In a landmark deal for North American football, a consortium of United States investors has purchased significant stakes in Mexican giants Club América and their historic Azteca Stadium. The transaction, valued at approximately $500 million, was announced just months before Mexico co-hosts the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Structure of the Major Investment
The investment was formalised through a new entity named Grupo Águilas. According to a joint statement filed with the Mexican Stock Exchange (Bolsa Mexicana de Valores, or BMV), this new group will be 51 per cent owned by the Ollamani Group and 49 per cent owned by a US private equity syndicate.
This syndicate involves a firm controlled by the owners of the NFL's New England Patriots and the global investment firm General Atlantic. Emilio Azcárraga Jean, the former media tycoon and controlling shareholder of Ollamani Group, will become the executive president of Grupo Águilas.
The entity will take ownership of Águilas del América—the football club currently sitting third in Liga MX—as well as the 88,000-seat Estadio Azteca (also known as Banorte Stadium) and adjacent land. The stated objective is to "accelerate the next stage of growth and innovation of the group".
Timing Ahead of the 2026 World Cup
This $490 million injection into Mexican football arrives at a pivotal moment. The country is preparing to co-host the 2026 World Cup alongside the United States and Canada, with the tournament kicking off on 11 June 2026.
Mexico City's Azteca Stadium is slated to host the opening match, featuring the co-hosts against South Africa. It will also stage several other group games, including fixtures for teams like Colombia and Uzbekistan, before hosting a series of knockout stage matches. The final will be held on 19 July 2026.
Broader Trends and Club Profile
This move continues a notable trend of US capital flowing into global football, though European clubs have traditionally been the primary target for American investors. Club América itself is a commercial powerhouse in the region.
The club recently signed a new kit deal with Adidas ahead of the 2025 season. Its portfolio of commercial partners is impressive, featuring major brands such as Red Bull, Coca-Cola, and Corona beer.
The creation of Grupo Águilas represents one of the most significant foreign investments in Mexican sport to date, setting the stage for a new era of development for both the iconic club and stadium as the global football spotlight turns towards North America in 2026.
