The wait is over! The NFL returns to the Azteca
After four long years, the news that all fans wanted to hear arrived. Roger Goodell, the league’s commissioner, took advantage of the Super Bowl preview in San Francisco to announce: the NFL will play again in Mexico in December 2026.
The stage will be the renovated Coloso de Santa Úrsula, now called Banorte Stadium. The improvements made for the 26 World Cup were key to making this dream come true.
“The dream of millions of Mexican fans was fulfilled and the stars of the NFL will play in the Coloso de Santa Úrsula”,
A story that continues to grow
This will be the sixth regular season game we have hosted. The relationship with the league is long: it began with exhibition games in 1978 and made the leap to official matches in 2005. Remember that one? It was San Francisco vs Arizona, the first official NFL game outside the United States.
The last one we experienced was in 2022, with a resounding victory for the 49ers over the Cardinals (38-10). Now, the countdown to the next show has already begun.
The league does not stop its global expansion. For next season they plan up to nine international matches. In addition to Mexico, there will be action for the second time at the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid and, for the first time, in Melbourne (Australia) and Paris (France).
A look at the past:
- From 1978 to 2001 we had seven preseason games.
- From 2005 to date, five exciting regular season games, all at Azteca.
The passion for American football in our country has a confirmed appointment. We just need to know which teams we will have the honor of receiving. Let’s get ready!




