Capacity, location, fixtures and key information about Estadio Azteca ahead of the 2026 World Cup
Estadio Azteca will be the historic centrepiece of the 2026 World Cup, hosting five matches including the tournament’s opening fixture.
Opened in 1966, the famous Mexican ground will become the first in history to host three different World Cup editions and is currently concluding a massive $150 million renovation to modernise its facilities.
Due to FIFA sponsorship rules, throughout the tournament, the venue traditionally known as Estadio Azteca will be known simply as “Mexico City Stadium“.
Where is Estadio Azteca?
Estadio Azteca is located in the Santa Úrsula Coapa neighbourhood of the Coyoacán district, in the southern part of Mexico City. The venue is situated in one of the most culturally rich areas of the capital and is accessible via the Xochimilco light rail system, which connects fans to the broader Mexico City Metro network at the Tasqueña station.
How many seats does Estadio Azteca have?
Estadio Azteca has an official FIFA capacity of approximately 87,500 for the 2026 World Cup, though it has famously held crowds exceeding 100,000 in the past.
The stadium features a distinctive open-air design with a massive cantilevered roof, and the current upgrades include new high-definition LED screens, modernised hospitality zones, and improved pitch technology.
Who plays at Estadio Azteca?
This is a venue primarily for Liga MX teams, serving as the home of Club América and the Mexico national team. It has also served as the long-term home for Cruz Azul and has hosted NFL International Series games, cementing its status as a versatile global sporting hub.
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Who owns Estadio Azteca?
Estadio Azteca is owned by Grupo Ollamani, a company recently spun off from the media giant Televisa. The ongoing 2026 redevelopment project is being financed through private investment, including a major sponsorship deal with Banorte to ensure the stadium remains a world-class facility.
How many World Cup matches will be played at Estadio Azteca?
Estadio Azteca will host five games during the 2026 World Cup. These include the opening match of the tournament featuring the Mexican national team, as part of three group stage and two knockout games.
Estadio Azteca World Cup 2026 fixtures and kick-off times
Group stage
- Mexico vs. South Africa
June 11 – 13:00 local / 21:00 CET / 20:00 UK - Uzbekistan vs. Colombia
June 17 – 20:00 local / 04:00 CET (June 18) / 03:00 UK (June 18) - TBD (UEFA Play-off D Winner) vs. Mexico
June 24 – 20:00 local / 04:00 CET (June 25) / 03:00 UK (June 25)
Knockout stage
- Round of 32: Winner Group J vs. Runner-up Group H
June 30 – 20:00 local / 04:00 CET (July 1) / 03:00 UK (July 1) - Round of 16: Winner Match 83 vs. Winner Match 84
July 5 – 18:00 local / 02:00 CET (July 6) / 01:00 UK (July 6)
Why is Estadio Azteca a key World Cup venue?
Estadio Azteca has hosted the finals of both the 1970 and 1986 World Cups, witnessing legendary performances by Pelé and Diego Maradona. For the 2026 World Cup, it remains the spiritual home of North American football and will make history once again as the site of the tournament’s opening ceremony and first game.
What is Estadio Azteca like inside?
Estadio Azteca is known for its steep, intimidating stands that create a cauldron atmosphere and its unique high-altitude environment.
The interior has been refreshed with new seating, upgraded locker rooms, and enhanced media areas to meet FIFA‘s latest international standards for player and fan comfort while maintaining its historic charm.
How to get to Estadio Azteca
Estadio Azteca is accessible via major thoroughfares like Calzada de Tlalpan and through public transit. Fans are expected to use the light rail system and dedicated tournament shuttle services, as traffic in the southern part of the city is notoriously heavy during major events.
Estadio Azteca capacity compared to other World Cup stadiums
Estadio Azteca enters the 2026 World Cup as the most historic venue in the tournament, holding a seated capacity of approximately 87,500 following its latest rounds of renovation.
This figure cements its position as the second-largest stadium in the tournament, surpassed only by the 94,000-seat AT&T Stadium in Dallas, while it remains larger than other primary host venues such as New York’s MetLife Stadium (82,500) and Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium (75,000).