History of Cruz Azul in Timeline

Cruz Azul is a professional football club based in Mexico City, competing in Liga MX. Founded in 1927 in Jasso, Hidalgo, the club moved to Mexico City in 1971. The club's name changed multiple times over the years. Since 2026, due to renovations at their primary venue, they play home matches at Estadio Cuauhtémoc in Puebla.

1923: Carlos Garcés López in Mexico's national team

In 1923, Carlos Garcés López, who later played a role in Cruz Azul's formation, was part of Mexico's national team in its first official matches.

1925: Initial Plans for a Baseball Team

In 1925, the Cooperativa La Cruz Azul initially planned to form a baseball team.

March 1927: Football Selected as Official Sport

On March 22, 1927, the cooperative held a referendum in which football was selected as the company's official sport, leading to the establishment of Cruz Azul.

May 1927: Team Established

On May 22, 1927, the Cruz Azul football team was formally established, with Carlos Garcés López as its first manager.

1927: Club Foundation

In 1927, Club de Futbol Cruz Azul was founded in Jasso, Hidalgo, initially named Club Deportivo, Social y Cultural Cruz Azul, A.C.

1927: First Home Kit

In 1927, Cruz Azul's first home kit consisted of a white shirt with blue vertical stripes.

1928: Carlos Garcés López in the 1928 Olympic squad

In 1928, Carlos Garcés López, who later played a role in Cruz Azul's formation, was part of the Mexico's Olympic squad.

March 1931: Acquisition by La Tolteca

On March 1, 1931, due to financial difficulties, Cooperativa La Cruz Azul was acquired by cement company La Tolteca for 1 million pesos.

October 1931: Workers Prevent Property Transfer

On October 15, 1931, the transfer of Cooperativa La Cruz Azul's property was prevented by 192 workers who unionized and sued the company's executives.

May 1932: Workers Become Collective Owners

On May 21, 1932, the governor of Hidalgo decreed the 192 workers of Cooperativa La Cruz Azul as collective owners of the plant.

1932: Start of 15 Consecutive League Titles

In 1932, Cruz Azul began a streak of winning 15 consecutive league titles in a local amateur league in the state of Hidalgo.

1932: Full White Kit

In 1932, Cruz Azul wore a full white kit with a dark blue collar.

January 1934: Reestablishment as a Cooperative

On January 29, 1934, the company changed their name to Cooperativa Manufacturera de Cemento Portland La Cruz Azul, S.C.L., reestablishing itself as a cooperative.

1937: Growing Popularity

By 1937, Cruz Azul had garnered a considerable following both in Hidalgo and Mexico City. Guillermo Álvarez Macías began playing as a midfielder for the team.

November 1941: Debt Settled

On November 2, 1941, the debt was settled, 10 years after workers took ownership of the plant. Cruz Azul organized a match against Real España that ended in a 0–0 draw to celebrate.

1943: Plain Royal Blue Shirt

In 1943, Cruz Azul adopted a plain royal blue shirt with white shorts and blue socks.

1943: End of 15 Consecutive League Titles

In 1943, Cruz Azul finished its streak of 15 consecutive league titles in a local amateur league in the state of Hidalgo.

1944: Plain Royal Blue Shirt

In 1944, Cruz Azul continued to wear a plain royal blue shirt with white shorts and blue socks.

December 1953: Álvarez Macías Appointed General Manager

On December 10, 1953, Álvarez Macías was appointed general manager of Cooperativa La Cruz Azul, laying plans to transform the cooperative into a functioning town and investing in cultural and recreational activities, including the football club.

1958: Lobbying for Federation Membership

In 1958, club captain Luis Velázquez Hernández lobbied the Mexican Football Federation for official membership on the club's behalf, meeting with Paulino Sánchez, Joaquín Soria Terrazas and Ignacio Trelles.

1960: Purchase of Lafayette and Stadium Plans

In 1960, Cruz Azul purchased Lafayette to serve as its reserve side. Plans to construct a club stadium were also conceived in 1960.

1960: Invitation to Copa de la Segunda División

In 1960, Cruz Azul was invited to compete in the 1960–61 edition of the Copa de la Segunda División de México, despite not possessing federation membership.

April 1961: Debut Game in Copa de la Segunda División

On April 2, 1961, Cruz Azul played its debut game in the Copa de la Segunda División de México, winning 2–1 against Zamora. The second leg was played on April 9, resulting in a 3-3 draw

1961: Stadium Construction Begins

In 1961, Construction began for Estadio 10 de Diciembre

1961: Registration in Second-Tier League and Town Renaming

In 1961, Cruz Azul was officially registered to compete in Mexico's second-tier professional league. Álvarez Macías requested the renaming of the town of Jasso, Hidalgo, to Ciudad Cooperativa Cruz Azul.

1961: Appointment of Jorge Marik

In 1961, Jorge Marik was appointed as head coach.

1963: Estadio 10 de Diciembre Completed

In 1963, Estadio 10 de Diciembre was completed

1963: Promotion to Primera División

In the 1963–64 season, Cruz Azul earned direct promotion to the Primera División by finishing first in the Segunda División season.

