The last time Mexico hosted an NFL game was nearly three years ago, when the Arizona Cardinals lost to the San Francisco 49ers in Mexico City. (Galo Cañas / Cuartoscuro)
Mexico City will host its sixth regular-season National Football League game next year, a widely anticipated announcement that was confirmed by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Friday.
“We’ll be back in Mexico City next year, which we’re thrilled about,” Goodell said during his appearance at the Leaders in Sport conference in London.
Speaking in London ahead of a game between the Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced that the NFL’s expanding international schedule will again include Mexico City in 2026. (@agendasetting1/on X)
Details about the game — date, teams and broadcast information — will be announced early next year.
The NFL has held five previous regular-season American football matchups in Mexico City across the past two decades, including the historic Oct. 2, 2005, game — the first NFL regular-season contest played outside the United States.
Since that landmark game at Estadio Azteca, 55 NFL games have taken place outside the United States, including seven this season — six in Europe and one in Brazil.
The last game Estadio Azteca hosted came on Nov. 21, 2022, when the San Francisco 49ers routed the Arizona Cardinals 38-10 on Monday Night Football.
The stadium was removed from international series rotation after that contest to undertake renovations ahead of next year’s World Cup which will be co-hosted by Mexico, Canada and the United States
Mexico City officials say the refurbished stadium — including revamped player facilities, new hospitality areas and a name change to Estadio Banorte — will be ready early next year, following the multi-year overhaul required to meet FIFA standards.
Sometimes still affectionately known as “El Coloso de Santa Úrsula,” Estadio Banorte is poised to become the first stadium to host three World Cups (Mexico staged the 1970 and 1986 tournaments).
Goodell made his comments ahead of this weekend’s NFL game between the Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns in London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
In 2005, the first-ever non-exhibition NFL game played outside the United States was a major binational cultural event and a turning point for the NFL and Mexican fans of Americnan football. (@trejogaray/on X)
London is hosting three NFL games this season, while Berlin and Madrid are set to host their first-ever NFL contests in November. Dublin hosted its debut NFL game last week as the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Minnesota Vikings 24-21.
The NFL’s international series has been expanding rapidly over the past few years as the league seeks to increase its global footprint.
“In today’s world, we have to be global,” Goodell said last week in Dublin. “Every time we play an international game, fans say they want more. I really, truly believe our game can and will be global.”
Returning to Mexico City was an easy decision as Mexico boasts the most NFL fans outside of the U.S., with more than 23 million fans. Brazil is second with about 20 million.
Here are the results of regular-season NFL games at Estadio Azteca:
Oct. 2, 2005 — Arizona Cardinals, 31, San Francisco 49ers 14
There's always something going on in Guadalajara, and that's especially true this October. (Unsplash/Roman Lopez)
For many, October is Halloween month. But for tapatíos (residents of Guadalajara), it is the Palenque season at the traditional Fiestas de Octubre.
Beyond this yearly event, October also brings to Guadalajara, Mexico’s most successful musical show (Mentiras), a dedicated fair to prepare yourself for Day of the Dead, live performances, children’s festivals and more. Let’s dive right in!
Visit Fiestas Patronales in Chapala
Chapala’s patron saint, St. Francis, is honored with a nine-day novena as part of annual celebrations. (Facebook)
As in most of Mexico, each town has its own saint and patron saint. In Chapala, residents celebrate the town’s patron, Saint Francis, with a nine-day novena between September and October. Each day is sponsored by a different group of residents, such as gardeners, merchants, bricklayers, truck drivers and more. Expect daily parades, music and food stalls in public areas every day as part of this folkloric celebration.
Dates: Sep. 26 – Oct. 4
Location: Parroquia de San Francisco and surrounding public streets
Cost: Free
Take the family to Festival Papirolas
Kids can take a fun and exciting journey to the past during the 30th annual Papirolas Festival. (Papirolas)
Children and teenagers will enjoy Papirolas, a creative, multicultural and educational festival that’s become one of the city’s most beloved events. Back for its 30th edition, this year’s theme is “Journey to the Past,” so attendees can expect a display of four thematic pavilions with engaging activities, exploring the Scientific and Cultural Revolution, Great Civilizations, Giants and Life in Prehistory and Living Roots.
Dates: Oct. 1 – 5
Location: Conjunto Santander de Artes Escénicas y el Pabellón Cultural Universitario de Guadalajara
Cost: 100 pesos
See standup comedy with Daniel Sosa
Daniel Sosa will be performing his latest comedy show, “Dilema,” in Guadalajara on Oct. 2. (Teatro Diana)
Mexican comedian Daniel Sosa will bring his new stand-up comedy show “Dilema” to Guadalajara, as part of an extensive national tour across 15 cities. The show explores the dilemmas of everyday life as a young adult, with Sosa’s characteristic dry humor and witty observations about Mexican culture. An ideal show for anyone looking to improve their Spanish skills and Mexican humor.
Date: Oct. 2
Location: Teatro Diana. Av. 16 de Septiembre 710. Col. Centro.
El Mariachi Real Axixic brings mariachi magic to the shores of Lake Chapala. (Facebook)
The quaint town of Ajijic, on the shores of Lake Chapala, is set to host an authentic Mexican regional music concert. Featuring El Mariachi Real Axixic, expect an innovative performance that blends traditional mariachi music with the sound of an electric guitar and a sax.
