MEXICO CITY — Azteca Stadium, renowned for its historical significance in global soccer, has been rechristened as Banorte Stadium in anticipation of its third time hosting the FIFA Men’s World Cup next year. This change reflects a new partnership with Banorte, a prominent Mexican bank, and marks a significant milestone for Latin America’s largest soccer arena, which boasts a capacity of 87,500 seats, as announced by the stadium’s owner, Ollamani.
The stadium’s naming rights were secured as part of a financial agreement involving a loan of 2.1 billion pesos (approximately $105 million), to be repaid over a twelve-year period, according to Ollamani’s declarations to the Mexican Stock Exchange. Emilio Azcárraga Jean, who owns Ollamani, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration with Banorte, who are set to help modernize the iconic stadium. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the stadium’s historical essence and architectural design, which has been acclaimed for decades, ensuring it remains a premier venue to showcase Mexico’s cultural and sporting prestige on the global stage.
Closed for renovations since May, Azteca’s reinauguration is expected before the end of the year, although specific details about the upgrades have not been disclosed by Ollamani or Azcárraga Jean. Initially, plans included significant renovations to build an adjoining shopping center and hotel. However, these plans faced opposition from local residents of the Santa Úrsula neighborhood, located in the southern part of Mexico City.
Recent images released by Ollamani illustrate ongoing work concentrated on the pitch and the stadium’s lower seating areas. Steeped in soccer history, Azteca Stadium was the first venue to host two World Cup finals, including the legendary matches won by Pele’s Brazil in 1970 and Diego Maradona’s Argentina in 1986. As Mexico gears up to co-host the 2026 World Cup alongside the United States and Canada, Banorte Stadium will be a key venue, scheduled to hold five matches, including significant fixtures in the round of 32 and round of 16 stages.