Estadio Azteca, is a multi-purpose stadium located in Mexico City, Mexico. It is used primarily for association football matches, hosting the home games of Mexican club Club América and the Mexico national football team.
Opened on 29 May 1966 with a friendly match between Club América and Italian club Torino FC, it replaced the Parque Asturias, which had a maximum capacity of 30,000 spectators. The maximum capacity of Estadio Azteca at its inauguration was 107,494, but with seat installations and renovations, the current seating capacity is 87,523. The stadium was designed by Pedro Ramírez Vázquez and Rafael Mijares Alcérreca and had a construction cost of $4 million.
A FIFA category four stadium and one of the biggest stadiums by capacity in the world, Estadio Azteca is the only venue to have hosted three FIFA World Cup Finals, in 1970, 1986 and potentially in 2026, which Mexico will co-host along with the United States and Canada. It was also the venue for the 'Game of the Century' in 1970, when Italy beat West Germany 4-3 after extra time in the World Cup semifinals. By its fiftieth birthday, Estadio Azteca had welcomed more than 90 million spectators. The stadium is known for its vibrant atmosphere and has been the site of some of football's most historic matches.
While the previous Azteca stadium was also officially named 'Estadio Azteca', both the old and the new stadia are invariably referred to by their official name, Estadio Azteca. Azteca is the name of the neighborhood the stadium was built on, located in the Tlalpan borough, which is the largest of the 16 boroughs into which Mexico's Federal District is divided. This official name caught on soon after the original stadium's construction; the people of Mexico used to simply call it Azteca ('Aztec'). Therefore, the stadium's common name became 'Estadio Azteca', which is usually anglicized to 'Aztec Stadium'. The Azteca name is a tribute to the Aztec heritage of Mexico City.
The stadium has been the official home of the Mexican national team and the Mexican professional football club Club América. The stadium has also hosted numerous international fixtures and has been a part of significant historical events, including the 'Game of the Century' - the 1970 FIFA World Cup semifinal match between Italy and West Germany. The stadium is also famous for hosting the 1986 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal match between Argentina and England in which Diego Maradona scored the 'Hand of God' goal and the 'Goal of the Century'.
The construction of the Estadio Azteca was a massive undertaking; it was the first stadium in the world built specifically for football to have a capacity exceeding 100,000 spectators. The stadium's construction began in 1962 and was completed in 1966. The stadium was designed by Pedro Ramírez Vázquez and Rafael Mijares Alcérreca, two of Mexico's most prominent architects at the time. The stadium's design is inspired by the ancient Aztec architecture and culture.
Throughout its history, the Estadio Azteca has undergone several renovations to modernize its facilities and increase its capacity. The most significant renovation occurred in preparation for the 1986 FIFA World Cup when the stadium's capacity was increased to over 114,000 spectators. Other renovations have included the installation of a roof covering the majority of the stands, the introduction of luxury suites, and the installation of a giant screen. Despite these modern developments, the stadium has managed to retain its unique Aztec-inspired design and continues to be a symbol of Mexico's rich cultural heritage and sporting prowess.
Located in the Santa Úrsula borough of Mexico City, the Estadio Azteca stands as a symbol of national pride. The stadium, also known as 'Coloso de Santa Úrsula', boasts excellent accessibility and a vast area for future expansion. Its proximity to the Tlalpan and Coyoacán boroughs also adds to its strategic location.
The club always aimed to own both the stadium and the surrounding land. However, initially, a lease was taken on the municipal lands, with the final purchase only happening years later. Architect Pedro Ramírez Vázquez, known for his work on iconic Mexican structures, drafted the plans for the sports complex in the early 1960s.
Under the leadership of the club's president, Emilio Azcárraga Milmo, the club members coped with an increased fee to support the construction costs for the new stadium, and offered large donations. Some even worked on the construction site themselves during holidays or weekends. There was also a 'cement campaign', whereby large quantities of cement bags were donated to the club.
Construction officially began on 29 May 1962. Less than three years later, at a cost of 260 million Mexican pesos, on 29 May 1966, a crowd of 107,494 filled the stadium for the inaugural match against Brazilian club Flamengo. This stadium, capable of holding more than 100,000 spectators, is the third-largest football stadium in the world and the largest in the Americas.
Estadio Azteca (1966) (in Spanish). Club América: A detailed historical account of the iconic Estadio Azteca, including its construction, architectural design, and major events it has hosted. https://www.clubamerica.com.mx
Estadio Azteca (El Coloso de Santa Úrsula) – until 2003. StadiumDB.com: Provides a comprehensive history of Estadio Azteca, including its renovations and capacity changes over the years. http://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/mex/estadio_azteca
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