Estadio Azteca Dugout Canopy

Structure: Stadium canopy
Project Scope: Engineering, supply, fabrication, delivery, and installation of the structural steel and the ETFE cushion system
Project Size: 1,615 sqft
Material: ETFE cushions
Location: Mexico City, MX
Completion Date: August 2020
Owner: Grupo Televisa
General Contractor:
Architect: Populous
Structural Engineer:

Photo Credit: Populous and Televisa

The new canopy was inspired by the original tessellation on the Telstar and Azteca soccer balls designed and used during the previous 1970 and 1986 World Cup Finals in Mexico. Populous incorporated the hexagonal and pentagonal patterns into the design of the new dugout canopy that fans across the globe will immediately recognize as belonging to Mexico and the Azteca Stadium. Enclos Tensile Structures, the manufacturer that provided the PTFE fabric used on the exterior of Allianz Field in Minnesota, also produced and installed the ETFE polymer material used to create the new canopy. The air-filled pillows simultaneously protect players and officials from the elements while providing spectators and television cameras a clear view of the action through the transparent material.

Learn more about ETFE in our LEARN article: ETFE, The Intriguing Glass Replacement Material

Learn more about ETFE Cushions in our LEARN article: Our Experts Explain How ETFE Cushions Work

Thank you and well done on the wonderful work that you and your team at FabriTec did on the new dugout canopy at the Estadio Azteca, Mexico City.

The design development and project coordination that Populous and FabriTec went through on the early stages and during the fabrication process were critical in ensuring the quality of the finished design.

We look forward to collaborating again in the future.

Tim Reeves
Senior Associate

Populous