Azteca Stadium Capacity, Tickets, Seating Plan, Records, Location, Parking
The Azteca Stadium is a multi-use stadium located in Mexico City. It is the official home of the soccer clubs Club América and Cruz Azul, as well as the Mexican national soccer team. The stadium is located at an altitude of 2,200 m (7,200 ft) above sea level. With an official capacity of 87,523, it is the largest stadium in Mexico and Latin America. The National Football League (NFL) presents one game at Estadio Azteca per season as part of its International Series.
Considered one of the most famous and iconic football stadiums in the world, it is the first to have hosted two FIFA World Cup finals: the 1970 World Cup final, in which Brazil defeated Italy 4-1, and the 1986 World Cup final, in which Argentina defeated West Germany 3-2. It also hosted the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal match between Argentina and England, in which Diego Maradona scored both the “Hand of God goal” and the “Goal of the Century.”
The Azteca Stadium is the only soccer stadium in the world where both Pelé (1970) and Diego Maradona (1986) have won FIFA World Cups; both are considered among the greatest soccer players of all time. The stadium also hosted the “Game of the Century”, when Italy defeated West Germany 4-3 after extra time in one of the 1970 semi-final matches.
The stadium was also the main venue for the Olympic Games soccer tournament in the Summer of 1968 and the 1971 Women’s World Cup. In addition, it is scheduled to host matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, making it the only stadium to host three editions of the FIFA World Cup.
| Built In: | 1961 |
| Capacity: | 87,523 |
| Home Teams: | Mexico national football team |
| Ground Size: | 105 m × 68 m |
Azteca Stadium History
During the presidency of Adolfo López Mateos, when Mexico was chosen to host the 1968 Summer Olympics, the Azteca Stadium was planned as an important sports venue. This is where the soccer final was held. The stadium was designed by the architects Pedro Ramírez Vázquez and Rafael Mijares Alcérreca and was inaugurated in 1961.
The opening match was between Club América and Torino F.C. on May 29, 1966, with a capacity of 107,494 spectators. The first goal was scored by the Brazilian Arlindo Dos Santos and the second by the Brazilian José Alves; the Italians later tied the game, which ended in a 2–2 draw. The president of Mexico, Gustavo Díaz Ordaz, took the initial kick and the president of FIFA, Sir Stanley Rous, was the witness.
A modern lighting system was inaugurated on June 5, 1966, with the first night game played between the Spanish team Valencia C.F. and Necaxa. The first goal of the game was scored by Honduran José Cardona for Valencia. Roberto Martínez, aka Caña Brava, became the first Mexican to score a goal in the stadium after scoring for Necaxa. The result was a 3-1 victory for Valencia.
In 1978 the stadium hosted the final of the Inter-American Cup between América and Boca Juniors from Argentina, and would again host a final in 1990 between América and Club Olimpia from Paraguay.
The Azteca Stadium is also the site where Pelé and Diego Maradona (during the 1970 and 1986 FIFA World Cup) last lifted the trophy (the Jules Rimet Trophy and the current FIFA World Cup Trophy, respectively).
The Azteca Stadium has also been used for musical performances throughout its history. Michael Jackson (5 sold-out shows in 1993), Menudo (in 1983), U2 (in 2006 and 2011), Luis Miguel (in 2002), Paul McCartney (in 2012 and 2017), Elton John, Maná, Juan Gabriel, Gloria Estefan, Jaguares, Lenny Kravitz, *Nsync, Hanson, Ana Gabriel, and Los Tres Tenores have become part of the stadium’s main show. The stadium has also been used for religious and political events, like Jehovah’s Witness conventions and Pope John Paul II’s visit in 1999. In 2006, Mexican President Felipe Calderón’s final campaign was held there.
In April 2017, it was announced that starting in July 2018, Cruz Azul would move to Azteca on a temporary basis, due to the imminent demolition of the Estadio Azul. According to the club’s owner, Guillermo Álvarez, they plan to build a new private stadium, which could take between three and four years.
The stadium is scheduled to host games during the 2026 FIFA World Cup that will take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. It will be the third time that Azteca has hosted World Cup matches since the 1970 and 1986 games were held at the stadium. Furthermore, it is currently in contention for the opening game, with SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles another possible venue.
Stadium Capacity
Aztec Stadium has a seating capacity of 87,523.
Azteca Stadium Seating Plan
Notable Events & Records
FIFA World Cups
Two FIFA World Cups and a total of nineteen FIFA World Cup games have taken place at Estadio Azteca. Ten games, including the championship game, were played in the stadium during the 1970 FIFA World Cup. The stadium hosted nine games during the 1986 FIFA World Cup, including the championship match, which marked the second FIFA World Cup final to be held there. Estadio Azteca will host games for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It will be the only place to have hosted the tournament three times.
Other Association football events
- 1968 Summer Olympics
- 1971 Women’s World Cup
- 1975 Pan American Games
- 1977 CONCACAF Championship
- 1983 FIFA World Youth Championship
- 1985 Mexico City Cup / Azteca 2000
- 1993 CONCACAF Gold Cup
- 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup
- 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup
- 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup
Upcoming Events
2026 World Cup of Football
Mexico City will host the FIFA World Cup in June 2020. This was made official when FIFA announced the cities for the tournament. Mexico City is one of three host cities in Mexico and one of sixteen cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico that is hosting the tournament. Renovations will be made to the stadium before the FIFA World Cup in 2026.
Parking
The Estadio Azteca parking lot can be accessed 4 hours before the event you are attending, such as soccer games.
