One year before the 2026 World Cup, this is what the Banorte Stadium looks like after the renovation.

Exactly 367 days before the start of the 2026 World Cup , new images of the remodeling process of the Banorte Stadium , formerly known as the Azteca Stadium , the venue for the opening match to be played on June 11 of next year, were released.

The specialized account “Estadios de México” , focused on the country's sports venues, shared three new photographs on the X platform, where the progress of the renovation of the so-called Coloso de Santa Úrsula can be seen, a venue that must comply with the guidelines established by FIFA before the tournament.

One of the major updates is the construction of new underground locker rooms. According to the publication, the concrete base on which they will be located has been completed, and this will be the point where teams will walk onto the field. In this phase, work has begun on the columns that will support the new section of the stands in that area.

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On social media, several users expressed concern about the speed of the project, considering there's only a year left until the tournament kicks off. Despite this, the organizers have reiterated that they are working to meet deadlines and deliver the stadium on time.

In addition to the locker rooms, other improvements to the venue were announced, including the installation of a new VIP lounge, the relocation of the press box, and the addition of a completely new area. LED lights will also be installed on the stadium's 66 columns, as well as a screen on the roof crest, to modernize the viewing experience for fans.

“The roof crest will also function as an LED screen. The 66 columns will be illuminated. The blue area shows the new locker rooms, the press box will be at the top (yellow), and the VIP lounge will also be located in the yellow area,” the account shared.

The stadium, home of Club América and the Mexican national team, will be the first in history to host three World Cup opening matches, having done so in 1970 and 1986. The renovation seeks to adapt the facility to current FIFA standards and the needs of the global event.

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