FIFA World Cup 2026,The Azteca Stadium In Mexico Set To Feature A Hybrid Pitch

Azteca Stadium is getting some cool upgrades for the 2026 World Cup, including a hybrid field, revamped locker rooms, elevators, and hospitality areas.

Ollamani, the company behind the stadium, also announced on Wednesday (June 11, 2025) that Azteca will be reopening on March 26, just 75 days ahead of the World Cup, as recently stated by Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada.

The famous venue shut its doors last May for some renovations in preparation for next year’s 48-team tournament taking place in Mexico, the United States, and Canada.

The Azteca, which can hold 83,000 fans and has recently been renamed, is set to host five matches, including the opening game of the tournament. It also held the first matches during the World Cups in 1970 and 1986.

This will be the second time Azteca has a hybrid pitch, the first one was put in place in 2018 but switched back to natural grass just a year later. The bad field conditions in November 2018 led to a last-minute venue change for an NFL game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Rams.

“The project is set to add new facilities in the competition zones, enhancing the experience for players, fans, and media, aligning with the latest stadiums globally”, the company stated.

The new locker rooms are going to be situated at the center of the stadium, right under the luxury boxes, with a tunnel that leads directly to the pitch. Previously, they were located at the north and south ends of the stadium.

The plan features the installation of large LED screens both inside and outside the stadium. Prior to the upgrades, the stadium only had two large screens that were put in place back in 2015.

The hospitality zones were definitely needed. The old stadium had a tiny concession area outside, but there were no food courts inside, so fans had to rely on vendors wandering through the seating area.

In addition to other upgrades, the stadium owner revealed plans for a new press box, better restrooms, a 200-unit CCTV surveillance system, and a brand new sound system.

At first, there was a big renovation in the works that included a shopping center and a hotel, but the residents of Santa Úrsula, a well-known neighborhood south of the capital, were against it.

Earlier this year, photos came out showing the work done on the field and the lower seating areas. It seems the luxury boxes haven’t been updated at all since some owners are unwilling to let FIFA use them.

Recently, the box owners lodged a complaint with Mexico’s consumer protection agency to get some answers about how the seating will be used for the 2026 World Cup.