Azteca Stadium: Capacity, Size, Events, Tickets and Legacy

Estadio Azteca is a football stadium located in Coyoacan, Mexico City. The stadium is home of the Mexican side Club America and the Mexico National Team. The stadium sits at an elevation of 2,200 m above sea level. It has a capacity of 87,523. The stadium is the largest in Latin America.

It is a famous and iconic stadium that hosted two World Cup finals. It is the only stadium where two icons of the game Pele and Diego Maradona lifted World Cup trophies. Azteca Stadium was the home of some of the most famous goals scored in the history of the game. It will continue hosting another World Cup in 2026 and create history.

Azteca Stadium is not only limited to football. It also hosted Boxing events, NFL games and multiple musical concerts along with religious events. Let us learn more about the famed Azteca Stadium, its history, capacity, ticket prices and upcoming events in the stadium.

Stadium Name	Estadio Azteca, Azteca Stadium
City	Mexico City
Area	Santa Ursula
Owner	Televisa
Home to	Club America, Mexico National Team
Capacity	87,523
Pitch Size	105 m length by 68 m width
Major Events	Liga MX, FIFA World Cup, Summer Olympics, Women’s World Cup, CONCACAF Championship, FIFA U-17 World Cup, FIFA Confederations Cup, NFL, Boxing, Musical Concerts, Religious Ceremonies

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Introduction

Overview of Azteca Stadium

Azteca Stadium holds a cultural significance in the Latin American world. The stadium is the home of Club America and the Mexico National Team. It was one of the largest structures built in the mid-20^th century in the country. It served as an inspiration to every young footballer in the country to make their mark there.

The stadium also hosted some legendary players and games enhancing its lore all over the world. It became a must-visit tourist attraction for football pilgrims. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will no doubt further put some spotlight on the stadium.

 

Location of Azteca Stadium

Azteca Stadium is located in the Coyoacan borough of Mexico City. The borough was named after Coyotes in the Aztecs. The area also falls in the intersection of the Santa Ursula suburb of the city.

Azteca Stadium

Construction and Opening of Azteca Stadium

The Estadio Azteca was a dream project of the then president Adolfo Lopez Mateos. When Mexico was awarded the hosting rights of the 1968 Summer Olympics, he wanted a major sports venue to usher the city into a new era.

The design responsibility was given to the famous architects Pedro Ramirez Vazquez and Rafel Mijares Alcerreca. They broke the ground in 1961 and completed the construction in less than four years. The stadium was ready to host its first football game in 1966. Local club Club America moved to the stadium and made it their home.

The stadium was named Azteca as a tribute to the Aztec heritage of Mexico City. It is also referred to as “Coloso de Santa Ursula” due to its large structure and the Santa Ursula suburb where the stadium is located.

Mexican President Gustavo Diaz Ordaz made the initial kick as FIFA president Sir Stanley Rous witnessed it. Club America took on Torino on May 29 1966 as the game ended in a 2-2 draw. Floodlights were fitted shortly after making the stadium fit for night games as well.

In 1968, the stadium hosted the finals of the Summer Olympic football tournament and fulfilled its purpose. It hosted two World Cups in 1970 and 1986 and earned a great place in history.

Renovations of Azteca Stadium

The age-old stadium needed major renovations on all fronts. In 2015, the seats within the stadium were replaced. Electronic advertising boards were also installed. In May 2015, modern Panasonic LED panels were installed at the north and south ends replacing the phosphorous panels of 1998.

A major renovation plan was unveiled in 2015 keeping Club America’s centenary 2016 season in mind. It involved building the “Foro Azteca” hub which consisted of a mall, office spaces, two hotels, leisure spaces, parking lots and more corporate boxes. Later on, due to a lack of funds, the hub was scrapped and just the stadium was renovated with new media boxes and sky boxes.

