Guide to Estadio Azteca
In a country where soccer is everything, Estadio Azteca stands tall. It is without a doubt, the most iconic stadium in Mexico. It currently has a capacity for 87,523 fans, but once had a capacity for more than 110,000 fans and was the largest stadium in the world. It has such a rich history, hosting 2 World Cup finals and seeing goals from Pele and Maradona and a variety of other players.
It is the home stadium for the Mexican National Team and Liga MX’s Club América, which is also one of the nation’s most popular club teams.
The stadium also hosts other marquee events, such as, concerts or social gatherings. It is a can’t miss attraction in the city with rich history and a place that will light up when a goal is scored.
Location
Estadio Azteca is in the southern part of the city, considerably far away from the city center at about 16 kms. As a tourist, the best way to get there would be to Uber, or taxi. The public transportation is far cheaper, but it is unsafe and extremely complicated to use.
Traditions and Ambience
Wear comfortable clothes, the seats are a bit small and you do feel a bit packed in, but it is amazing to go and see a local Club América game and to see the fan zone, with the most passionate people in the city, waving flags and having a good time. Make sure you join the stadium wave when it comes nearby. There's a lot to soak in
The best rivalries to go see at the Azteca are America vs. Cruz Azul, Chivas, Monterrey, Toluca, U.N.A.M, Tigres or Santos. These teams have a rich history of rivalries between them.
Extra Tips
Finally , some extra tips to make your trip safer or more enjoyable are in order:
Don´t wear a belt, you can´t enter the Stadium with a belt on. The reason is due to the aggressiveness of the fans.
Be sure to leave 5-10 minutes before the game ends. This is mostly because the stadium gets packed and it takes hours to exit once the game is done.
If you take your car, you can park it in the stadium, where they charge around $5 USD so you can park it there, it will be safe, but it's such a huge parking lot that sometimes you misplace your car, so check for references. The earlier you get there, the better the parking spot.
Go with an empty stomach, food portions are very big in the stadium. Enjoy yourself and try the delicacies.
This is a bit of an ugly point but real nonetheless, if the home team loses, the fans throw a tantrum and sometimes police can get in the way, so be mindful of your surroundings all the time,
If the game is at night, take a jacket. It can get very chilly down there
You can pick up game tickets in the stadium or buy them online. There are also a variety of shops that sell “Ticketmaster” which is the ticket brand. (https://www.ticketmaster.com.mx/estadio-azteca-boletos-mexico/venue/163913).
Finally Mexico has no Covid requirements for entering the country, other than your passport, but to enter the stadium, they must take your temperature and give a bit of sanitizer.
Overall going to the Azteca Stadium is such a good experience to see Mexican culture at its prime, both for better or worse. It is true that Mexico is a bit dangerous, but if you keep to safe zones and under the light at all times, you should have a great time.