Estadio Banorte
Mexico 0-0 Portugal in goalless Estadio Banorte reopening match marred by fan death
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Mexico held Portugal to a 0-0 draw in the March 28 friendly that reopened the remodeled Estadio Banorte (formerly Azteca), testing upgrades for its five 2026 World Cup matches, including the opener. As previewed in prior coverage of preparations and Cristiano Ronaldo's absence, the event saw a 27-year-old fan's fatal fall from a suite, nearby protests over missing persons, homophobic chants, and operational issues like digital entry delays.
Mexico vs. Portugal friendly inaugurates remodeled Estadio Banorte amid Ronaldo absence and protests
The March 28 friendly between Mexico and Portugal marked the reopening of Estadio Banorte (formerly Azteca) after a $300 million remodel for the 2026 World Cup. Cristiano Ronaldo missed the match due to injury but soon resumed training, sparking online memes. The event drew protests, extended public transport, and featured a cashless payment system.
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Following the initial pre-sale suspension due to technical failures, Fanki's ticket sales for the March 2026 Mexico vs. Portugal friendly resumed and sold out rapidly, fueling fan frustration and calls for investigation into potential irregularities.