Another round of major work began in 2024 as the stadium gears up for the 2026 World Cup. It is the biggest facelift of the stadium since its opening. The entire façade of the stadium will be refurbished with LED lighting being installed. 2000 Square meters of LED screens will be installed on the façade. The stadium will also be structurally reinforced by two large areas on the sides that will serve as bars. The roof of the stadium will also be repaired to fix the leaking problem.

 The interior of the facility is going to be renovated and new locker rooms are going to be built. The stadium will also get high-resolution LED screens along with a new seating system. One of the lower stands will be demolished to provide more space as the capacity will be increased to 90,000. The work began in early 2024 but the standards were not pleasing FIFA and needed a huge shift in speed of work to be ready for the 2026 World Cup.

 

Azteca Stadium Capacity and Field Size

Azteca Stadium is the largest stadium in Latin America. It is also the sixth-largest football stadium in the world. It used to have a 100,000+ crowd when stricter seating regulations weren’t enforced. Once it was converted into an all-seater stadium, it had a capacity of 87,253.

The stadium is undergoing a major renovation for the 2026 World Cup and will have a capacity of 90,000.

The stadium has a Kikuyu Grass surface and has the standard dimensions of 105 meters in length by 68 meters in width.

Key Football Events at Azteca Stadium

Club America

The stadium was home to Club America right from its opening. Las Aguilas are one of the most successful clubs in the country. They were one of the founders of the Primera Division and among the seven clubs to have never been relegated from the top flight.

The stadium is host to El Super Clasico when Club America takes on their arch-rivals Guadalajara. The fixture has an incredible atmosphere and is played in front of a sell-out crowd every time.

Azteca Stadium was bathed in titles as Club America is the most successful club domestically.  They have a record 16 league titles, 6 Copa Mexico titles, and a record 7 CONCACAF Champions League titles.

They have won a lot of these trophies after winning crucial games at Estadio Azteca.

International Tournaments

Azteca Stadium is famous for hosting the FIFA World Cup on two different occasions. It hosted 10 games during the 1970 World Cup including the final. It also hosted the finals alongside nine other games in 1986. It will also host the opening match and the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Cup. It will become the first stadium to host the FIFA World Cup on three occasions.

Here is a list of a few legendary international games at the Azteca Stadium:

• The final of the 1970 World Cup where Brazil defeated Italy 4-1. The legendary Brazilian forward Pele opened the scoring en route to his third and final World Cup trophy. The game was graced by a strong crowd of 107,412.
• The stadium was also the host to the “Game of the Century”. The semi-final clash between Italy and West Germany was billed in the 1970 World Cup due to the number of iconic goals. Italy were seconds away from winning when West Germany’s Karl-Heinz Schnellinger scored the only goal of his international career to equalize. In the extra time, Italy scored thrice and had the last laugh as a Gerd Muller brace wasn’t enough to help them get over the line.
• The 1986 World Cup quarter-final match between Argentina and England. The game produced arguably two of the most iconic goals ever. Diego Maradona scored the most controversial “Hand of God” with his hand to give Argentina the lead. The goal was debated for years and decades together as it also came against the backdrop of the Falkland Islands tension.
• Just minutes after scoring that iconic goal, Maradona produced another moment worthy of debate for eons. The mercurial Argentine received the ball in his half and began a 60-yard dash in 10 seconds towards the English goal. He sat four defenders down and left the goalkeeper Peter Shilton in his wake before slotting the ball into the empty net.
• The goal sealed the result in Argentina’s favour as they emerged victorious.
• Diego Maradona was again involved in the final as he assisted Jorge Burruchaga to beat West Germany 3-2 and lift his only World Cup.
• The Stadium also hosted the 1968 Summer Olympics, the  1971 Women’s World Cup, and multiple CONCACAF Championships.

 

Tickets and Pricing

How to buy Azteca Stadium Tickets

Azteca Stadium offers tickets on its official website. Since the stadium is closed for renovation, football events aren’t taking place till the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Other musical concerts are taking place in limited capacities and tickets are sold on third-party websites.