Date: Oct. 3
Location: Centro para la Cultura y las Artes de la Ribera. Carretera a Chapala-Jocotepec 168, Col. La Floresta, Ajijic
Cost: Pre-sale at 300 pesos; general admission 400 pesos
Experience Fiestas de Octubre
Some of Mexico’s biggest musical artists will be performing during the 60th edition of Fiestas de Octubre. (Fiestas de Octubre)
The iconic Fiestas de Octubre is back for its 60th edition. As usual, it will feature nightly concerts in palenque style (a circular and intimate round arena similar to a rodeo). This year’s lineup includes both national and international artists such as Zoé, Caifanes, Morat, Los Ángeles Azules, Carlos Vives, Natalia Jiménez and many more. During the day, attendees can enjoy a fair, rides, food stalls, exhibitions, and family-friendly shows and activities.
The annual Feria del Cartón is a highlight in Guadalajara’s Morelos Park. (Gobierno de Guadalajara)
The Guadalajara Cardboard Fair is one of the city’s most iconic traditions, held annually in Morelos Park in preparation for the Day of the Dead season. At the fair, you’ll find various crafts and typical products for altars, including sugar and chocolate skulls, pan de muerto, marigold flowers (natural and artificial), confetti, clay figures, cardboard Catrinas and more.
Dates: Oct. 7 – Nov. 4
Location: Morelos Park. Calles Independencia and Juan Manuel, Col. Centro.
Cost: Free
Try out an immersive experience
Down Under visits Guadalajara courtesy of an Immersive art installation about life in Australia. (Guadalajara Secreta)
Interactive art installation “The Creature Immersive Experience” will arrive in Guadalajara this month, all the way from Australia. The experience seeks to immerse visitors in Australian habitats through real-time projections and systems that respond to audience movement, inviting them to understand humanity’s relationship with nature.
Dates: Oct. 7 – 10
Location: Sala 4 del Conjunto Santander de Artes Escénicas. Anillo Perif. Nte. Manuel Gómez Morín 1695, Rinconada de La Azalea, Belenes Nte., Zapopan.
Cost: 250 pesos
Watch a tango show
Luis Bravo’s “Forever Tango” has been thrilling audiences for 35 years, and will again in Zapopan on Oct. 9. (SuperBoletos)
If you like Latin-American rhythms, you’ll probably enjoy “Forever Tango,” a show created and directed by Argentinean Luis Bravo. The show, which has conquered international audiences for 35 years, offers an intense Buenos Aires dance experience with 11 live musicians and 14 international dancers.
Date: Oct. 9
Location: Teatro Galerías. Avenida Lápizlazuli 2986, Zapopan
Cost: Starting at 500 pesos
Get tickets for ‘Mentiras,’ Mexico’s most successful musical
Smash hit musical “Mentiras,” the most successful in Mexico’s theatrical history, is coming to Zapopan. (Instagram)
Theater lovers will enjoy the legendary Mexican production “Mentiras the Musical,” which has been running for 16 years. The play is Mexico’s most successful musical theater show. The story follows four women from the 1980s who discover they all love the same man, weaving together humor, melodrama, and a collection of the era’s greatest hits.
Dates: Oct. 23 – 26
Location: Teatro Galerías. Avenida Lápizlazuli 2986, Zapopan
Iconic Chayanne is among the many exceptional performers visiting the greater Guadalajara area this month. (Auditorio Telmex)
Chayanne’s international tour “Bailemos Otra Vez” is coming to Zapopan, bringing iconic hits like “Torero,” “Baila Baila” and “Un Siglo Sin Ti.” With a career spanning over four decades, Chayanne has cemented his position as one of Latin America’s most beloved icons thanks to his charisma, exceptional dancing skills and his ability to connect with audiences of all ages.
Gabriela Solis is a Mexican lawyer turned full-time writer. She was born and raised in Guadalajara and covers business, culture, lifestyle and travel for Mexico News Daily. You can follow her lifestyle blog Dunas y Palmeras.
Fishing charters, like those leaving here from the Cabo San Lucas Marina, are a signature destination attraction. (Unsplash/Josh Withers)
Tourism in Los Cabos was largely built on the area’s exceptional fishing. Although many other attractions have been added during the 70 years since the first resorts appeared in the 1950s — from upscale wining and dining to wellness spas and golf — fishing remains the most iconic local activity.
Hooking a marlin, for example, can certainly contribute to a memorable vacation, but bear in mind that the seasonal availability of various species is one of only a dozen or more factors that should be considered before booking a charter, almost all of which not only impact cost, but also the quality of your experience.
Fishing boats of all shapes and sizes are in no short supply in Los Cabos. (Blue Sky Cabo)
For the benefit of first-time visitors, or those who’ve yet to throw their line in the local waters, here’s a guide to booking a local fishing charter.
What factors matter most when booking a Los Cabos fishing trip?
The two primary factors determining the cost of fishing trips in Los Cabos are the size of the boat and the length of the charter. The latter is typically broken down into two categories, half-day and full-day, with half-day charters ranging from four to five hours and full-day ones lasting eight hours.
As for the boats, these come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The simplest and cheapest to charter are what are termed pangas; essentially, open, outboard-motor-powered skiffs that are between 22 feet and 27 feet in length. The larger varieties are called super pangas and may provide at least some sun cover. Local companies with larger fleets typically feature more traditional fishing boats ranging from 25 to 38 feet, with some of the larger models featuring flybridges.
