Mexico City

<p>There is no stadium on the planet with Estadio Azteca's curriculum vitae. Built in 1966 and perched at 2,250 meters (7,382 feet) above sea level in the southern reaches of Mexico City, the Azteca has hosted three FIFA World Cups — 1970, 1986, and now 2026 — a feat no other venue has matched or is likely to match. On June 11, 2026, when Mexico kicks off against South Africa in the tournament's opening match, the stadium will also claim another unique distinction: it will have hosted three World Cup opening matches.</p><p>The history embedded in those 87,523 seats is staggering. In 1970, Pelé lifted the Jules Rimet Trophy here after Brazil dismantled Italy 4-1 in what many still consider the greatest World Cup Final ever played. Sixteen years later, Diego Maradona turned this same turf into his personal stage — scoring the infamous 'Hand of God' goal and the 'Goal of the Century' against England in the same 1986 quarter-final, before returning to lift the trophy after Argentina defeated West Germany 3-2 in the final. Both goals were scored here. Both World Cups were decided here.</p><p>For 2026, the Azteca has undergone significant renovation: new LED screens throughout the bowl, a restored exterior facade, and completely rebuilt changing rooms bring the 60-year-old ground up to FIFA's modern standards while preserving its brutalist grandeur. The altitude remains a permanent feature — visitors acclimatizing from sea level will feel breathlessness during their first 48-72 hours, so arriving early is essential.</p><p>Beyond the stadium, Mexico City rewards extended stays. The Frida Kahlo Museum in Coyoacán, the Templo Mayor Aztec ruins, Chapultepec Park, the world-class Anthropology Museum, and the bohemian Roma and Condesa neighborhoods create one of the richest urban cultural ecosystems in the Americas. Many nationalities enter Mexico visa-free, making this the most internationally accessible stop on the entire 2026 tour.</p>