Foro Sol Stadium History and Location
The Foro Sol stadium is located in Mexico City, Mexico, inside the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez motorsports circuit built in a public park in 1959. The venue was initially constructed in 1993 as a temporary concert venue for significant acts playing the Mexican Grand Prix. It was then converted to a baseball stadium in 2000 as the home of the Diablos Rojos del México team. After the 2015 redevelopment of the race track, the current layout goes through the Foro Sol to create a unique stadium atmosphere for Formula 1, including holding the winner’s podium ceremony inside.
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Foro Sol Concert Venue
The Foro Sol was originally built in 1993 as a large concert venue in Mexico City. With a capacity exceeding 50,000 people, it quickly established itself by hosting major international music acts such as:
- Madonna – 1993
- Pink Floyd – 1994
- The Rolling Stones – 1995
- U2 – 1997
- Lady Gaga – 2011
- The Killers – 2012
- Metallica – 2013
- Taylor Swift – 2023 *
Only the 105,000-capacity Estadio Azteca is a larger concert venue in Mexico City. Some other notable concerts at Foro Sol include:
- David Bowie – 1997
- Pearl Jam – 2011
- Justin Bieber – 2012
- One Direction – 2013
- Coldplay – 2016
The 2016 Coldplay, as part of their A Head Full of Dreams tour, concerts at Foro Sol drew a record attendance of over 195,000 people. Foro Sol continues to be one of Mexico’s premier large concert venues, hosting major music festivals and concerts. Its location near the airport and massive capacity make it a popular choice for top international acts performing in Mexico City.
Foro Sol Baseball Stadium
From 2000-2014, the Foro Sol was converted to a baseball stadium as the home of the Diablos Rojos del México team. This provided a temporary home venue until the completion of their new dedicated stadium – Alfredo Harp Helú – located nearby. Some key facts about the Foro Sol as a baseball stadium:
- Capacity: Approximately 27,000 seats
- Home Team: Diablos Rojos del México (2000-2014)
- League: Mexican Baseball League (Triple-A)
The temporary nature of the baseball conversion led to the nickname “Infierno Solar” (Solar Hell) due to the lack of shade and amenities compared to an actual baseball stadium like Alfredo Harp Helú. Despite its drawbacks, some key baseball events were held at Foro Sol during this period:
- 2009 World Baseball Classic Pool B
- Annual Caribbean Series tournament
In 2014, the Diablos Rojos moved to their new ballpark, and Foro Sol returned to primarily hosting concerts and other events. It remains an integral part of baseball history in Mexico City, even if the “Solar Hell” conditions were not ideal for fans or players.
Foro Sol and Formula 1
When Formula 1 returned to Mexico City in 2015 after a 23-year absence, the track layout was redeveloped to go through the Foro Sol rather than demolish the stadium. This creative solution created a unique stadium atmosphere for the Mexican Grand Prix:
- Capacity: Over 30,000 spectators inside Foro Sol
- Close to the action: This allows fans to get very close to the cars and drivers
- Finish line: The start/finish straight, and the winner’s podium is located inside the stadium
Some key facts about Foro Sol and the Mexico Formula 1 race:
Year | Attendance |
2015 | 135,000 |
2016 | 185,000 |
2017 | 337,000 |
2023 | can expect more than 100,000 for Taylor Swift Concert |
The winner’s podium ceremony also takes place inside the Foro Sol in front of massive crowds, creating an electric atmosphere. Drivers have praised the venue as one of the most exciting on the calendar. Overall, integrating this historic concert venue into the Formula 1 track layout was an innovative solution that enhanced the race experience for competitors and fans alike.
Major Concerts at Foro Sol
Despite hosting Formula 1 and baseball, the Foro Sol continues to be best known as a premier concert venue in Mexico City. With a capacity exceeding 50,000, it has hosted many of the biggest names in music over the past 30 years. Some major concerts and acts at Foro Sol include:
- Madonna – 1993, 2012
- The Rolling Stones – 1995, 2016
- U2 – 1997, 2011
- Metallica – 1999, 2013, 2020
- Paul McCartney – 2002
- Shakira – 2011
- Coldplay – 2016 (record attendance of 195,000)
- Taylor Swift – 2023 * (expected attendance more than 100,000)
The stadium is also a popular venue for large music festivals such as:
- Vive Latino Festival
- Corona Capital Festival
- Machaca Festival
In 2022 and 2023, Foro Sol is scheduled to host concerts by significant acts like Taylor Swift, Guns N’ Roses, Dua Lipa, and Harry Styles. With its prime location, massive capacity, and history of hosting the world’s most prominent musicians, the Foro Sol remains one of the top concert venues in Mexico City and globally. It is a must-play destination for every central touring act.
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