A History Of Estadio Azul In 1 Minute

Currently home to Cruz Azul, the Mexico City football team that has played here for over twenty years, Estadio Azul is an iconic landmark of Mexico’s capital city with a long and illustrious history to match. Much loved despite its flaws, of which there are many, it made headlines recently due to the fact it’s set to be demolished after the 2017-2018 season. So, if you want to know more about it, you’ll either need to get there before it’s too late, or alternatively read on for our brief history of this historic stadium.

First opened in October 1946, Estadio Azul is the oldest football stadium in Mexico and was originally called Estadio Olímpico de la Ciudad de los Deportes. At this stadium, age doesn’t equal wisdom though. Despite having a capacity of just over 34,000, it’s cursed with an infamously abysmal infrastructure and little-to-no parking spaces – for this reason it never hosted a World Cup match. However, for all its flaws and location right in the midst of offices and residential developments, this haphazard arena is still looked upon fondly by millions of football fans across Mexico.

The stadium itself also marked a turning point in Mexican architecture, being constructed not from wood, but from concrete; while this may sound banal now, it was practically revolutionary back in the 40s. Yet perhaps the quirkiest architectural feature of Estadio Azul is that the pitch is situated below ground level – maybe in this high-altitude city the developers came over with a case of the ‘every little helps’. Or, as we’re more inclined to believe, the two holes in which Estadio Azul and it’s neighbouring bullring are situated were already present when development began!

Over the course of its 70-year history, Estadio Azul has played host to four different Mexican League football teams, including América, Atlante, Necaxa and Cruz Azul, although it was originally intended to be an American football stadium. Up until 1990, American football was still regularly played there and the stadium was in fact the host of the first non-US located NFL game in 1978. As far as football goes, some believe Estadio Azul may be the bringer of bad luck to the teams which have called it home; neither Necaxa nor América won a league title when they were based there, and the current home team Cruz Azul is famously cursed with the inability to lift the cup, despite having made it through to two separate finals.

Sporting events aren’t the only claim to fame of Estadio Azul though, as the late Juan Gabriel played a concert there in 1989. In fact, there are all manner of festivals held annually on the sunken pitch of this beloved stadium, and it’s served as the backdrop for both films and telenovelas. Hopefully one day before its destruction it’ll also serve as the backdrop for a Cruz Azul title win.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.