It is set to become the first stadium in history to host three World Cups - provided the upgrade is finished in time. Meanwhile, exactly 300 days before the start of the World Cup, the iconic Estadio Azteca is being dug up and much of the stands dismantled. All indications are that the work has encountered delays.

300 days until the World Cup, and work continues

First there was talk of the end of 2025. Then about February 2026, until finally the exact date was dropped - Estadio Azteca is to reopen on March 28, 2026. Less than two and a half months later, it will host the inauguration of the World Cup and thus go down in history as the only venue in history to host the world's most important sporting event three times – in 1970, 1986 and 2026.

But the photos of the redevelopment published by the account Estadios de México are proof that work is progressing slowly. Too slowly, according to many fans. Half of the lower tier of stands is dismantled, the rest of the auditorium is stripped of its seats, and cranes, vehicles and construction materials are stacked on the dug up playing field. FIFA normally requires work to be completed a year before the tournament, meanwhile there are only 300 days left until the World Cup. However, it is unclear why the international federation has not applied this rule in the case of Estadio Azteca.

Así los trabajos del Azteca al día.

— ESTADIOSdeMÉXICO (@MXESTADIOS) August 10, 2025

The scope of the work could be an explanation for the slow pace, as the project imposes a number of changes in the venue:

• increasing the capacity from 83 264 to 90 000 seats,
• building new changing rooms and a tunnel under the stands along the pitch (FIFA requirement),
• covering the stadium facade with LED panels,
• refurbishment of the VIP boxes,
• roof renovation,
• replacement of videoboards,
• renovation of the area around the stadium.

Despite this, the stadium will retain its current shape. As architect David Lizárraga revealed in an interview with ESPN, this was expressly ordered by Club América president Emilio Azcarraga, who wanted to respect the vision of the arena's builders while introducing as many technical innovations and amenities as possible.

© Grupo Reforma | On June 11, 2026, the inaugural match of the World Cup will be played at the renovated Estadio Azteca.