Estadio Azteca: The Only Ground to Host Three World Cups
The Estadio Azteca, in the Santa Úrsula Coapa district of southern Mexico City, is the largest stadium in Mexico and the only ground in the world to host three FIFA World Cups — 1970, 1986, and (in renovated form, under the temporary name Estadio Banorte) 2026. Built between 1962 and 1966 to a design by Pedro Ramírez Vázquez and Rafael Mijares Alcérreca, the Azteca sits at 2,200 metres above sea level and has been the principal home of Club América and the Mexican national team for nearly six decades. The location is on the map.
Construction and opening (1962-1966)
The Azteca was conceived in the early 1960s as a national stadium worthy of hosting the 1968 Olympic Games (the football tournament was eventually moved elsewhere) and the 1970 World Cup. Construction took place between 1962 and 1966 on land in Santa Úrsula. The inaugural match on 29 May 1966, Club América against Torino, ended 2-2; the official opening ceremony followed the same day. Original capacity was approximately 107,000, all seated, with a single continuous roof covering most of the bowl.
The 1970 World Cup
The 1970 FIFA World Cup is regularly cited as one of the tournaments of the highest aesthetic quality in the competition's history, and the Azteca was the centrepiece. The 1970 final on 21 June — Brazil 4-1 Italy, decided by Carlos Alberto's stoppage-time goal at the end of a flowing team move — is frequently described as the most-celebrated team move in football history. The Brazil team of 1970, captained by Carlos Alberto and led by Pelé, Tostão, Gérson, Jairzinho, and Rivellino, won the Jules Rimet trophy outright at the Azteca.
The 1986 World Cup
Mexico received the 1986 World Cup at short notice after the original host Colombia withdrew. The Azteca hosted nine matches, including the final and Argentina's quarter-final win against England — the match of Diego Maradona's "Hand of God" goal and his second goal, voted FIFA's Goal of the Century. The 1986 final on 29 June, Argentina 3-2 West Germany, gave Maradona his only World Cup title and confirmed the Azteca as the only ground to have hosted two World Cup finals at that point (later joined by the Maracanã).
Maradona at the Azteca
Maradona's quarter-final performance against England on 22 June 1986 is one of the single most-discussed individual performances in football history. The first goal — the punch into the net unseen by referee Ali Bin Nasser — and the second goal four minutes later — the run from inside his own half past five England players and Peter Shilton — were both at the Azteca, and have been retold and analysed at length ever since. The stadium installed a statue of Maradona at the entrance to commemorate the match.
Club América and the Mexican national team
The Azteca is the permanent home of Club América, the most-followed club in Mexico, and the principal home venue of the Mexican national team. The Liga MX Clásico Nacional between América and Guadalajara (Chivas) regularly draws crowds in excess of 80,000 to the Azteca. The Mexican national team's World Cup qualifying campaigns have been built around home matches at the Azteca, where the combination of altitude, hostile crowd, and pollution has long been considered an advantage against visiting CONCACAF opposition.
Altitude and atmosphere
At 2,200 metres above sea level, the Azteca exposes visiting teams to a thinner-atmosphere environment that affects ball flight, player stamina, and recovery. Combined with the noise of a sold-out 87,000 crowd and the historical hostility shown to particular CONCACAF rivals (most notably the United States), the conditions have been a recurring talking-point in international football preparation. Teams typically arrive in Mexico City a week or more in advance to acclimatise.
The renovation for 2026
Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which Mexico co-hosts with the United States and Canada, the Azteca underwent a phased renovation completed in 2026. Capacity will be reduced to around 87,000 in the modernised configuration, the roof has been entirely rebuilt, all seating has been replaced, and the concourses, hospitality areas, and player facilities have been upgraded. The temporary commercial name, Estadio Banorte, applies for the renovation period; the Azteca name will continue in popular usage and may be restored officially. The 2026 World Cup opening match is scheduled here on 11 June 2026.
See them all in one view
The Azteca runs stadium tours that include the dressing rooms, the player tunnel, the press room, the Maradona statue, and views from the top tier across Mexico City to the Popocatépetl volcano (on clear days). The ground is accessed by the Estadio Azteca station on the Tren Ligero south of the city centre. See the location on the map.