Wedoany.com Report-Mar 18, Mexico City’s Azteca stadium will be extensively renovated before the 2026 World Cup Finals tournament.
Pele celebrating Brazil’s victory over Italy in the 1970 World Cup finals
Its owner, entertainment company Ollamani, has agreed a $106m loan to finance the work with Mexican finance house Banorte. As part of the deal, the stadium will change its name to “Estadio Banorte”.
The bank will also have the right to install advertisements, signage and products in the venue.
The work will include renewing the facade and the roof, replacing the seating, installing upgraded changing rooms, and adding 2,000 sq m of high-resolution LED screens. Structural reinforcement will also be added.
The capacity of the ground will increase slightly, from 87,523 to 90,000.
Immortal games
The Azteca was completed in 1966 and has since established a claim to be the most famous football ground in the world.
It has hosted a number of immortal games, such as Italy’s victory over Germany in the 1970 World Cup and Argentina’s vanquishing of England in 1986.
It is scheduled to host five matches in 2026, including the opening.
‘We’ll modernise this emblematic stadium’
Speaking about the loan, Emilio Azcárraga Jean, the owner of Ollamani, said it was “an honour to unite with the most important financial institution in the country”.
He added: “With them, we’ll modernise this emblematic stadium while respecting its essence and architectural designs recognised for decades. It will be the most important place to showcase Mexico to the world.”
The loan from Banorte, repayable over 12 years, is in addition to the $75m that Ollamani has already invested in the refurbishment.
This work has been underway for some time, during which doubts have been raised as to whether the work will be certified by FIFA.
Last week, the Building and Wood Workers’ International union claimed FIFA had denied it access to the stadium to inspect the conditions of those working on the renovation.
