals: Hand of God goal and “Goal of the Century,” both famously scored by Diego Maradona against England – two goals known for social frenzy and divine cult. Estadio Azteca has long been considered the spiritual home of Mexican soccer, but recently has also hosted NFL matches and major events. On October 2, 2005 an encounter between San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals marked the inaugural regular season NFL league match outside of America and attracted an unprecedented record crowd of 103,467 spectators. Furthermore, Michael Jackson held his Dangerous world tour there in 1993 which attracted over 600,000. Former Montreal Impact coach and US player Frank Klopas once noted that Estadio Azteca is one of the toughest stadiums to win games at, even for teams with superior talent. Klopas pointed out the altitude in Mexico City as well as how its slope makes it harder for balls to travel quickly towards goals with precision and control. Furthermore, its unique layout can make defense challenging due to proximity of pitch to fans. Over the years, the stadium has been altered numerous times to meet changing demands of football. For instance, its seating capacity was expanded from 105,000 to 115,000 for the 1986 World Cup, while Grupo Televisa invested heavily in turning Foro Azteca into a sports and entertainment hub by installing office spaces, hotels, shopping areas and leisure facilities. Furthermore, for 2010 World Cup renovations new media boxes and private skyboxes were constructed for media broadcasters to use during matches.

The Final

As soon as it opened its doors in 1966, Estadio Azteca was heralded as one of the world’s most spectacular stadiums. Since then it has hosted two FIFA World Cup finals; Brazil defeated Italy 4-1 in 1970 before Argentina edged past West Germany 3-2 in 1986. Additionally it serves as home for Mexico national football team and Liga MX’s Club America, one of Mexico’s most-loved clubs. No wonder this place has been called a soccer cathedral; its reverence for a sport that can transform players into gods with one brilliant performance is palpable here. Ronaldinho’s farewell performance at Estadio de San Jose was truly legendary, joining Pele, Maradona and Cuauhtemoc Blanco in entering soccer heaven after death. The Valley of Mexico is an immense, intimidating space that can be an unnerving experience for visiting teams. The heat and altitude make the ball difficult to move forward while fans eagerly anticipate any miscues by their heroes. Although modifications to air quality have helped teams adjust quicker, it remains challenging for all involved to adjust quickly enough. Even if you don’t consider yourself a soccer enthusiast, experiencing Estadio Azteca as a spectator is truly captivating. From witnessing a full stadium during a major event to seeing Mexican players use the crowd as part of their arsenal to win games… It is truly unforgettable. However, it should be remembered that the upper levels of the stadium are enclosed with chain-link fences featuring barbed wire on top, in order to prevent fans from throwing things or themselves into lower seating levels. Atmospheric effects enhance the atmosphere, but can make viewing from upper deck seats difficult. Lower levels offer much better views for an unforgettable experience that shouldn’t be missed! If you like what you read, check out our other FIFA 26 World Cup articles here.