Iconic Estadio Azteca stadium where Diego Maradona scored The Hand of God goal to be renamed as part of £80MILLION deal
THE iconic Estadio Azteca is set to be renamed the Estadio Banorte as part of an £80million sponsorship deal.
Mexico‘s national stadium – where Diego Maradona scored his Hand of God goal against England in 1986 – has undergone several renovations since it opened in 1966.
It is undergoing changes in order to be fully modernised in time for next year’s World Cup.
To help finance the redevelopments, a sponsorship deal has been reached with Mexican bank Banorte that will see the 81,000-capacity ground’s name change.
A statement read: “Banorte and Grupo Ollamani proudly announce a partnership that includes financing, advertising, and sponsorship elements to modernize and transform this historic stadium, a symbol of Mexican football and culture.
“From today, the Cathedral of World Football will be known as Estadio Banorte.”
The arrangement will see the stadium receive £80million in financing.
Strict Fifa sponsorship rules, however, will dictate that the stadium will still be referred to as Estadio Azteca throughout next year’s World Cup.
Renovations will see improved LED screens introduced, new interior spaces built, moved media seats and improved changing rooms – in addition to an increased capacity of 90,000.
Mexican side Club America also play their home games at the Estadio Azteca.
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Last year they temporarily moved to Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes, however, due to the Azteca’s revelopment works.
It’s hoped that the Azteca will be ready for Club America to return by December.
The Azteca will be the biggest stadium used for the 2026 World Cup and is scheduled to host two of Mexico’s three group matches, including the tournament’s opening game on June 11 next year.
This will make the Azteca the first stadium to ever host three World Cup openers, having also done so in 1970 and 1986.
Despite the stadium’s prestige, only five of the tournament’s 104 matches will take place in Mexico City.
Its last will be a round of 16 clash on July 5.
In comparison, the Estadio Azteca hosted ten games at the 1970 World Cup and nine in 1986.
One of the matches it hosted during the latter was England‘s quarter-final exit to Argentina.
The match remains legendary for Diego Maradona‘s double – one a sensational weaving run and finish, the other the infamous Hand of God.
With the Azteca still possessing terracing in those days, the match was watched by 114,580 people.