The Estadio Azteca at Three World Cups: A Living Legend

There is no stadium in world football quite like the Estadio Azteca. Opened in 1966, it has witnessed the Hand of God, the Goal of the Century, and two World Cup finals. In 2026, it will host World Cup matches for an unprecedented third time.

1970: The Beautiful Game's Pinnacle

The 1970 World Cup in Mexico produced what many consider the greatest football ever played, with the Azteca at its centre. Brazil's 4–1 demolition of Italy in the final — featuring the iconic Pelé, Jairzinho, and Carlos Alberto — remains the benchmark for total football. The stadium held 107,000 fans that day.

1986: Maradona's Stage

No single player has ever dominated a World Cup the way Diego Maradona dominated Mexico 1986. His quarter-final against England produced both the most controversial goal in history — the Hand of God — and the greatest individual goal ever scored, the 60-yard dribble that left five England players in his wake. The Azteca was his theatre.

The Renovation

Ahead of 2026, the Azteca underwent significant renovation, reducing capacity to 87,523 while upgrading facilities to meet modern FIFA standards. The iconic bowl shape and the electric atmosphere it creates remain untouched.

2026: A Third Chapter

For the third time, the Azteca will host World Cup group stage matches, with Mexico set to play there in front of their passionate home crowd. Whatever happens, the old stadium will add more chapters to football's greatest story.