The Mexican municipality of Tlalnepantla has announced changes to the spatial plan. They will allow for the implementation of the Punta Azul project, part of which is the construction of a stadium with 50,000 seats. The new venue may be hosted by Cruz Azul.

If not Cruz Azul, it will be someone else

Tlalnepantla, located just northwest of Mexico City, announced that a $1 billion project will be implemented in its area. It is to be financed entirely from private funds, and its most important part will be a football stadium with a capacity of 50,000 seats.

In addition to it, 500 apartments, a shopping centre and office units are to be built. The stadium itself will probably cost $ 300 million. It will be the most expensive sports venue in the history of Mexico.

For some time now, Liga MX Cruz Azul has been looking for a place to build a new facility. At the moment, the club is playing its matches at Estadio Azteca (after forced relocation from Estadio Azul in 2018), but the contract to play fixtures at this venue ends in 2022. After this date, Cruz Azul will have to look for a new stadium or extend the agreement with the management of the largest arena in the country.

Raciel Pérez Cruz, president of the city of Tlalnepantla, announced that the stadium will be built regardless of whether the popular "La Máquina" will play there or someone else.

He is ready to talk to the authorities of Cruz Azul, who are not hiding that they are interested in playing matches at the new venue in Tlalnepantla. Should an agreement with Cruz Azul not be reached, talks with other clubs are under consideration.

New stadium in 2024

Central de Almacenaje Metropolitana SA de CV (MC-2) is the entity responsible for the entire investment under the name of Punta Azul. Its CEO Fernando Arista said Cruz Azul has an open path to becoming the host of the venue. It can be said that at the moment all interested parties are trying to ensure that "La Máquina" plays its games there.

Construction of the stadium is to take 36 months from the moment of obtaining the building permit. At this point, the formalities related to receiving the permit have begun, which will last at least a year.

The entire investment is to generate 100,000 new jobs. A big advantage is the fact that the area where Punta Azul will be implemented is well connected with the capital thanks to the suburban railway and the nearby bus station. The entire area for the investment is in private hands.

Author: Tomasz Sobura