Estadio Olímpico Universitario was built in 1952 and at that time it was the largest stadium in Mexico. The venue has a capacity of 63,186 and resembles a volcano, as it is made of volcanic stone. In 1968 the Olímpico Universitario hosted the Olympic Games. In 1986 the stadium also hosted several games of the Football World Cup.
Estadio Olímpico Universitario is the home stadium of American football team “Pumas Dorados de la UNAM” and the football team “Pumas de la Universidad”. This sport facility is a part of the Ciudad Universitaria (“University City”) and the main campus of the UNAM (National Autonomous University of Mexico).
During the 1950s and 1960s the stadium was used mostly for college American football matches between the two largest Mexican public universities: UNAM and IPN. Since the late 1950s it has also been used for football matches, and some athletics contests.
During the final match of the Mexican football league between Club America and UNAM Pumas in 1985 the authorities of the UNAM Pumas allowed more spectators into the Estadio Olímpico Universitario than the stadium’s capacity allowed. When the fans attempted to get to the pitch in one of the access tunnels (the tunnel number 29), a number of people got stuck and died of suffocation.
During the Olympic Games of 1968 the stadium was the location of the track and field competitions, equestrian events, certain association football matches, the arrival of the marathon and the opening and ending ceremonies.
On the east side of the stadium there is a mural by Diego Rivera. It shows the university shield, with a condor and an eagle on a cactus. Under their wings, Rivera placed three figures representing family. At the extremes are two gigantic figures that correspond to some athletes, male and female, who light the torch of the Olympic flame.