MEXICO CITY (AP) — When FIFA chief Gianni Infantino visited Mexico City more than three years ago, the owner of Estadio Azteca told him that renovations for the 2026 World Cup would not taint the soul of the iconic stadium.
Emilio Azcarraga Jean keeps his word.
Latin America's largest stadium will feature additional seating, video screens, new lighting and changing rooms, a new entrance to the new hybrid pitch and a new sound system with more than 340 speakers.
Regular viewers will notice the upgrades, but at the same time, the 59-year-old facility has retained its basic characteristics, according to official computer renderings obtained by The Associated Press.
“It was very important to preserve his soul,” stadium director Felix Aguirre told the AP. “Soul is the essence of the stadium and that’s what we all enjoy.”
Azteca was where Pelé won his last World Cup in 1970 and where Diego Maradona won it all in 1986.
“We all have important memories of Estadio Azteca in our lives,” Aguirre said. “That’s why we undertook this renovation, guided by Mr. Azcárraga’s vision and keeping in mind the future of the stadium, preserving its soul and the emotions it evokes.”
Mexico, along with the United States and Canada, is hosting the World Cup. Azteca will be the first stadium to host the opening match of the World Cup for the third time, on June 11 next year. Azteca will play five matches in total, including two playoffs.
Before closing its doors in 2024, the Azteca had a capacity of 83,000 people. That number could rise to 87,000, but Aguirre said they are still figuring out the real figure.
They are returning to the hybrid field. One was installed in 2018, but poor field conditions forced a last-minute change of venue for the NFL game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Rams. The following year natural grass was laid. The new field will have new ventilation and drainage to withstand the heavy rainfall that is common in Mexico City.
The leaking roof is being repaired, and the locker rooms are being moved to the center of the stadium and expanded to accommodate NFL teams. The last NFL game was played in 2022.
There was also a need to improve the stadium's Wi-Fi, which often broke down during sold-out matches.
The stadium, sponsored by Banorte to fund the latest renovation, is expected to reopen in March after a friendly between Mexico and Portugal. But Aguirre said they are working to have it ready by Feb. 28.
“Construction is on schedule and we are working hard,” Aguirre said. “I hope the fans can come and enjoy some great moments.”
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