Estadio Azteca in Mexico City - The Largest Stadium in Mexico
Posted: May 23, 2022 | Tagged: Mexico
With a capacity of 87,523, the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City is the largest in Mexico and one of the world's most famous football stadiums.
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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.
And why not! I'm here in Mexico. Why pass up on the chance to visit the iconic stadium.
2026 FIFA World Cup Stadiums in Mexico:
The Azteca Stadium is one of three stadiums in Mexico which will host the 2026 World Cup.
I saw in Reuters that the Estadio Azteca will host the opening match of the 2026 World Cup on June 11.
- Estadio Azteca - Mexico City
- Estadio Guadalajara - Zapopan, Jalisco
- Estadio Monterrey - Guadalupe, Nuevo Leon
I saw in Reuters that the Estadio Azteca will host the opening match of the 2026 World Cup on June 11.
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Visiting the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City:
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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.
Check out my guide to using the Tren Ligero 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.
Check out my guide to using the Tren Ligero 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.
Have a look on the official website: Estadio Azteca CDMX
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.
Have a look on the official website: Estadio Azteca CDMX
It costs 150 Pesos each for the guided tour. And you get a little 'hospital bracelet':
The Azteca 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:
The Azteca Stadium is regarded as one of the most famous and iconic football stadiums in the world:
The Azteca Stadium hosted two World Cup Finals:
- The 1970 World Cup Final, won by Brazil
- The 1986 World Cup Final, won by Argentina
- 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 Estadio Azteca seating capacity is 87,523, 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. It is still the largest stadium in latin America and the 8th largest football stadium in the world.
The largest stadium in the world as of 2024 is the Narendra Modi Stadium in India which officially can hold 132,000 spectators though is used primarily for cricket.
The largest multi-purpose stadium in the world is the Rungrado 1st of May Stadium in North Korea and can hold 115,000 spectators.
It used to hold 105,000 people, and at that time it was the largest football stadium in the world. It is still the largest stadium in latin America and the 8th largest football stadium in the world.
The largest stadium in the world as of 2024 is the Narendra Modi Stadium in India which officially can hold 132,000 spectators though is used primarily for cricket.
The largest multi-purpose stadium in the world is the Rungrado 1st of May Stadium in North Korea and can hold 115,000 spectators.
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
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