The Los Cabos Tourism Board has helpfully provided us with a basic price scale for 2025 based on these factors:
Half-day aboard a panga: $215-$350
Half-day on standard 25- to 28-foot fishing boat: $450-$850
Full-day on a 28- to 32-foot boat: $800-$1,350
Full-day on a luxury fishing boat (38-feet or more with flybridge): $1,500-$2,500+
However, it’s important to note that these boats have different capacities based on their size. For instance, the panga can carry two to three people, boats in the 25-foot to 32-foot range from four to six, and larger boats up to eight. Obviously, this impacts the price, and larger boats with greater capacity and conveniences may not cost much more on a per-person basis than smaller boats.
What’s included and what’s not?
Marlin, like this striped variety, is the most sought-after fish in Los Cabos. (Picante Sportfishing)
Also worth noting is that not everything is necessarily included in the quoted prices. Most boats will include a bilingual captain and crew, rod and reels, and fuel in the basic “bare boat” cost of a charter. However, items like food and drinks, live bait, and fishing licenses may or may not be included depending on the package, although they’re generally available upon request for an additional cost. To avoid misunderstandings, confirm with your charter company of choice what’s included and what’s not.
Fishing licenses, of course, are mandatory by law for anyone going out on a fishing boat in Los Cabos, and cost about $20 per person per day. Something that’s never included, but always appreciated by the crew, are tips. The standard rate is between 10% and 20% of the total charter value, paid out in cash at the end of the charter.
Where do boats leave from?
Most fishing charters leave from the Cabo San Lucas Marina in the Land’s End city, or from Puerto Los Cabos in San José del Cabo. So whichever of these cities you’re vacationing in, there are respected options to choose from. The East Cape is a somewhat different story, not because the fishing isn’t world-class, but because boats are likely to be associated with individual resorts and leave directly from their docks. For example, special fishing and accommodation packages are available at hotels like Palmas de Cortez, a Van Wormer property in Los Barriles, and prices for various boats are also posted in the lobby.
How seasonal factors affect what you’re fishing for
Fishing is good year-round in Los Cabos, but the species you’re most likely to catch can vary. Black and blue marlin, the most sought-after local catches, are most likely to be caught between July and October. That’s why most tournaments, including those with millions of dollars on the line like Bisbee’s Black and Blue, are scheduled during these months. It’s also why it’s a good idea to book your charters in advance during this period.
Striped marlin are generally common during the months that blue and black aren’t (November to May), so it’s possible to catch a marlin even if you don’t visit during late summer or early fall, although it bears noting that only one billfish like marlin, sailfish or swordish per day, per angler may legally be kept, and catch and release for these species is highly encouraged. Great food fish like tuna, snapper, grouper, and dorado (as mahi-mahi is known in Spanish) are also quite common, with the fishing best for the first two between July and December, and the latter two between March and June.
What to do with the fish you catch?
Many restaurants in Los Cabos offer hook and cook specials, meaning they’ll cook up the fish you’ve caught to order and serve it with a few side dishes. Companies like Gricelda’s Smoke House in Cabo San Lucas will process fish — meaning fillet, freeze, and vacuum-seal — and may even deliver it to your hotel for you. Hotels, meanwhile, will generally provide freezer space for fish you want to enjoy later in your trip, or take back to the U.S. Check with your concierge to confirm. As for bringing fish back to the U.S., this is fine, assuming you have the fish packed in a vacuum-sealed container and declare it to customs. Ask your airline about specific regulations.
What fishing company should you choose?
This helpful Los Cabos fishing calendar shows the best times of year to catch popular local species. (Picante Sportfishing)
Chris Sands is the Cabo San Lucas local expert for the USA Today travel website 10 Best, writer of Fodor’s Los Cabos travel guidebook and a contributor to numerous websites and publications, including Tasting Table, Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, Forbes Travel Guide, Porthole Cruise, Cabo Living and Mexico News Daily.
For every fruit in Mexico, there is a season. (Gobierno de Mexico)
I feel my chest tighten ever so slightly as I inch closer to the produce stall in my neighborhood market. It has become abundantly clear these last few weeks that my favorite fruit — the one I eat daily to break my overnight fast — is drifting out of season. Coveted piles of yellow, juicy mangos are now being replaced by other, less exciting, less tropical fruits, and a certain wave of sadness washes over me. I rummage through what’s left of the golden globes, filling my tray with as many as I can reasonably lug back to my apartment, and pick my jaw up off the floor when I hear the price. Because, along with a dwindling supply, the cost has doubled.
My addiction to mangos followed me from my previous home in Miami to my current one in Mexico. I eat them every day and love everything about the mango experience – choosing the best ones, washing them, cutting them, eating half of what I cut while I’m cutting, and then sitting down to a big bowl for my late breakfast. How can one not love the color, the smell and the variety of flavors one little fruit can produce? So when mango season inevitably crawls to a stop, I get that feeling I used to get at the end of summer as a kid: a blend of loss, acceptance, and hope for a brighter future.
The time of Mexican mangos has come and gone for now, but they’ll return soon. (Gobierno de Mexico)
I also get a feeling akin to a mild panic. What am I going to eat from now until March? In my quest to find a temporary replacement, I’ve compiled a list of fruits available over the winter. I’m happy to report that there are more than a handful of viable alternatives — get your shopping bags ready and hit the market with this handy guide to Mexican fruits in winter!
Colorful cactus-derived pitayas are among Mexico’s most colorful and delicious fruits. (Huerto en casa)
An exotic fruit from a cactus species, also called a strawberry pear. The flesh can be white or red with black seeds, and the exterior varies from bright pink to yellow.
