There are only eight months left until the start of the 2026 World Cup, but the legendary Estadio Azteca is still a construction site, bearing no resemblance to the spectacular visualizations. The complex renovation has accelerated in recent weeks, but time is running out.

238 days left until the World Cup

On June 11, 2026, 87,000 people will take their seats in the stands of Estadio Azteca to watch the opening match of the World Cup co-organized by Canada, USA, and Mexico. At least that is the plan, because the iconic stadium in the heart of Mexico City is undergoing a renovation that is progressing more slowly than many had expected. And although FIFA usually requires stadiums to be ready a year before the tournament, it has made an exception for Azteca, which is now leading many to doubt whether the stadium will be ready on time.

With just 238 days left until the World Cup, the current state of construction makes it difficult to believe that the stadium will look like it does on the spectacular renderings. Meanwhile, the plan is to open Estadio Azteca (or officially – Banorte) on March 28 with a match between Mexico and Portugal, so that after Club América and Cruz Azul can then play Clausura 2026 – the spring round of the MX league – at the venue.

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Work is accelerating, but there is still much to do

For now, however, the playing field is completely dug up, there is not a single seat in the stands, and outside, workers are only halfway through repainting the facade. In recent weeks, however, work has accelerated – the players’ tunnel, moved from behind the north end to the east stand in accordance with FIFA requirements, is already visible, and the lower level of the stands, which had been dismantled earlier, has been almost completely rebuilt.

The words Estadio Azteca have disappeared from the stadium’s surroundings, because in March the stadium was given the commercial name Estadio Banorte, receiving 2.1 billion pesos – over $100M – from its sponsor, the Banorte bank, for the stadium’s reconstruction. However, the new name will disappear in a few months - during the World Cup, in accordance with FIFA policy, the facility will be called Estadio Ciudad de México.

However, apart from the work in the iconic stadium’s surroundings, the facade still needs to be repainted and 2,200 m² of LED screens installed on it. Inside, work is still ongoing on the stands, after which workers will move on to finishing the interior and installing both the new turf and 87,000 seats in the stands. With this number, Estadio Azteca will surpass the Monumental and become the largest association football stadium in both Americas. But there are only 5 months left until the scheduled opening date and 8 months until the World Cup…

© Grupo Reforma | If works finish on time, Estadio Azteca will become the only venue in history to host three World Cups.