Cruz Azul will not play at the Ciudad de los Deportes Stadium on Matchday 2 of Apertura 2026 because the remodeling work on the field was not approved by Liga MX. For this reason, the match against Puebla will move to the La Corregidora Stadium in Querétaro next Tuesday, July 21, in what will be the first double date of the tournament.

Why can't Cruz Azul play at the Ciudad de los Deportes Stadium?

Liga MX carried out a thorough inspection of the Colonia Nochebuena property and determined that the playing field does not meet the regulatory conditions to guarantee the safety of the footballers and the refereeing team.

Given this ruling, the organization granted a one-week extension to the cement board to continue with the works. A new review will be carried out on the eve of Matchday 3 to evaluate whether the stadium is already suitable for First Division football. The origin of the problem: The breakup at the Azteca Stadium

The venue crisis for La Maquina began after the cancellation of the contract with the Ollamani company to use the Azteca Stadium. The company radically modified several key points of the commercial agreement, forcing the celestial board to terminate the deal to protect the club's interests.

After ruling out a return to Puebla as an alternate venue to avoid the physical wear and tear of the footballers due to constant travel, Cruz Azul agreed to return to the Ciudad de los Deportes Stadium - its historic home between 1996 and 2018 -, without anticipating the delay in the remodeling works. Matchday 3 is in danger: Where will Cruz Azul play against Atlante?

The board's plan is to receive Atlante on Saturday, August 1 in Mexico City. However, everything will depend on the second inspection of Liga MX.

If the grass of the capital building is still not in perfect condition under the competition protocols, Cruz Azul will be forced to play again in Querétaro for its match on the third date.