Season: Peak harvest is late summer and early autumn
Origin: Wild pitaya is native to Jalisco, Michoacán, Oaxaca, Guerrero and Puebla
Benefits: High in fiber, magnesium, vitamins C, E, riboflavin and antioxidants; supports immune function and antioxidant defenses
Historical Significance: Dragon fruit has been cultivated by Indigenous peoples of Mexico for centuries. The Mexica and other pre-Hispanic civilizations valued pitaya both as food and medicine, often using it in religious ceremonies and as a natural remedy for various ailments like dehydration, heart disease and gastritis.
How to Know When Ripe: The skin should yield slightly to gentle pressure and have vibrant, even coloring. The scales (bracts) on the exterior should be bright and not wilted. Avoid fruits with dark spots, cracks or overly soft areas. A ripe pitaya will have a mild, sweet fragrance at the stem end.
Poblano Pears (pera Poblana)
As their name suggests, poblano pears traditionally hail from the state of Puebla. (Gobierno de Mexico)
Sweet, juicy and highly aromatic pears with subtle floral notes and a pleasant, tender texture that works well both fresh and cooked.
Season: Late August through November
Origin: Puebla
Benefits: Source of dietary fiber, vitamins C and K, potassium and antioxidants; promotes healthy digestion and supports heart and eye health
Historical Significance: Poblano pears are deeply rooted in the agricultural traditions of Puebla. They became particularly important in colonial Mexico as Spanish settlers adapted European pear-growing techniques to local conditions, creating this distinct regional variety.
How to Know When Ripe: The pear should yield slightly to pressure near the stem end. The skin will have a golden-yellow color with a possible red blush. Ripe poblano pears emit a sweet, floral fragrance.
Guava (Guayaba)
Guavas are native to Mesoamerica and the Caribbean. (Sakurai Midori / CC-BY-SA-2.0 )
A tropical berry with yellow or green skin and pink or white pulp, known for its distinctive sweet-tart flavor and strong aroma.
Season: Harvested and sold primarily in autumn and winter
Origin: Cultivated in Michoacán, Aguascalientes, Zacatecas and Puebla
Benefits: Very high in vitamin C (more than citrus fruits), fiber and antioxidants; supports immunity and digestion
Historical Significance: Guava has been consumed in Mexico since pre-Hispanic times. Indigenous peoples used the fruit fresh to make beverages and preserves. Spanish colonizers quickly adopted guava, and it became integral to Mexican cuisine, particularly in traditional sweets like até de guayaba.
How to Know When Ripe: Ripe guavas yield to gentle pressure and have a strong, sweet fragrance. The skin should be yellow or light green without dark spots. The fruit should feel heavy for its size and give slightly when pressed, similar to a ripe avocado.
Benefits: Rich in vitamins A, C, E, potassium and fiber; supports eye health and immune function
Historical Significance: Mamey was sacred to the Maya civilization, which believed it had divine properties. Archaeological evidence shows mamey seeds in Maya burial sites, indicating their spiritual significance. The fruit played important roles in mythology and was often depicted in their art and codices.
How to Know When Ripe: A ripe mamey yields to gentle pressure, similar to a ripe avocado. The skin may have small scratches or scuff marks when ripe. When you scratch the surface lightly, it should reveal the salmon-pink flesh underneath. The fruit should feel heavy and have a slightly sweet aroma.
One look at black sapote fruit and you know why it’s sometimes referred to as “chocolate pudding fruit.” (Wikimedia Commons/Critical Miami)
A fruit with black, custard-like flesh when ripe, often called “chocolate pudding fruit” due to its dark color and sweet, chocolate-like flavor.
Season: September to December
Origin: Most common in Veracruz and Guerrero
Benefits: High in vitamin C, fiber and potassium; low in fat and calories
Historical Significance: Black sapote was cultivated by Indigenous peoples of Southern Mexico and Central America for thousands of years. The Mexica called it “tliltzapotl” and valued it both as food and for its medicinal properties, particularly for digestive health.
How to Know When Ripe: The fruit should be very soft to the touch, almost squishy. The skin will be dark green to black and may appear wrinkled. When fully ripe, it should yield easily to pressure all around. Unripe black sapote is astringent and inedible.
Passion Fruit (Maracuyá)
Passion fruit was introduced to Mexico during the colonial era, with missionaries seizing on its religious significance. (Facebook)
A round or oval fruit with tough, wrinkled skin containing aromatic seeds surrounded by tart, flavorful pulp. Common varieties include the purple passion fruit and the larger, yellow variety.
Season: August through the end of October
Origin: Cultivated in tropical regions like Chiapas and the Yucatán Peninsula states
Benefits: High in vitamins A and C, fiber and beneficial plant compounds; supports immune health
Historical Significance: Passion fruit was introduced to Mexico from South America during colonial times. Spanish missionaries named it “passion fruit” because they saw religious symbolism in the flower’s structure. It quickly became integrated into Mexican tropical cuisine and traditional medicine.
How to Know When Ripe: The skin should be deeply wrinkled and give slightly to pressure. Purple varieties should be dark purple, while yellow varieties should be golden. A ripe passion fruit will feel heavy for its size and may sound liquid when shaken gently.
Cherimoya (Anona)
Cherimoya not only tastes great, but is also really, really good for your body. (Directo al Paladar)
A heart-shaped fruit from the custard-apple family with creamy, white pulp and tropical notes, often compared to a blend of banana, pineapple and vanilla.
