Backpacking in Mexico: Azteca Stadium Mexico City Tour
Posted May 23, 2022 | Tagged: Mexico
The Estadio Azteca is biggest stadium in Mexico with a capacity of 87,523 and one of the most famous football stadiums in the world.
Even though football doesn't hold much interest (I prefer to watch cycling, biathlon, athletics or rugby) I was keen to go to the Estadio Azteca and even more than stoked when Miss CDMX who also has zero interest in football said she was up to do the Estadio Azteca Tour.
And why not! I'm here in Mexico. Why pass up on the chance to visit the iconic stadium.
Even though football doesn't hold much interest (I prefer to watch cycling, biathlon, athletics or rugby) I was keen to go to the Estadio Azteca and even more than stoked when Miss CDMX who also has zero interest in football said she was up to do the Estadio Azteca Tour.
And why not! I'm here in Mexico. Why pass up on the chance to visit the iconic stadium.
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Visiting the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City:
We called the stadium a few days before to make sure the tours were still running. This is the number: +52 55 5487 3215.
So we made arrangements to go.
Getting to the Estadio Azteca is very easy. Firstly, you take the Metro to Tasqueña, end station on Linea #2 and then transfer to the Tren Ligero which runs to Xochimilco. A trip on the Tren Ligero costs 3 Pesos.
I have since written a detailed guide to using the public transportation in Mexico City.
Tasqueña to Estadio Azteca is 9 stops and takes 12 minutes.
The Tren Ligero at Tasqueña Station:
So we made arrangements to go.
Getting to the Estadio Azteca is very easy. Firstly, you take the Metro to Tasqueña, end station on Linea #2 and then transfer to the Tren Ligero which runs to Xochimilco. A trip on the Tren Ligero costs 3 Pesos.
I have since written a detailed guide to using the public transportation in Mexico City.
Tasqueña to Estadio Azteca is 9 stops and takes 12 minutes.
The Tren Ligero at Tasqueña Station:
Arrival at the Estación Estadio Azteca:
Arrival at the Estadio Azteca, Mexico City:
Arrival at the Estadio Azteca with Miss CDMX (May 2022):
From the Tren Ligero, you need to head round to the right, the east side. Puerta #2.
As of May 2022, the details for the Estadio Azteca Tour are as follows:
Monday to Friday 10 am to 5 pm
Saturday & Sunday 9 am to 2 pm,
except 25/12 & 01/01 and not on match days, so make sure you call ahead because we were told that for the Saturday, tours were, for whatever reasons, 'unavailable'.
The guided tours run every 30 minutes.
Monday to Friday 10 am to 5 pm
Saturday & Sunday 9 am to 2 pm,
except 25/12 & 01/01 and not on match days, so make sure you call ahead because we were told that for the Saturday, tours were, for whatever reasons, 'unavailable'.
The guided tours run every 30 minutes.
Check the Estadio Azteca website for up to date details.
It costs 150 Pesos each for the guided tour. And you get a little 'hospital bracelet':
The stadium was designed by Pedro Ramírez Vázquez who was responsible for many stadiums, government buildings and museums not only in Mexico but around the world.
It was opened on May 29 1966:
It was opened on May 29 1966:
Why is the Estadio Azteca considered one of the most famous football stadiums in the world?
The Estadio Azteca is famous for hosting two World Cup Finals:
. The 1970 World Cup Final, won by Brazil and
. The 1986 World Cup Final, won by Argentina
And is also one of 3 stadiums in Mexico to be used in the United2026 FIFA World Cup which is being hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico.
. The Estadio Azteca is the only football stadium in the world to have both Pelé (1970) and Diego Maradona (1986) win Fifa World Cups; two of the greatest football players ever.
. It was here in the 1986 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals, played on 22 June 1986 that Maradona's "Hand of God" goal and "Goal of the Century" secured Argentina's 2:1 victory over England, who subsequently went on to win overall after beating Belgium 2:0 in the semis and West Germany 3:2 in the final.
The shirt won by Maradona on that day when paying against England, recently (May 4 2022) sold for £7,142,500 at Sotheby's.
. The Estadio Azteca is also home to football club Club América, Cruz Azul and the Mexico National Football Team.
. The Estadio Azteca has also hosted concerts by Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney, Gloria Estefan and U2.
Is the Estadio Azteca the largest stadium in the world
The Azteca Stadium is the biggest stadium in Mexico with a capacity of 87,523 and one of the largest in the world.
It used to hold 105,000 people, and at that time it was the largest football stadium in the world.
That claim now goes to the Rungrado 1st of May Stadium in Pyongyang which supposedly can hold 150,000.
It used to hold 105,000 people, and at that time it was the largest football stadium in the world.
That claim now goes to the Rungrado 1st of May Stadium in Pyongyang which supposedly can hold 150,000.
Our guide in the ADIDAS T-Shirt at the Tunel 8 'Carlos Reinoso', at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The guide spoke English which gave Miss CDMX a rest from translating all the time:
Carlos Reinoso was from Chile but he played for the Mexican club, Club América in CDMX for 9 years.
Nomadic Backpacker calls a press conference at the Estadio Azteca:
Nomadic Backpacker calls a press conference at the Estadio Azteca:
Entering the dressing room of Club América at the Estadio Azteca:
Dressing Room of Club América at the Estadio Azteca:
Guillermo Ochoa, goal keeper at Club América:
Visiting One Of The Most Famous Football Stadiums In The World: The Estadio Azteca
This post first appeared on Nomadic Backpacker, May 2022