March 1964: Renovations of Estadio 10 de Diciembre

On March 6, 1964, Estadio 10 de Diciembre underwent renovations, rebuilding the wooden stands and dressing rooms.

1964: Move to Estadio 10 de Diciembre

In 1964, Cruz Azul originally played at Estadio 10 de Diciembre in Jasso, Hidalgo.

1964: Crest Modified to Include Full Name

In 1964, the club's crest was modified to incorporate the full name, Club Deportivo Cruz Azul, within a new shield outline.

1965: Debut in Mexican Primera División

During the 1964–65 season, Cruz Azul debuted in the Mexican Primera División and finished in 8th place.

October 1966: Appointment of Raúl Cárdenas as Head Coach

On October 20, 1966, Raúl Cárdenas was appointed as head coach of Cruz Azul.

1967: First Top-Flight Encounter

During the 1967–68 season, Cruz Azul secured a 1–0 victory against Pachuca as the away team, marking the beginning of the Clásico Hidalguense rivalry on the national stage.

1968: First Continental Treble

During the 1968–69 season, Cruz Azul won its first Copa México title, first Primera División championship, and first CONCACAF Champions' Cup.

1968: Return to Royal Blue

In 1968, Cruz Azul returned to a full royal blue kit.

1968: First League Title at Estadio 10 de Diciembre

In the 1968–69 season, Cruz Azul secured its first league title at Estadio 10 de Diciembre.

1968: First Major Title

In the 1968–69 season, Cruz Azul won the Mexican Primera División, marking their first major title just five years after being promoted.

1969: Second Place in Primera División

In the 1969–70 Primera División season, Cruz Azul finished second on the general standings.

1970: Era of Dominance Begins

Between 1970 and 1980, Cruz Azul began an era of dominance by winning six league titles.

1970: Second League Title at Estadio 10 de Diciembre

In the 1970 season, Cruz Azul won its second league title at Estadio 10 de Diciembre.

1970: México 1970 Tournament

In the México 1970 tournament, Cruz Azul defeated Pachuca 2–0 in a decisive match to secure their second championship.

1970: Awarded 1970 CONCACAF Champions' Cup

On December 15, 1970, Cruz Azul was awarded the 1970 CONCACAF Champions' Cup after Saprissa and Transvaal withdrew from the tournament.

1971: Departure from Estadio 10 de Diciembre

In 1971, Cruz Azul left Estadio 10 de Diciembre, although it remained an alternate venue for some matches.

1971: Move to Estadio Azteca

In 1971, Cruz Azul moved to the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

1971: Relocation to Mexico City

In 1971, Cruz Azul relocated to Mexico City from Jasso, Hidalgo.

1971: Square Crest Design Introduced

In 1971, the design of Cruz Azul's crest became a square shape, marking a major change from the previous shield-shaped design.

1971: Beginning of Clásico Joven Rivalry

In the early 1970s, the rivalry between Cruz Azul and América began, a period during which both clubs were dominant in Mexican football.

1973: Pachuca's Relegation

In 1973, Pachuca's relegation began a long hiatus in the Clásico Hidalguense rivalry, lasting nearly two decades.

December 1976: Death of Guillermo Álvarez Macías

On December 18, 1976, long-serving club president Guillermo Álvarez Macías died of a heart attack.

1980: Era of Dominance Ends

Between 1970 and 1980, Cruz Azul established an era of dominance by winning six league titles.

June 1981: Miguel Marín's Final Appearance

In June 1981, legendary goalkeeper Miguel Marín made his final appearance for Cruz Azul in a testimonial match against Guadalajara.

1988: Guillermo Héctor Álvarez Cuevas Becomes General Manager

In 1988, Guillermo Héctor Álvarez Cuevas became general manager of Cooperativa La Cruz Azul and president of the club.

1991: Signing of Carlos Hermosillo

In 1991, Cruz Azul signed striker Carlos Hermosillo, who became a leading figure in the team.

1993: Hermosillo Top Scorer

In the 1993–94 season, Carlos Hermosillo finished as the league's top scorer with 27 goals.

1994: Hermosillo Top Scorer

In the 1994–95 season, Carlos Hermosillo finished as the league's top scorer with 35 goals. Cruz Azul reached their first league final in six years.

1995: Hermosillo Top Scorer

In the 1995–96 season, Carlos Hermosillo finished as the league's top scorer with 26 goals.

July 1996: 1996 CONCACAF Champions' Cup Title

On July 20, 1996, Cruz Azul ended a 16-year title drought by winning the 1996 CONCACAF Champions' Cup in Guatemala City, including an 11–0 victory over Seattle Sounders.

1996: Move to Estadio Azul

In 1996, Cruz Azul briefly left Estadio Azteca for the Estadio Azul.

December 1997: Cruz Azul Wins Invierno 1997 League Title

On December 7, 1997, Cruz Azul defeated León in the final through a golden goal to claim the Invierno 1997 league title, ending a 17-year league title drought. Carlos Hermosillo converted a penalty in extra time to secure the victory for Cruz Azul.