Season: Winter through spring
Origin: Native to and grown in Morelos, Puebla and Oaxaca
Benefits: High in vitamin C, B6, fiber and antioxidants; supports immune function and digestive health
Historical Significance: Cherimoya was cultivated by pre-Hispanic civilizations in the highlands of Mexico and was considered a delicacy among Indigenous peoples. Spanish colonizers called it “the masterpiece of nature” due to its exceptional flavor and creamy texture.
How to Know When Ripe: The fruit should yield to gentle pressure, similar to a ripe avocado. The skin may show brown patches or spots when ripe. It should have a sweet, fragrant aroma. Avoid fruits with dark, sunken spots.
Sapodilla (Chicozapote)
Sapodilla has been a staple fruit in Mexico since the early Maya civilization. (Facebook)
A round to oval fruit with rough, brown skin and sweet, brown flesh with a texture similar to a pear and flavors reminiscent of brown sugar and cinnamon.
Season: Winter through spring
Origin: Yucatán, Campeche, Quintana Roo and Tabasco
Benefits: Rich in vitamins A, C, dietary fiber and natural sugars; supports digestive health and provides sustained energy
Historical Significance: Sapodilla was a staple food of the ancient Maya civilization, who also harvested the tree’s latex to make chewing gum (chicle). The Maya considered the sapodilla tree sacred and used various parts of the tree for food, medicine, and construction materials.
How to Know When Ripe: The fruit should yield to gentle pressure and have a sweet, honey-like fragrance. The skin should be brown and may feel slightly rough. When ripe, it should feel similar to a ripe pear. Unripe sapodilla has a chalky texture and astringent taste.
Bethany Platanella is a travel planner and lifestyle writer based in Mexico City. She lives for the dopamine hit that comes directly after booking a plane ticket, exploring local markets, practicing yoga and munching on fresh tortillas. Sign up to receive her Sunday Love Letters to your inbox, peruse her blog or follow her on Instagram.
Construction is currently underway in Mexico City International Airport (AICM) ahead of the World Cup. (Andrea Murcia/Cuartoscuro)
As millions of soccer fans plan trips to Mexico for next year’s FIFA World Cup, the country’s airports are preparing to make a good first impression. Host city airports are investing billions of pesos to modernize and upgrade their facilities, which will welcome up to 5 million World Cup travelers in 2026, according to FIFA estimates.
In addition to the opening match on June 11, Mexico will host 13 matches in the cities of Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey.
Along with Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara will also host World Cup matches and are expecting a major bump in passenger traffic next year. (Shutterstock)
The airports in these cities are expected to receive the largest number of visitors in Mexico during the five-week tournament. These airports include Mexico City International Airport (AICM) Guadalajara International Aiport (GDL) in Jalisco and Monterrey International Airport (MTY) in Nuevo León.
Here’s what each airport has done in terms of renovation ahead of the tournament, and the groups behind their management.
Mexico City International Airport
While Mexico City is also home to the Felipe Angeles International Airport (AIFA) and the nearby Toluca International Airport (AIT), Diego González, Vice President and Analyst at Moody’s Ratings, told news outlet Aviación 21 that these airports will not take away the AICM’s strategic role or help reduce its demand.
“This airport [AICM] will continue to be critical for serving the metropolitan area,” González said.
Since July this year, the AICM has been under the management of the state-owned Grupo Aeroportuario Marina, which manages several other airports in Mexico.
The director of AICM, Admiral Juan José Padilla Olmos, said that to keep up with the expected surge in travelers, the air terminal is investing more than 8 billion pesos (US $435 million) in modernization processes, including the expansion and rehabilitation of terminals, parking lots and air traffic regulation.
Guadalajara International Airport
According to Cryshtian Amador Lizardi, the chief administrator of GDL, the airport added a Hilton Hotel and a new runway ahead of the World Cup (the Hilton, located inside the airport, opened in March 2024). It expects the increase in passenger traffic to continue after the sporting event concludes and is preparing to continue with upgrades, with a planned investment of 22 billion pesos (US $1.1 billion) over the next five years.
Lizardi added that GDL, operated by Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP), also plans to build a new terminal and purchase land to develop a new runway in the near future.
Monterrey International Airport
Grupo Aeroportuario Centro Norte (OMA) operates MTY in the northern state of Nuevo León. Ahead of the World Cup, it has spent on facilities and infrastructure renovations and improved connectivity.
Forbes reported that during the 2021-2025 period, OMA has invested 15 billion pesos (US $815 million) in operational infrastructure, certifications, security and equipment, runways and platforms, operational and technological standardization, and complementary projects. The works also included the expansion and total renovation of Terminal A.
A reporter asked Sheinbaum about the criticism the Morena party’s top senator, Adán Augusto López Hernández, faced after he was caught watching a soccer match on his tablet in the Senate during an appearance on Wednesday by Finance Minister Édgar Amador.
The president responded that the issue didn’t concern her.
Asked whether López Hernández’s conduct affected the image of Morena, Sheinbaum responded:
“I’m not going to get involved in that.”
Morena is Mexico’s ruling party, founded by former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Sheinbaum represented the party in the 2024 presidential election.
López Hernández could conceivably see the criticism over his football watching in the Senate as a welcome distraction from the accusations he faces related to the alleged criminal activity of the man who served as his security minister when he was governor of Tabasco.
Hernán Bermúdez Requena, security minister in Tabasco between 2019 and 2024, is accused of heading a Jalisco New Generation Cartel-affiliated crime group called La Barredora. He was arrested in Paraguay last month and is now in a federal prison in México state.
