Experience the legacy of Estadio Azteca on Google Earth.

Ashwani Kumar — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 12:54:00 +0000

Experience the legacy of Estadio Azteca on Google Earth.

Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca made soccer history last month during the tournament opener between Mexico and South Africa. In hosting this match, it became the first stadium in the world to host games in three global soccer showdowns: 1970, 1986 and 2026.

And now you can experience the storied arena without being in the stands.

Through a Google Earth and Fundación ICA collaboration, you can get an up-close look at Estadio Azteca through an interactive digital canvas and imagery dating to the 1960s.

From its origins in 1961 to the clashes that crowned legends like Pelé and Maradona, the stadium has been home to six decades of sporting history that are now yours to explore. Experience the full story and take the field on Google Earth.

Estadio Azteca in 1963. Courtesy of ICA Foundation Historical Archive

Estadio Azteca in 1970, the first year the stadium hosted the tournament. Courtesy of ICA Foundation Historical Archive

Estadio Azteca in 1970. Courtesy of ICA Foundation Historical Archive

Estadio Azteca in 1986, the second year the stadium hosted the tournament. Courtesy of ICA Foundation Historical Archive

You can experience the 60-year sporting legacy of Mexico City’s legendary Estadio Azteca directly on Google Earth through a brand-new interactive digital canvas launched in collaboration with Fundación ICA. [1]

This special project was released to mark a historic milestone for the “Coloso de Santa Úrsula.” Following its major modernizing renovations, the stadium hosted the opening match of the global football tournament on June 11, 2026, making it the first venue in the world to host three separate premier world tournaments (1970, 1986, and 2026). [2, 3, 4]

What to Explore in the Interactive Experience

Historical Time Travel: Dive into archive imagery dating all the way back to 1961 to see the stadium’s blueprint and foundation work. [1, 3]
Relive Legendary Feats: Explore the exact patches of grass where Pelé cemented his legacy in 1970 and Diego Maradona scored his famous “Goal of the Century” in 1986. [2]
Evolution From Space: Watch satellite timelines showing how Mexico City’s urban grid completely built up around the stadium over six decades. [5]
The 2026 Transformation: View up-close 3D renderings and imagery showing its newest multi-million dollar modernizations, including a revamped hybrid pitch, LED lighting, and massive new video screens. [3, 6, 7, 8]

How to Access the Tour

Open the Google Earth Web Platform or mobile app. [9]
Search for “Estadio Azteca” or navigate directly via the official Google Earth Estadio Azteca Storyline page. [1]
Click the interactive timeline layers to shift between the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and present-day 3D views. [1, 3, 10]