Estadio Azteca

Estadio Azteca (Aztecs Stadium) is the only stadium to have hosted two World Cup finals (in 1970 and in 1986).

The stadium was projected by the architects Pedro Ramírez Vázquez and Rafael Mijares Alcerra. The name of the stadium, Aztecs, is a homage to the ancient society that lived in the region. The stadium is built on lava ground of the extinguished volcano Xitle. Construction began in 1962 with the appointment of 12 architects, 34 engineers, 15 technicians, and 800 workmen that continuously worked to erect one of worlds largest stadiums.

The playing field is situated 9.5 meters (31 feet) under ground level and surrounded by three big rings of continuous tiers that follow a slightly curved profile. The stands run along the entire perimeter and, together with the roof structure, accentuate the horizontal outline of the stadium. The roof is slightly separated by the tribunes and is supported by a rectangular structure of supporting beams.

The outside of the stadium is characterized by the concrete structure of two upper rings. The pillars, that elegantly incline towards the inside, bow at the high-end to accompany the upper tiers and to define the outside image of the stadium.

The stadium is nicknamed "Il Coloso de Santa Úrsula" (the Colossus of Saint Úrsula) because of its imposing size. It was inaugurated in 1966 and renovated in 1986 to host the World Cup for the second time.

Source: www.worldstadiums.com