Here I am – at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City!!
Here goes. This is a big one. A big one for me personally. Every single time I hear the mention of Maradona, Norman Whiteside, Jose Batista, Joel Bats etc. I get inspired. The 1986 World Cup Finals in Mexico were my first major childhood memory. Northern Ireland qualified. We punched well above our weight, defying the odds by beating a Gheorghe Hagi Romania as well as a strong Finland and Turkey team, and we finished second in our group to qualify. Big Pat Jennings and Alan McDonald took my wee country of 1.6 million people to the World Cup in Mexico. Our second successive World Cup and I get goose pimples even now just thinking about it. Northern Ireland in the World’s top 24!!
Northern Ireland fans in Mexico in 1986 – recognise yourself?
Even better, in Espana 82 we almost made the semi finals, yes if Martin O’Neill’s goal had been given in the match against France, we may have gone on to win. In Mexico 86 we finished a respectable third in a group with Spain, Brazil and Algeria. Not bad at all!
On the way to Estadio Azteca in Mexico City to live out a pure childhood dream. Immense!
Fast forward a notch then as I want to get this down on paper (or on internet) while I have the chance and the memory is fresh. I made yet another Maradona pilgrimage this week. Following my 2010 trip to La Bombonera in La Boca, Buenos Aires, Argentina, I decided it was time to hit one of the greatest football stadiums on the planet – Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
Estadio Azteca, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico.
Why is Estadio Azteca Famous?
There are a few reasons – firstly it is one of only 2 stadiums to host the World Cup Final twice (the other is the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). Also the Brazil 1970 team won the World Cup here – including Pele. Jairzinho, Carlos Alberto. Maradona did his “Hand of God” and his “glory goal” here. Hugo Sanchez scored his goals in the 86 World Cup and also…Maradona lifted the World Cup here. The stadium is also home of Club America, the Mexican team.
Maradona was here – Hand of God statue in the Estadio Azteca!
Facts About the Estadio Azteca
– It hosted the 1970 World Cup Final: Italy 1-4 Brazil
– It hosted the 1986 World Cup Final: Argentina 3-2 West Germany
– It is the stadium where Maradona scored the “Hand of God” goal
– It is the largest football specific stadium in the world
– It holds 105,064 people
– Construction began in 1961 and it opened in 1966
– The stadium has held a total of 19 FIFA World Cup Finals matches, a record
– In 1999 Mexico beat Brazil 4-3 here to win the Confederations Cup
– Irish Rock Band U2 have also played here
Estadio Azteca hosted the 1986 and 1970 World Cups.
How to get to Estadio Azteca?
Get on the metro in Mexico City and head to the southernmost station on the blue line – Tasquena. I was staying in the awesome Casa San Ildefonso so I got on at Zocalo and stayed all the way to the end. Tasquena is the final stop. Cost for a single journey is 5 Mexican Pesos (about 40 cents US).
Tasquena on the Mexico City metro system.
From Tasquena, walk to the train station (it’s next to the metro station) and get the train headed for Xochimilco. Xochimilco is the final stop but you want to get off after 9 stops at Estadio Azteca station. Cost for a single journey is 3 Mexican Pesos (about 30 cents US) however you’ll need a card to buy a ticket and the card costs 8 Mexican Pesos, but can be re-used.
Arrival at Estadio Azteca station on the train.
Board the train and get off at Estadio Azteca and turn right when you get off – over the bridge. You can’t miss the stadium in all honesty!
Puerta 1 is the entrance you want.
You can also get a bus there. Head to Plaza San Miguel and as you face to the front of the main church, the street on the right, San Geronimo Street has mini-buses which head straight to Estadio Azteca.
Doing the Maradona at the Hand of God end!
Arrival at Estadio Azteca
Once you arrive at Estadio Azteca head for Entrance Number 1/Puerta 1. This will have a security gate entrance and when you walk up to it just say you are here for a tour. You don’t need to book tours in advance and you should plan it by checking the times and schedules. For example on a Club America match day there will be no tours of course.
Arrival at Estadio Azteca.
Times of the Tours of Estadio Azteca
The tours of Estadio Azteca are on everyday except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. They run from 10 am to 5pm Monday to Friday and from 10 am to 1 pm on Sundays. Match days should also be avoided.
Opening times of the tours.
Price of the tours of Estadio Azteca
It’s a flat rate of 70 Mexican Pesos per person. You get issued with a ticket and are given a full guided tour of the stadium. The tour will be held in Spanish and one guy can translate for you. You buy your ticket at the entrance and office.
Ticket office
My ticket for Estadio Azteca tour.
Ready for the tour!
The Start of the Tour
The tour starts in a small cafe/restaurant, the highlight here is the Maradona Hand of God bronze statue!
Doing the Diego!
Maradona hand of God statue.
Plaques Outside the Stadium
We then are told the history of the stadium, which was built and opened in the 1960s. Plaques marking the stadiums’ greatest games are outside. I take the opportunity to get a photo by the Mexico 86 plaque, as Northern Ireland qualified for the World Cup that year.
Plaque marking opening of Estadio Azteca in the 60s.
Mexico 86 Plaque
Plaque about the famous Maradona match where he punched one in and then scored the goal of the century in a 2-1 Quarter Final win v. England in 1986.
