As part of the preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup—co-hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada—the remodeling proposal for Mexico City's Estadio Azteca has been unveiled. The historic venue has hosted countless milestone events over the decades and remains one of the capital's premier event spaces.
The stadium's history began in 1962 when architects Pedro Ramírez Vázquez and Rafael Mijares were selected through a competition to design the venue. Preliminary site work began shortly after. However, when Mexico was awarded the 1970 FIFA World Cup two years later, the stadium's capacity was increased to meet exceptional quality standards, as it would serve as one of the country's main showcases to the world.
Today, 52 years after that historic tournament, a major renovation is essential to ensure the safety and comfort of spectators for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. To address this, the "Conjunto Estadio Azteca" (CEA) redevelopment project was announced, led by Altavista Sur Inmobiliaria and Fútbol del Distrito Federal. The CEA project will utilize a significant portion of the 58,753-square-meter site to the west of the Estadio Azteca ring road—also owned by Grupo Televisa SA de CV. The master plan will merge two main lots, modify the adjacent avenue, and extend into the parking area of the famous Coloso de Santa Úrsula.
The complex includes the construction of a four-story shopping center and a seven-story hotel along Avenida Estadio Azteca, featuring a seven-level parking garage that will add 925 spaces to the existing 6,718. The proposed seven-story hotel in this area will also incorporate parking on each of its levels. Along Calzada de Tlalpan, an expansion of the shopping center—named “Centro Estadio”—is planned, featuring three retail levels and five parking levels, alongside vehicle access ramps.
This article was written by Mónica Arellano. The translation is powered by AI.