Watching sports during work hours is one of the less serious charges Morena senator Adán Augusto López Hernández has faced recently. (Graciela López / Cuartoscuro)
Opposition politicians and others have claimed it is not possible that López Hernández was unaware of the alleged criminal activity of his security minister in Tabasco.
* In case you were wondering, López Hernández was watching the UEFA Champions League match between Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, which the latter team won 2-1.
The barriers were erected ahead of the annual march that takes place on Oct. 2 to commemorate the Tlatelolco massacre.
Sheinbaum said that the barriers have been put up to protect the National Palace during protests for “years.”
“… There are these groups who cover their faces and carry out actions with dangerous devices,” she said, adding that on many occasions they have attempted to set alight the National Palace’s main door.
The metal barricades were already in place in the capital’s Zócalo on Monday when the organization Comité 68 held a press conference ahead of Thursday’s commemorative activities. (Mario Jasso / Cuartoscuro)
“If you put police in front of a situation of this kind where there is aggression, there will be a confrontation,” Sheinbaum said.
“And, in addition, you put the police at risk because the Mexico City police, at least, are trained not to repress but simply to contain,” said the former Mexico City mayor.
“So it’s better to put up a physical barrier to avoid this situation, rather than having a confrontation with police officers,” Sheinbaum said.
No plan to break diplomatic relations with Israel
After she denounced Israel’s interception of a flotilla transporting aid to Gaza and called for the immediate repatriation of six Mexicans who were detained by Israeli forces, Sheinbaum was asked whether her government would break off diplomatic relations with Israel.
“Until now it has not been considered,” the president said.
Sheinbaum subsequently highlighted that Mexico was among “the first countries” to file a complaint in The Hague related to the conflict in Gaza.
In January 2024, Mexico and Chile “referred the situation in the State of Palestine to the International Criminal Court for investigation into the probable commission of crimes within its jurisdiction,” according to Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Passenger numbers have been increasing at the Querétaro International Airport, rising 25% in the first quarter of this year alone.
(Querétaro International Airport)
The ongoing expansion of the Querétaro International Airport (QRO) will include an on-site hotel, a shopping plaza and a larger parking area, state Sustainable Development Minister Marco Del Prete Tercero announced on Monday.
Those amenities are in addition to improvements to the airport itself. “We have six hectares available for the passenger terminal, and we have two polygons, each four hectares, to expand services,” Del Prete said.
One of the airport features slated for improvement with the current expansion is parking. (Querétaro International Airport)
Also, he said, a launch and landing site for spacecraft will be developed on the terrain to help make the airport more competitive.
An additional 100 hectares of land is available for companies looking to operate at the airport. For example, in March, DHL Express Mexico launched its US $120 million expanded air hub at QRO, adding 30,000 square meters of new infrastructure, which the company said was its most advanced and highest-capacity facility to date in Latin America.
“The airport continues to grow thanks to passenger preference, thanks to its location,” Del Prete said of the ongoing expansion. “The airside is satisfied; they have a high capacity, and the landside continues to be occupied.”
Del Prete added that while the runways are around 20 years old, they are still among the most modern thanks to their innovative design. The runway has an operational length of 4.1 km, said the minister.
In May, the Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation Ministry reported that QRO saw a 25% rise in passenger numbers in the first quarter of 2025 compared to last year, with domestic passenger traffic increasing by 34.9% in that period.
An 80-million-peso (US$4.3 million) expansion was completed at QRO in 2023, which increased the airport’s passenger capacity and encouraged airlines to open new flight routes.
The singing contest featuring performers age 18-34 from Mexico and the United States has been wildly popular, regularly drawing 4 million viewers in Mexico alone. (Mexico Canta)
The stage is set for the highly anticipated grand finale of “México Canta,” a singing competition akin to “American Idol” with one overriding rule: Songs that glorify the lives of cartels, violence or drug trafficking are not allowed.
The finals of “México Canta por la paz y contra las adicciones” (“Mexico Sings for Peace and Against Addiction”) will be held Sunday night at the Esperanza Iris City Theater in Mexico City and televised live.
The esteemed Oaxaca-born performer Lila Downs was not a México Canta participant, of course, but she did give a presentation at one of the earlier shows along with the regional women’s band Mujeres del Viento Florido (Women of the Flowery Wind). (Sayuri Calderón / Secretaría de Cultura)
“México Canta” drew more than 15,000 applicants, ranging in age from 18 to 34, with eligibility extending to those singing in Spanish, Indigenous languages or Spanglish.
More than 350 selected participants were whittled down to 48 who competed in regional semifinals held between Aug. 17 and Sept. 21 in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Tijuana, Oaxaca and Mexico City.
Inspired by soaring ratings and fierce public interest, the event rapidly evolved into must-see television, regularly drawing viewership of over 4 million in Mexico, and further extending its reach to Mexican-American audiences through U.S. cable and streaming platforms.
Contestants come from both sides of the Mexico-U.S. border, but there’s no singing in pure English. All songs are in Spanish, Spanglish or an Indigenous language. Pictured: Sergio Maya of Hidalgo. (México Canta/Facebook)
Francisco Arturo Barrios, a former member of the popular band Botellita de Jerez who goes by the name Mastuerzo, praised the government’s goal of avoiding the glorification of crime in music.
“I think it’s commendable that they try to stimulate the creation of other themes,” he said.
The show culminated in a special episode last weekend that highlighted the best moments from the semifinals. Esteemed Mexican performers Lila Downs and the regional women’s band Mujeres del Viento Florido (Women of the Flowery Wind) underscored the show’s emphasis on community and empowerment.
