As Club América’s iconic Estadio Azteca undergoes renovations in preparation for the 2026 World Cup, club president Santiago Baños has floated the idea of relocating Liga MX home games to the United States.
With the Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes set to host Club América’s home matches for the 2024-25 season alongside crosstown rivals Cruz Azul, Baños has indicated the possibility of exploring alternative venues both within Mexico and across the border.
“We’re open to considering the option of playing home games in the United States,” Baños disclosed to reporters on Thursday.
Baños referenced an ongoing antitrust lawsuit filed against U.S. Soccer and FIFA, challenging FIFA’s policy prohibiting a country from hosting league matches involving teams from other nations. The lawsuit, initiated by New York-based Relevent Sports, gained traction when the Supreme Court allowed it to proceed in April.
“FIFA’s recent withdrawal from the case and its announcement of a panel to review rules governing ‘out-of-territory’ matches seem to have opened the door for other teams to play in the United States,” Baños elaborated.
“With the resolution of the case involving Relevent Sports, the opportunity appears ripe for América to play home games in the United States, showcasing our brand to our extensive fan base across various states.”
In April, LaLiga president Javier Tebas expressed optimism about the prospect of hosting league games in the U.S., envisioning official matches abroad as early as the 2025-26 season.
“I believe that LaLiga will indeed host official matches abroad. This initiative could materialize from the 2025-26 season onwards,” Tebas disclosed to Expansión.
“Hosting official matches in the United States would bolster LaLiga’s presence in the North American market, the second-largest market for LaLiga after Spain. As other competitive leagues emerge, we must adapt and innovate to maintain our standing in the global football landscape.”
Following their clash with Cruz Azul at the Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes in the first leg of the Liga MX final, Club América is poised to conclude the championship series at their historic home ground, the Estadio Azteca, on Sunday.