Wall of Fame
The “wall of fame” shows every club and country that has played at this stadium as well as the dates. Scotland, Celtic, England and Sheffield Wednesday are among the British teams who have played here. No Northern Irish, Welsh or Iris team features on the wall and I notice a glaring error – Penarol, from Uruguay (who I used to go to watch when I studied in Montevideo) are down as Paraguayan!
The Penarol error on the Wall of Fame.
Wall of Fame.
Thumbs down for Sheffield Wednesday.
Dressing Room and Tunnel
We are told no pictures in the actual dressing room and we respect this but we walk down through the tunnel on route.
Heading down the players tunnel.
Players tunnel.
Pitchside – The “Hand of God end”
This is the best bit. I stand on the pitch at the end where Maradona scored the Hand of God goal and I glance down at where I reckon the exact spot was. We are then told you’re not actually allowed on the pitch and I can understand why – it’s in pristine immaculate condition and is one of the best turfs I’ve seen, maybe the best.
Pitchside at the Estadio Azteca.
The end where Maradona scored those 2 famous goals!
Northern Ireland flag at Estadio Azteca, Mexico City.
On the pitch at Estadio Azteca.
Pitchside – by the half way line
We then walk round to the half way line for more photos and views.
Pitchside by the half way line.
Pitchside by the half way line.
Pitchside by the half way line.
Grandstand
We are in the stand now enjoying the views of the pitch. We yell and scream and you can hear the vibration and echoes all over the stadium.
In the stand.
In the stand at Estadio Azteca.
In the stand at Estadio Azteca.
After that we go back out to where the tour began and that’s it over. The whole tour must have lasted about an hour and a half.
My visit to Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico.
All in all this was an incredible tour and I loved Mexico City so hopefully more posts to follow! Here are the videos I made at Estadio Azteca:
Maradona’s two gaols v. England in Mexico 86:
1986 World Cup Final – West Germany 2-3 Argentina:
1970 World Cup Final – Brazil 4-1 Italy:
I can only imagine what that would have been like watching Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal in person followed by the Goal of the Century! Especially with 105,000 other fans. Whenever Mexico hosts the World Cup again, I so plan on going with the hope of getting tickets to this amazing Stadium! Failing that, I will just go to check it out on a regular trip to Mexico City while Club America is playing their regular season. Thanks for the post!
Ray – I loved this stadium – one of the best – and that’s a great idea – and I have heard that because the stadium fits 105,000 only a few matches per season actually sell out completely with Club America but do check just in case beforehand. Having had 2 World Cups in the space of 16 years (only country ever to have that), I’d guess it will be a while before they get it again, but it’s a fantastic country so I hope they do!! Mucho Cerveza, tortillas, tequillas, mezcales, nachos, tacos, enchiladas etc.! Safe travels. Jonny
I don’t care what anyone says, Maradona’s second goal, the wonder goal, was an OWN GOAL, 100%, defender slid in right at the last moment and put it in. As for the first goal – Cheating Bastard! Yes he was an amazing player, but to me, an Englishman, he will always the cheat who robbed us blind! The stadium looks amazing Jonny, you are certainly seeing some amazing football related sights in the last few months!
Hi Paul! Thanks for the comment – really appreciate your honesty and sticking to your English guns! I have a load of English mates however when it comes to football, I’m Northern Ireland through and through (and I was at the match when Northern Ireland beat England 1-0 in 2005). But Maradona was a big hero of mine in those days and I know he cheated and the final touch on the superb second goal is debated, but the history book states Maradona scored 2. Can I also remind you that Geoff Hurst’s history book states he scored 3 (THREE) in the 1966 Final? 😉 And one of those is hotly debated!Great stadium though! Safe travels. Jonny
He was a great player Jonny I agree there, a very special talent. Ha I should have known you would mention that goal!!! I personally don’t think it was a goal, from the replays I’ve seen, the ball looked like it didn’t fully cross the line – Might have been a different story if they had goal-line technology back then!
Ha ha – yes but at the end of the day the Hurst and Maradona goals are history and both teams won a World Cup out of it – so it might not be all bad! Safe travels. Jonny
I don’t know if your blog is still active now or not but i will try to comment here.
I’m a Neapolitan, a supporter of Napoli, a disciple of Diego because he’s the Football.
I’m a student of economics and business in my hometown and i also write for an important football blog of my country because football is my real passion. For Diego’s birthday, i write an article in which i tried to explain what is Diego for our Neapolitans, what i have understood during my life. You can read it here: http://zonacesarini.net/2016/10/29/carosello-napoletano-maradona/
One day i will be in the Azteca stadium for two reasons: Diego’s match against the “perfidious Albion” and the “match of the century” between my national team and the fucking bastards of Germany in 1970, we call that match as “ItaliaGermaniaQuattroATre” in a single word.
Hope you will read this comment and leave a reply but even if you don’t, I greet you with affection.
Giovanni from Napoli, the city of Diego.
Giovanni recently posted…Il suono del gol: Toni Polster, l’uomo che fece ballare l’Austria
Hi Giovanni, thanks for the comment. That is really interesting, thanks. I have NEVER been to Napoli and would love to visit one day. Maradona was a big hero of mine and I loved the 1986 World Cup. I would love the chance to see the Napoli stadium. Great writing and good luck with your football tours from an AFC Bournemouth, Northern Ireland and Glentoran FC supporter. Jonny