Estadio Azteca is also one of the rarest stadiums where the ticket office is still active on match days. The tickets are available up until kick-off times. The office is located towards the exit ramps from the Azteca Station. The prices start from as little as 100 Mxn and could cost up to 500 Mxn for high-profile games.

Visiting Azteca Stadium

How to reach Azteca Stadium

Azteca Stadium can be easily accessible by Mexico City’s public transport systems. It is served by Azteca station on the Xochimilco Light Rail line. Multiple routes are available if the stadium is to be accessed by a car. On Calzada de Tlalpan is a popular route. Almost every bus on major lines serves the stadium.

The stadium is accessible to people with reduced mobility. It offers wheelchair access in parking lots and the bleachers as well.

Guided Tours: Exploring Azteca Stadium

Estadio Azteca offers a chance to explore its famed walls from within for the fans. There are multiple options available on the official website for the fans to choose from. A stadium tour includes a visit to the locker rooms, playing field, press room and commemorative plaques.

A stadium tour for an adult would set you back by 150 Mxn (€7). For children, it would cost 120 Mxn (€5.5) and 100Mxn for senior citizens (€5).

Nearby Attractions for Football Fans

Azteca Stadium is surrounded by multiple tourist hotspots. Here are a few:

• Frida Kahlo Museum – A Mexico City landmark
• National Museum of Anthropology
• Chapultepec Park
• Xochimilco Ecological Park – Park with floating gardens
• Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe – A religious site
• Zocalo – Mexico City’s famous plaza.
• National Palace – A famed landmark in the city.

Azteca Stadium Events Beyond Football

Other Sports

Azteca Stadium’s significance in Latin America made it a favorable destination for appealing to the large crowd. It was used for NFL and boxing events.

• A record crowd of 132,247 witnessed the epic boxing clash between Julio Cesar Chavez and Greg Haughen on 20 February 1993. The clash was billed as a once-in-a-lifetime event between the Mexican legend and the American challenger.
• The stadium hosted its first preseason American Bowl game between the Houston Oilers and Dallas Cowboys and set up an NFL record attendance with 112,376.
• It also set up an NFL attendance record in 2005 when it hosted its first regular season game between San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals.
• The first NFL Mexico Game took place in 2016 when the Oakland Raiders played the Houston Texans as part of the NFL International Series at the renovated Azteca Stadium.
• It has been a regular venue for NFL games since 2016 till the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted and the stadium was closed in 2022 for renovation.

 

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Concerts and Other Events

• Puerto Rican boy band Menudo performed at the Azteca Stadium in its first musical concert in 1983 in front of 100,000 people.
• It was pop icon Michael Jackson who made the stadium resonate with his beats. He performed five times in front of sold-out crowds in 1993.
• Other famous bands and artists like Shakira, Bad Bunny, U2, Luis Miguel and Paul McCartney all performed at the stadium.
• It was used for religious ceremonies too as Pope John Paul made an appearance at the stadium for a speech in 1999.
• Jehovah’s Witness conventions were held in 2013 with a daily participation of 105,000.
• Nigerian Pastor T.B. Joshua held a two-day Christian crusade for a 150,000-strong crowd in 2015.
• It was used in active politics too as Mexican president Felipe Calderon closed his campaign in 2006 at the stadium.
• In 2014, a special public funeral service was held for the popular Mexican comedian Roberto Gomez “Chespirito” Bolanos. He was a long-time Club America supporter and got his final farewell at his beloved stadium.

Conclusion

Scope of Azteca Stadium in future

Azteca Stadium’s every blade of grass is bathed in history. The stadium’s dressing rooms were filled with legends. Its seats have the essence of hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world. The stadium is a cultural icon in itself. However, it’s not a thing of the past and has many more glorious chapters awaiting to be written in the future.

It will become the stadium in world football to host three World Cup tournaments once the 2026 World Cup kicks off. The stadium will host the tournament opener and four other games. It will get a much-needed facelift with multiple modern facilities being added.

The stadium will teach a lot of history lessons to a whole new generation of fans and pass on its glory.