The list of 10 finalists — a mosaic of emerging talent from both sides of the border — includes the winners of each U.S. semifinal: Illinois resident Blue Malboro, originally from Guanajuato; Carolina Imperial from the Houston regional; and the duet Asália and Norma from the L.A. regional.
In addition, there was one “jury pick” by the Mexican Music Council and three “rescued” contestants who were so good they also deserved a spot in the finals. These four spots include Lolita from the Chicago regional and individual performers Mike León and Brian Sebastián Muñoz from the L.A. regional (who will perform in the finals as a duet).
"Yo soy mexicana" - Carolina Imperial | México Canta por la Paz y contra las Adicciones
The Mexican finalists are Galia Siurob from Tijuana, Carmen María González from Mexico City, Sergio Maya from Hidalgo and Roger Quiñones Esparza (a rescued finalist) from Yucatán.
The contest, said judge América Sierra, aims to provide life-changing opportunities.
“Being part of this jury and being part of the story of so many young people pursuing their dreams … fills me with great satisfaction,” Sierra said. “For many of them, their musical careers begin here.”
The winner will reportedly receive a record deal with a major label, including the production of music videos.
In conjunction with the finals, the public will be able to vote online in two categories: best performer and best composer.
The event Sunday will air from 7 to 9 p.m. Mexico City time on Canal Once, Canal 22 and Canal 14; the first two are on various platforms and cable systems in the United States. Additionally, the show is expected to be streamed live on YouTube channels, such as the official Gobierno de México and Secretaría de Cultura accounts.
Mexico and state oil company Pemex flared 5.7 billion cubic meters of natural gas last year, even as the country imports natural gas from the U.S. (Shutterstock)
Long one of the world’s leading oil producers, Mexico is also among the top nine countries that together account for 75% of global methane emissions from gas flaring and venting. It is a dubious ranking that has not gone unnoticed. Indeed, for years Mexico has signaled its intent to reduce methane emissions. There are obvious climate and emission reduction goals but also important energy security aspects that are increasingly relevant.
Cutting flaring — the practice of burning off unwanted natural gas at oil and gas sites, converting methane that would otherwise escape into the atmosphere into carbon dioxide — through better maintenance and gas capture technology is widely seen as low-hanging fruit. In 2016, the country endorsed the World Bank’s Zero Routine Flaring by 2030 initiative and reaffirmed that pledge in 2025. Then in 2018, the Peña Nieto administration enacted one of the world’s most ambitious methane regulations in the oil and gas sector. It mandated leak detection and repair, vapor recovery systems, low-bleed technologies and reduced-emission completions, aiming to cut sector methane emissions by around 75% by 2025. In its 2022 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the United Nations, Mexico committed to lowering its total greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by 2030, including a goal to utilize 98% of methane from oil and gas operations. That’s the good news.
A gas flare burns at the top of a tower at Pemex’s Olmeca Refinery in Dos Bocas, Tabasco. (Gobierno de México)
Despite these stated ambitions, Mexico and its state oil company, Pemex, are not effecting positive change. In 2024, the country flared 5.7 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas, up from 5.5 bcm in 2023. Even more troubling, flaring intensity rose from 7.8 cubic meters per barrel in 2023 to 8.5 cubic meters per barrel in 2024. Aging infrastructure and maturing oil wells make gas management more difficult, but there are also signs of simple neglect — and non-compliance with the nation’s own goals and objectives. A 2024 Reuters report revealed that Pemex deliberately delayed repairs on failing equipment at its Zaap-C platform in the Gulf of Mexico, allowing methane to vent into the atmosphere for months. (Venting refers to releasing natural gas directly without combustion.)
This more recent backsliding occurred during the final years of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s administration, which ended in October 2024. His successor, Claudia Sheinbaum, has presented herself as more climate-focused and has signaled that Pemex will end costly flaring practices.
Energy security in the Trump era
There is a very compelling geopolitical argument and context. Today Mexico imports about 70% of its natural gas, almost entirely from the United States. That dependence looks manageable when markets are calm and Washington is cooperative, but it becomes a glaring vulnerability in the face of potential political and environmental shocks. During the 2021 Texas freeze, disruptions in natural gas supply left almost 5 million households and businesses in northern Mexico without power. The second iteration of a Trump administration has been nothing but volatile to nearshore relationships, using tariffs to bully partners to the negotiation table. Similarly, renegotiations of the USMCA review are scheduled for 2026, posing a credible risk that Trump will use those to further leverage America’s resources.
Mexico cannot end its dependence on U.S. gas overnight, but capturing and utilizing what is now flared and vented would make the country more resilient to unforeseen shocks. Every molecule of methane redirected from a flare stack into a pipeline is a molecule that does not have to be bargained for across the border. It is a buffer against weather emergencies, pipeline politics and the whims of U.S. electoral cycles.
For a country with a state-owned oil company and an environmentalist president who has promised to reclaim climate leadership, this is an obvious step toward a more sovereign and secure energy sector. Mexico cannot eliminate its reliance on U.S. gas overnight, but by turning its flaring and venting waste into a usable resource it can greatly reduce exposure to external shocks while creating tangible domestic benefits.
What natural gas capture could look like
For Mexico, the path forward to positively impacting and significantly reducing flaring and venting is not a mystery. The International Energy Agency estimates that about 40% of methane emissions from oil and gas operations worldwide could be cut at no net cost, since the value of the captured gas exceeds the expense of the equipment needed. The economics are positive and point to many projects with the potential for quickly amortizing investments, especially with support from climate finance or green bond funding.
