The Azteca, the stadium of three World Cups: 1970, 1986 and 2026
No stadium in the world has hosted as many World Cups as the Azteca. Home of Mexican football since 1966, in 2026 it staged the opening match and became the first venue to feature in three different World Cups.
There are stadiums and there are temples. The Azteca, in Mexico City, belongs to the second category. Built at more than 2,200 metres of altitude and with room for over 80,000 spectators, it has been the great stage of Mexican football since it opened in 1966, and in 2026 it wrote a unique page in the history of the sport.
With the 2026 World Cup, the Azteca became the first stadium to feature in three different World Cups. It had already hosted the finals of 1970 —Pelé's Brazil, considered by many the greatest team ever— and 1986 —Maradona's Mexico, with the 'Hand of God' and the 'Goal of the Century' against England. In 2026 it staged the tournament's opening match.
Few venues pack so much footballing memory per square metre. Within its walls some of the most iconic moments the game has produced have taken place, and each new occasion adds another layer to its legend.
That the same stadium witnessed 1970, 1986 and 2026 makes it a symbol of continuity: three generations, three World Cups and one same stage still standing. Discover the story of the 2026 World Cup's 16 venues on our site.