11/06/2026
The World Cup clock is ticking.
This Thursday, the 2026 Football World Cup kicks off at the iconic Estadio Azteca — now known as Estadio Banorte in Mexico City. Following what will undoubtedly be a memorable opening ceremony, host nation Mexico will face South Africa in the tournament’s opening match.
Excitement is building, expectations are high, and the pressure is on for everyone involved.
One thing, however, is already ready for the world stage: the playing surface.
As part of the stadium’s extensive renovation, the pitch was completely rebuilt last year. GrassMax Systems’ experienced construction, installation, and maintenance partner, Royal Verd, delivered a field built to the highest standards that a tournament of this magnitude requires and deserves.
The pitch is reinforced with GrassMax Systems’ hybrid grass technology, providing the durability and performance needed to withstand the intense playing schedule of a World Cup. Unlike many tournament venues where hybrid reinforcement is installed only for the event itself, Estadio Banorte will continue to benefit from this technology long after the final whistle.
As the home of Club América, Cruz Azul, and the Mexican National Team, the stadium hosts an exceptionally demanding calendar throughout the year. Maintaining a world-class playing surface is therefore not just a tournament requirement—it’s a long-term necessity.
For GrassMax Systems, this marks a special milestone: it is the second consecutive Football World Cup in which the tournament’s opening match will be played on a pitch reinforced with GrassMax technology. The opening game of the 2022 Football World Cup in Qatar was played at Al Bayt Stadium, where the same technology delivered outstanding performance throughout the tournament and continues to support the playing surface today.As GrassMax, we are extremely proud to be part of this amazing venue and to contribute to the stage on which some of the world’s greatest football moments will unfold. We wish all teams competing at Estadio Banorte a fantastic tournament and every success on and off the field.