In practice, modular compressors and flare gas recovery systems, already deployed in dozens of producing countries, could turn wasted natural gas into revenue. Pemex itself projects that reaching zero routine flaring by 2030 will require over US $2 billion in capital outlays. Alone, it’s a significant figure, but much smaller next to its annual budget and what Mexico spends each year on imported U.S. gas.
The benefits of curtailing flaring and venting extend beyond the balance sheet. Mexico has the chance to slash its greenhouse gas footprint, help Pemex meet its climate commitments as part of its sustainability plan, and improve the company’s credibility with lenders who are increasingly reluctant to finance fossil fuel firms. It would also create jobs in the service sector for installing and operating the needed infrastructure.
And that is before accounting for the costs being assumed by Mexican society. Climate-driven disasters such as hurricanes, heatwaves and droughts are already wreaking havoc across the region. At the local level, flaring in southeast Mexico has also been linked to a range of adverse health outcomes, imposing incalculable losses in healthcare spending and quality of life for communities living in extraction zones.
With much uncertainty on the horizon, even a modest 8.5% gain in natural gas self-sufficiency could prove decisive. It could also serve as great domestic politics for the Sheinbaum administration, marrying her desire to be seen as more ambitious on climate action as well as economic security in the face of the non-stop challenges emanating from the U.S. administration in Washington.
Jeremy M. Martin is Vice President for Energy and Sustainability at the Institute of the Americas, an inter-American public policy think-tank located at the UC San Diego.
Paul Youngblood is a researcher with the Institute of the Americas’ Energy & Sustainability program and a graduate student at UC San Diego’s School of Global Policy and Strategy.
UNAM political science student Arlín Medrano, right, is one of the Mexican activists detained by Israeli forces on Wednesday. (Presidencia/Arlín Medrano)
President Claudia Sheinbaum on Thursday called for the immediate repatriation of six Mexicans who were taken to Israel after Israeli forces intercepted a flotilla that was carrying aid bound for the war-torn Gaza Strip.
The Israeli Navy detained hundreds of activists approaching the Gaza Strip in small vessles as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla on Wednesday. (Global Sumud Flotilla via NBC News)
The Guardian reported that the flotilla consisted of “more than 40 civilian boats carrying about 500 parliamentarians, lawyers and activists” and was “heading towards Gaza bringing humanitarian aid despite repeated warnings from Israel to turn back.”
The vessels, which departed from various Mediterranean ports, “were sailing in international waters north of Egypt on Wednesday afternoon when the interceptions began,” the Guardian reported.
Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on social media on Thursday that “none of the Hamas-Sumud provocation yachts” had “succeeded in its attempt to enter an active combat zone or breach the lawful naval blockade” off the coast of Gaza.
“All the passengers are safe and in good health. They are making their way safely to Israel, from where they will be deported to Europe,” it said.
Sheinbaum said that six Mexicans who were traveling on vessels that were part of the flotilla were in Ashdod, a port city about 40 kilometers south of Tel Aviv.
She said that the Mexicans — three women and three men — hadn’t yet received consular assistance. Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) subsequently said on social media that officials from the Mexican Embassy in Israel had traveled to Ashdod to “directly verify the conditions on the ground, request consular access, and ensure that … [the] safety and integrity [of the Mexicans] is respected, in accordance with applicable international law.”
The SRE said that the six Mexicans and other “participants in the flotilla” would be taken to the Ktzi’ot detention center. The ministry said that another Mexican on board a legal support vessel was headed to Cyprus.
Sheinbaum had noted that Israeli authorities said that the Mexicans would be taken to a detention facility.
“… We’re obviously against this situation. Humanitarian aid has to reach Gaza, and our Mexican brothers and sisters — everyone — but in particular our compatriots have to be immediately repatriated because they didn’t commit any crime,” she said.
Sheinbaum said that her government had sent four diplomatic notes to Israel.
Six Mexicans who had joined the flotilla were among those detained. (Arlín Medrano)
The first, sent three days ago, requested “physical guarantees for our compatriots,” she said.
Sheinbaum said that the second diplomatic note, sent on Tuesday, asked Israel to explain the grounds on which the Mexicans would be “intercepted,” if that indeed happened.
The third diplomatic note, sent after the flotilla was intercepted, demanded the “comprehensive physical safety of our compatriots,” while the fourth requested the “immediate repatriation” of the six Mexicans, she said.
“They’re detained in the port [of Ashdod], they haven’t yet taken them to the detention center. … There is no reason for them to be detained,” Sheinbaum said.
“They haven’t committed any crime and they should be handed over to Mexican authorities [in Israel] for their repatriation,” she said.
“And we demand for the humanitarian aid to arrive [in Gaza] and for this harassment against Gaza to stop,” Sheinbaum said.
Mexicanas en flotilla a Gaza interceptadas por Israel; piden ayuda a Sheinbaum
The SRE said in a statement on Wednesday that the Mexicans had no purpose other than to “offer humanitarian aid.”
It said they are “peaceful” people without links to any “violent groups.”
People in Mexico affiliated with the flotilla released video messages from two Mexican women who were taken to Israel after the interception of aid-carrying vessels.
“Hello, my name is Arlín Medrano and if you are watching this video it’s because we were illegally intercepted in international waters by the Israeli occupation,” says Medrano as she holds up her Mexican passport.
Sol González Eguía conveyed a similar message in her video.
