MEXICO CITY (AP) — Three giant cranes stand just meters from Mexico City’s main entrance. aztec stadium. Around them, construction vehicles are moving debris created by hundreds of workers rushing to prepare the stadium for reopening ahead of the race. 2026 world cup.
The iconic venue will host the opening three World Cup matches for the first time on June 11th when Mexico takes on South Africa, but is scheduled to reopen on March 28th. Mexico will play against Portugal In a friendly match.
The stadium, located south of Mexico City, will host five World Cup matches. Mexico previously hosted the tournament in 1970 and 1986. Opened in 1966, Azteca has undergone several renovations and will last host an NFL game in 2016.
It closed in May 2024 for much-needed renovations.
The project adds new seating in all sections, more video screens, new lighting and locker rooms, a new entrance to the new hybrid pitch, a new Wi-Fi system, two new large screens and a new sound system with 250 speakers.
Stadium director Felix Aguirre and stadium owner Emilio Azcárraga Gián said the new changing rooms and new entrance to the pitch were the most difficult parts, delaying the overall renovation.
“The contractors are saying yes (it’s going to be ready). I’m not a construction expert. They set the dates and they have meetings every week. I said I’m not an expert, but I don’t think their schedule is going to go as planned,” Azcarraga said last month. “There were a lot of challenges at first.”
Stadium owners say 82,000 of the new seats and a new hybrid pitch have all been installed, but workers are still working on hospitality areas and new luxury boxes, according to aerial photos taken Tuesday by The Associated Press.
A similar hybrid surface was installed in 2018; poor field conditions A last-minute venue change for the NFL game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Rams was forced. Natural grass was installed the following year. The new pitch has ventilation and drainage to withstand the heavy rains common in Mexico City.
The stadium is expected to have a capacity of 87,000 people when the World Cup begins on June 11th.
“The stadium has undergone a significant modernization process that will improve the experience for football fans in every aspect,” Aguirre said. “Rest assured, Mexico City’s iconic and iconic stadium is fully ready.”
There is still a lot of debris in the stadium parking lot, with old seats still lying on the ground.
“This first phase, which restarts and ends on March 28, is important, but after that we will continue with the rest of the work in preparation for the World Cup,” Azcarraga said. “And there’s still a lot to do. The project is complex, so we can’t do it all at once.”
The Mexico City government is also working on infrastructure development near the venue. The roads adjacent to the stadium will have new asphalt surfaces, new drainage systems and new sidewalks.
Construction also continues at the light rail station across from Azteca. The city is working to strengthen outdoor lighting and construct pedestrian bridges.
On game days, the Xochimilco light rail, known as Tren Ligero, is one of the fastest ways to get to the stadium. There are currently 20 trains, and the city government has purchased 17 more for the World Cup.
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