Roberto Ruano has a luxury box at Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium, giving him and his family privacy and comfort to watch soccer games and events. Despite the 2026 World Cup being hosted by Mexico and the United States at the stadium, Ruano expects FIFA to uphold the deal made during the stadium’s construction, which gives box owners unlimited access to their seats for 99 years. The association of 134 box owners, led by Ruano, insists that they have already paid for the right to be there and it cannot be debated.
FIFA desires full control of the World Cup stadiums 30 days before the first match and seven days after the last, posing a challenge in respects to the Azteca box owners’ rights. The boxes were sold to private investors by Mexican businessman Emilio Azcárraga Milmo in the 1960s to help fund the stadium’s construction, with owners receiving access for 99 years. There is a history of negotiation with FIFA during the 1986 World Cup when they allowed box owners to use their seats without additional payment, setting a precedent for the upcoming tournament.
The Azteca boxes are highly sought after in Mexico City, with current prices ranging from 15 to 25 million pesos. The 83,000-seat stadium will host five games during the 2026 World Cup, including the opening match. Ruano, who inherited the box from his father, is optimistic that a resolution can be reached after talks with stadium officials, although no specific proposal has been presented yet. Emilio Azcarraga Jean, the current stadium owner, aims to find a solution as his father sold the boxes to complete the stadium construction.
FIFA states that it is collaborating with all 16 host cities of the 2026 World Cup, including discussions on remodeling plans for Azteca Stadium. While specific details on fan access and match logistics will be announced later, Ruano mentions that some box owners outside of his association have agreed to give up their seats for the tournament in exchange for improvements to their boxes and other benefits. However, Ruano asserts that he has the right to be in his box and cannot be compelled to leave, likening it to being forced out of his own home.
The details of the remodeling plans for Azteca Stadium remain unclear, but Ruano believes that an agreement will be reached soon. The stadium, steeped in soccer history, will become the first venue to host games in three World Cups, a prestigious milestone. While negotiations continue between the box owners, stadium officials, and FIFA, the hope is to find a mutually beneficial solution that respects the rights of the box owners while accommodating the requirements of the World Cup tournament. Cooperation and dialogue are essential to reaching a resolution that satisfies all parties involved in this unique situation at Azteca Stadium.
