Mesmerizing and shrouded in debate, the legendary Azteca stadium is making course corrections for its third World Cup appearance.
The legendary Estadio Azteca, a blend of charm and controversy, is gearing up for its third World Cup hosting stint, set for 2026. Shrouded in folklore, this iconic structure, soon to be rechristened as Estadio Ciudad de México, is undergoing a massive makeover to accommodate the upcoming World Cup, which Mexico will co-host with the US and Canada.
As we move closer to the tournament, officials from the newly named Estadio Banorte insist progress is "significant," with five matches scheduled, including the opening game on June 11. With a six-decade gap between renovations, renowned architect Luis Martínez del Campo, the mastermind behind the cathedral of world football, offers a cautious optimism: "With sixty years in between, the Estadio Azteca is an icon of Mexican architecture and engineering... I have no idea how it will turn out, but I hope it will be very good."
To meet FIFA's standards, the stadium will undergo several major modifications. New seating arrangements will boast improved comfort, ensuring spectators have a pleasurable experience. Wi-Fi connectivity will also be introduced, keeping attendees connected throughout the matches. What's more, the playing surface will transform into hybrid grass, combining natural grass and synthetic fibers for optimal playing conditions during World Cup matches. The stadium's capacity will increase from 83,264 to 90,000 seats.
A notable correction to the original work includes the addition of a midfield tunnel for player access, addressing a long-standing issue from the 1970 and 1986 World Cups when footballers navigated through stands.
Amid controversy, the name change from Estadio Azteca to Estadio Banorte has raised eyebrows among fans. However, Martínez del Campo supports the sponsorship deal, believing, "The name Estadio Azteca is timeless, it's a symbol, but I do consider it very legitimate to put Banorte on it... For me, the ideal would be to call it Estadio Azteca Banorte."
There's more to the story, with ongoing negotiations between the Asociación Mexicana de Titulares de Palcos y Plateas, representing some original box and seat owners, and stadium officials. The owners argue that, based on the most elementary logic and justice, they have the right to attend matches for 99 years, a privilege they financed upon the stadium's inauguration in 1966.
Simultaneously, Monterrey and Guadalajara are busy prepping their fields for the tournament. Renovations at the BBVA Stadium in Monterrey include hybrid turf, modernized VIP boxes, and the expansion of the press area, among other updates. Meanwhile, Guadalajara's Akron Stadium, also slated to host four games, requires improvements such as an LED lighting system, a sound system, high-speed Wi-Fi, and hybrid grass.
- In the midst of the preparations for the World Cup matches in 2026, the Estadio Banorte, formerly known as Estadio Azteca, is undergoing immense renovations, with a focus on enhancing spectators' comfort, introducing Wi-Fi connectivity, and creating a hybrid grass playing surface.
- Despite the controversy surrounding the name change from Estadio Azteca to Estadio Banorte, renowned architect Luis Martínez del Campo, who is overseeing the renovation, acknowledges the symbolic appeal of the original name but supports the sponsorship deal, suggesting an ideal name for the stadium could be Estadio Azteca Banorte.
