El Banorte StadiumThe stadium, known for decades as Estadio Azteca, is entering the final stretch of a historic renovation in which the new turf for the playing field It has become one of the major focuses of attentionOn the eve of its third World Cup, the capital's colossus is finalizing details to offer a surface that meets the demands of the tournament. FIFA and of the footballers who will play on it.
Just over six months after the opening clash between Mexico and South AfricaThe first images of the new green carpet have already been released. hybrid mat It aims to place the Mexican venue in the same league as the great stadiums of Europe.both in sporting performance and reliability in the face of a busy schedule of matches.
A colossus in the midst of transformation for the 2026 World Cup
With some 166 days until the start of the 2026 World CupWork on the Banorte Stadium is progressing smoothly, with an overall completion rate of nearly 70%. The Mexico City stadium will host... five World Cup matches between June and July, including the debut of the Mexican national team against South Africa.
The modernization of the venue is not limited to the field. The stands, boxes and VIP areas are being completely renovatedThe stadium features new fixed seats in the upper section, in white and gray tones, and red and white details in the lower section, referencing Banorte's corporate identity. The goal is to provide fans with a more comfortable, organized, and visually cohesive environment.
From the Mexican Football Federation to the very Gianni InfantinoThere is great anticipation to see how the stadium will look once all the work is completed. The venue aims to establish itself as one of the region's leading examples in terms of capacity and modernity., with a capacity of around 90.000 spectators.
In parallel with the structural works, Images have been leaked showing the new turf in the process of being installed.This has helped to partially calm the anxiety of many fans who are counting down the days until they can return to the popular 'Colossus of Santa Úrsula'.
The official reopening of Banorte has been set for March 2026, with the expectation of playing a high-level friendly match —a match between Mexico and Portugal has been mentioned— which will serve as the first major test of the new playing field and the renovated facilities.
Royalverd, the Spanish firm behind the new Banorte turf
La Spanish company Royalverd has been chosen to supply and install the new sports turf at Banorte StadiumWith extensive experience in elite football pitches and other sports facilities, the company handles not only the supply of the surface, but also technical advice and specialized maintenance.
Royalverd has Headquartered in Spain and with a recognized track record in international projectswhere they have developed turf solutions adapted to very different climates, uses, and requirements. Their work is not limited to laying the turf: it includes preliminary studies, system design, construction monitoring, and ongoing support to ensure the pitch remains stable throughout the competition.
The company's approach is based on combine technological innovation with ongoing staff trainingso that each facility meets the latest standards in sports performance, safety, and durability. This is particularly relevant in a setting like a World Cup, where intensive use can test any surface.
For Banorte, Royalverd's participation involves incorporating top-level European technology. One of the key elements of the renovation is the playing field. In a championship where group stage matches and knockout rounds will alternate, the consistency of the pitch becomes a decisive factor for the spectacle.
The choice of this company also responds to the need to comply with FIFA-endorsed certifications and protocols, which meticulously reviews the response of the grass in parameters such as traction, ball bounce, drainage or surface uniformity.
A hybrid turf designed for high demands
The new playing surface at Banorte Stadium is based on a hybrid turf systemthat is, a mixture of natural grass reinforced with synthetic fibers. This type of surface has become increasingly popular in the main European stadiums because it offers an unusual combination of naturalness, mechanical resistance and stability.
In practice, the synthetic structure acts as an internal skeleton, into which the natural grass is integrated. The result is a pitch that better withstands the wear and tear caused by frequent matches, training sessions, or sudden changes in weather, something especially useful in a month-long tournament with little time for the field to rest.
The hybrid system chosen for Banorte incorporates advanced drainage and aeration technologyThese solutions allow for rapid drainage of rainwater, reduce soil compaction, and promote constant root oxygenation, resulting in a healthier and more stable lawn over time.
Among the advantages most valued by specialists, the rug stands out It recovers its appearance and properties more quickly between matches.This is especially important during the World Cup, when the schedule leaves little room for in-depth maintenance work.
The investment in this technology aims to improve the Banorte field. It offers a predictable ball bounce, adequate traction, and a uniform surface.minimizing the risk of injury and maximizing the technical conditions for the footballers of the different national teams.
FIFA standards and comparison with other major stadiums
The installation of the new turf is part of Banorte's ongoing process of adapting to the FIFA standards required for World Cup venuesThese requirements range from the type of substrate and irrigation system to regular quality testing of the turf throughout the season prior to the tournament.
In this context, the goal is for the Mexica site It doesn't look out of place compared to stadiums in the United States and Canada. which will also host matches of the 2026 World Cup, many of them equipped with highly advanced hybrid or natural grass and top-level complementary facilities.
Banorte will have state-of-the-art LED lightingGiant screens and a resilient roof, whose structure has already been painted black and white, are among the improvements. These enhancements, along with the new pitch, aim to elevate the overall spectator experience and ensure high-quality television broadcasts, which also influences the perception of the pitch's condition.
Ahead of the tournament, FIFA will be monitoring issues such as the uniformity of color, the density of the grass, or the drainage capacity during episodes of heavy rainTo pass these audits, the role of Royalverd and the local maintenance team will be key in the preceding months.
In terms of reference, Banorte's technical approach aligns with what has already been seen in major European stadiums that have opted for hybrid models In recent years, a significant improvement in ground stability and continuity of play has been observed, even in challenging weather conditions.
World Cup schedule and testing of the new turf
Once the renovation is complete, the Banorte Stadium will host five matches of the 2026 World Cupwhich will serve as the final test for the new hybrid turf and for the rest of the improvements implemented in the facility.
At group stageThe planned schedule includes the following matches in Mexico City:
- Mexico vs South Africa, on Thursday, June 11, 2026, the tournament's opening match for the host team.
- Uzbekistan vs Colombia, on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, a match corresponding to Group K.
- Mexico vs UEFA qualifier (UEFA D), on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, the second match of the Mexican national team in this venue.
Subsequently, the stadium will host several knockout rounds. Specifically, it is scheduled to host a round of 32 Tuesday, June 30th and a round of XNUMX match On Sunday, July 5th, there will be clashes where the competitive demands will be at their highest and where the condition of the playing field will be under the microscope of fans and analysts.
During these weeks, the grass will have to face temperature changes, possible rain episodes, and a succession of encounters in very short intervals, a scenario for which the hybrid system installed by Royalverd has been specifically designed.
Before that event, the organizers are considering holding several friendly matches and test events in March and April 2026, in order to adjust maintenance protocols and check how the mat responds to different intensive use situations.
This entire testing process will allow us to detect possible improvements in irrigation, mowing, turf nutrition, or match load management, so that the The field will arrive at the start of the World Cup in the best possible condition.
The progress of the works and, specifically, the images of new turf at Banorte Stadium They have generated great excitement among fans and professionals. With Royalverd's hybrid technology, state-of-the-art drainage and aeration systems, and a commitment to meeting FIFA's stringent requirements, the historic Mexican stadium is preparing to offer a pitch on par with the great European stadiums and become, once again, one of the central venues of the World Cup.
