Estadio Cuauhtémoc is a football stadium located in the city of Puebla, Mexico. With a seating capacity of more than 51,000, it is the fourth biggest football stadium in Mexico by capacity. Since last 50 years, the stadium has been the home for Puebla F.C.
The stadium is considered to be an innovation in textile design and sports architecture in Mexico. It is the only stadium in Latin America to have a facade totally covered with ETFE.
History
Estadio Cuauhtémoc was built to serve as one of the playing venues of the football tournament of 1968. Initially the capacity of the stadium was 35,000, later increased for the 1986 FIFA World Cup to 51,726 by building two extra tiers on both long sides.
The stadium was officially opened on 6 October 1968, just before the start of the 1968 Summer Olympics hosted by Mexico. The official first match was one between the Mexican national team and the Czech Republic Olympic team. The match ended up in tie.
The Governor of Puebla, Rafael Moreno Valle Rosas announced the official project of renovation of the stadium in 2015 and the stadium got its new look. Existing stands and roof were renovated, while new upper decks arrived on both ends, also topped by a new lighter roof.
The stadium capacity was also increased from 42,648 to 51,726 spectators and reopened on 18 November 2015 with a friendly match between Puebla F.C. and Boca Juniors of Argentina.
Major Matches
The stadium has hosted one of the biggest events in sports. The first big event at the venue was 1968 Summer Olympics. Total seven matches from the event took place at this stadium including six group matches and one quarterfinal.
After two years of 1968 Summer Olympics, the stadium has hosted three games of 1970 FIFA World Cup and a few games of 1986 FIFA World Cup.
Other major tournaments hosted on the ground are CONCACAF Champions League, Copa Interamericana, 2013 CONCACAF Under-20 Championship, Liga MX, Segunda División de México, Ascenso MX, Copa MX, and Campeón de Campeones.
