Introduction
Some stadia in the world have one defining moment in their history that reminds people of the setting, the focus of my next article has a countless number of these moments and as such has a claim to be the most important stadium in footballing history.
The Estadio Azteca located in a middle to upper class suburb of Mexico City, Mexico has been the stage on which some of football’s greatest moments have unfolded. The setting for matches from two World Cups, numerous international matches, domestic title winning sides and some of the biggest musical acts of the past hundred years. A stadium of this size certainly has the history to match.
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| The imposing Estadio Azteca at night with Mexico City as a background. |
Quick Stats
Location: Mexico City, Mexico
Date Opened: May 1966
Capacity: 105,064
Highest Attendance: 136,274 for boxing match in February 1993
Current Tenants: America (MEX), Mexican National Team,
Nicknames: Guillermo Caneda Stadium, Coloseo de Santa Ursula (Colossus of Saint Ursula)
Foundations
The ideas of a Mexican national stadium were realised by renowned Mexican architects Pedro Ramírez Vázquez and Rafael Mijares Alcérreca with an eye for completion for the 1968 Olympics Games and 1970 World Cup. As with many stadium projects, a major sporting event provides the catalyst for the government to commission the construction of such a major project. And given the end product, major is one of many words to describe the Estadio Azteca with an opening capacity of 115,000 the aim.
The two architects spent a few years travelling the length and breadth of the globe to sample the existing stadia in use at the time, allowing them to gather inspiration for the colossal task at hand. Ground work began in August 1962 when 180 million kilos of volcanic were cleared from the site and foundation construction was begun after extensive testing of the ground conditions.
Constructed from a series of reinforced concrete supports which support three massive concrete ring beams forming the three distinct tiers of the massive stadium. A common construction technique of the time, many American football stadia were constructed in a similar style, it is rumoured to have required 100,000 tonnes of concrete to complete.
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| The external 'bones' of the stadium constructed from reinforced concrete which support three concrete ring beams which in turn, support the three tiers of the stadium. |
The opening ceremony in May 1966 was a friendly which saw residents Club America play host to Torino FC in front of 107,494 spectators. The first kick at the stadium was taken by then President of Mexico Gustavo Díaz Ordaz and the match finished with a 2-2 draw.
A modern lighting system was installed in June of 1966 to allow the stadium to be utilised for night games, the first of which was between Spanish side Valencia and then tenants Necaxa. Valencia wound up winners 3-1.
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| The original Estadio Azteca before the addition of the roof in 1967, very similar in style to many American Football stadia of the time. |
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| The addition of the roof gives the stadium it's distinctive look while providing shelter to the spectators. |
1985 Renovation
When Mexico were awarded the 1986 World Cup following the success of their previous hosting of the tournament in 1970, FIFA requested that the stadium be upgraded. In order to be able to accommodate the growing presence of television production, executive boxes and additional safety measures required to host a World Cup event.
The addition of executive boxes was incorporated between the lower first tier and upper second tier and circle the entire perimeter of the stadium. Amendments to the layout of the stadium were also implemented due to the impact of the Heysel Stadium disaster of the previous year. Stadium evacuation plans were implemented including safety doors allowing fans on to the pitch in an emergency. The stadium can be safely evacuated from full to empty in 18 minutes. Additional aesthetic additions to the stadium were also added.
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| The incorporation of the executive boxes between the first and second tiers allowed the stadium to match modern football requirements. |
The only stadium in world football to host the World Cup Final on more than one occasion, the Estadio Azteca holds the mystique and awe inspiring moments that many stadia can only dream of. The location of Pele and Maradona lifting their final World Cup trophies and the scene of some of the finest football of the World Cup gives this stadium a rightful place in footballing folklore.
Famous Match
Having hosted two World Cup finals and plenty of other major sporting events, it would be cruel (and tough!) to simply pick one match to highlight. So I’m going to cheat and cover three of them!
Game of the Century
One of the most famous World Cup matches dubbed the ‘Game of the Century’ between Italy and West Germany during the 1974 World Cup was played at the Estadio Azteca. An early goal for Italy looked to have sealed their progression to the final when German left back Karl-Heinz Schnellinger popped up with a goal in stoppage time to take the tie into extra time. What followed was one of the most incredible periods of extra time in football. Germany took the lead through the prolific Gerd Muller, Italy equalised (through defender Tarcisio Burgnich) before forward Luigi Riva gave Italy the lead in 104th minute. Germany once again levelled the match through Muller before a minute later (while television audiences watch the replay of Muller’s goal) Gianni Rivera scored to settle the match and Italy’s progression. An incredible five goals scored in extra-time, still a record in World Cups to this day.
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| The Plaque on the external wall of the stadium to commemorate the 'Game of the Century'. |
Hand of God/Goal of the Century
Maradona's performance against England in the quarter finals of the 1986 World Cup is one of those moments that you simply have to sit back and applaud. For all the hatred garnered from the infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal this would have been the standout talking point in most matches. His second and decisive goal would provide the yin to the yang of his first, an astonishing goal showcasing the individual abilities of the mercurial Argentine. Taking the ball from his own half and running at the England defence, ghosting past them like they’re not there before rounding Peter Shilton and sliding the ball into the net. Such was the class of this goal; a bronze plaque was placed outside of the stadium to commemorate this iconic moment in football history occurring at an iconic ground.
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| Maradona's infamous 'Hand of God' goal wouldn't be the only talking point of the match. His exceptional 'Goal of the Century' second goal took some of the headlines away from his first. |
First Regular Season NFL Match Outside of America
Outside of football, another sport would utilise the massive Azteca stadium in an attempt to increase the popularity of its sport, the NFL. The Estadio Azteca would host the first ever regular season game outside of the United States when the Arizona Cardinals (the acting home team) hosted the San Francisco 49’ers. The home team would win the match 31-14 in front of the then largest recorded crowd for an NFL regular season match of 103,467 fans. This record was later broken in 2009 at the new Cowboys Stadium.
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| The first regular season NFL game to be held outside of the United States was a sellout at the Estadio Azteca. |
A Quote From Someone More Qualified Than I
"We lost the 1986 (FIFA World Cup) Final in the Estadio Azteca which, in my opinion, is the most beautiful stadium in the world. I love it, simple as that. It will go down forever as the greatest footballing symbol there is, even though there are other footballing temples scattered around the world.“
Rudi Voller
Rudi Voller
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