1997: Start of Title Drought

Cruz Azul became infamous in Mexico for its failure to win a league title beginning in 1997 and lasting until 2021.

1997: Invierno 1997 League Title

Cruz Azul won another league title in Invierno 1997, adding to their achievements in the short tournament era.

1997: Crest Redesign

In 1997, the Cruz Azul crest underwent a significant redesign, becoming a fully circular emblem for the first time. The word "Mexico" was added at the bottom of the outer ring.

1999: Invierno 1999 Tournament

In the Invierno 1999 tournament, Pachuca defeated Cruz Azul with a golden goal in extra-time to claim their first-ever league championship.

January 2001: Establishment of La Sangre Azul

In January 2001, La Sangre Azul, Cruz Azul's primary organised supporters' group, was established and officially recognised by the club.

2001: Copa Libertadores Final

In 2001, Cruz Azul became the first Mexican and CONCACAF team to reach the final of the Copa Libertadores, narrowly losing to Boca Juniors on penalties.

2004: Las Celestes Inclusion

In 2004, Cruz Azul's official cheerleading club, known as Las Celestes, were included as part of the club.

2008: Cruz Azul Regularly Considered a Title Contender

From 2008 onward, Cruz Azul was regularly considered a title contender due to its financial resources and competitive squads.

2008: Cruz Azul Reaches Two Finals

In 2008, Cruz Azul finished second in the Clausura tournament, losing the final to Santos Laguna. They also reached the Apertura final, losing to Toluca in a penalty shootout after leveling the aggregate score.

2008: Cruz Azul Loses CONCACAF Champions League Final

In 2008, Cruz Azul's participation in the 2008–09 CONCACAF Champions League ended in the final, where they lost 2–0 on aggregate to Atlante.

2009: Cruz Azul Advances in CONCACAF Champions League

In 2009, during the 2009–10 CONCACAF Champions League, Cruz Azul finished first in Group C and advanced to the knockout stage.

2009: Cruz Azul Loses Liga MX Final

In 2009, for the Apertura 2009, Cruz Azul, coached by Enrique Meza and reinforced with José de Jesús Corona and Emanuel Villa, lost the Liga MX final to Monterrey 6–4 on aggregate, despite Emanuel Villa finishing as the league's top scorer.

2009: Cruz Azul Finishes Last in Clausura Tournament

In the Clausura 2009 tournament, Cruz Azul finished last in the league, recording only 13 points in 17 matches. Benjamín Galindo was dismissed and replaced by Robert Dante Siboldi as interim manager.

2010: Cruz Azul Loses CONCACAF Champions League Final

In 2010, Cruz Azul lost the CONCACAF Champions League final against Pachuca due to the away goals rule after a 2–2 aggregate score, missing a chance to participate in the 2010 FIFA Club World Cup.

April 2012: Club Name Change

In April 2012, the club officially changed their name to Cruz Azul Fútbol Club, A.C.

2012: Name Change

In 2012, the club changed its name to Cruz Azul Fútbol Club, A.C.

2013: Term 'cruzazulear' Gained Traction

Around 2013, the term cruzazulear, meaning to lose a match despite having a clear advantage, started gaining traction due to the club's inability to secure major titles despite reaching multiple finals.

2013: Cruz Azul loses to América in Liga MX final

Cruz Azul lost to América in a rematch of the Clausura 2013 final, extending Cruz Azul's league title drought. The first-leg ended in a 0–0 draw, and América won the second-leg 2–0.

2013: Clausura 2013 Finals

During the Clausura 2013 finals, América staged a dramatic comeback to equalize on aggregate in stoppage time before defeating Cruz Azul on penalties, a match often cited as one of the most memorable in Liga MX history.

2013: Cruz Azul Wins Copa MX but Loses Liga MX Final

In 2013, Cruz Azul won the Copa MX by defeating Atlante, but lost the Liga MX final against América in a penalty shootout after América scored two late goals to equalize the aggregate score.

April 2014: Cruz Azul Wins CONCACAF Champions League

On April 23, 2014, Cruz Azul won its sixth CONCACAF Champions League title after defeating Toluca, securing the club's first trophy in 17 years. This victory qualified them for the 2014 FIFA Club World Cup.

2014: Cruz Azul Begins Playoff Drought

Between the Apertura 2014 and Clausura 2017 tournaments, Cruz Azul failed to qualify for the liguilla playoffs for six consecutive seasons.

March 2015: Sanctions Against La Sangre Azul

In March 2015, La Sangre Azul lost access to official club support and faced sanctions from league authorities following violent incidents.

November 2017: Paco Jémez Leaves Club

On November 27, 2017, Cruz Azul announced that manager Paco Jémez would not renew his contract for the following season.

May 2018: Eduardo de la Torre Leaves, Ricardo Peláez Joins

On May 7, 2018, sporting director Eduardo de la Torre left Cruz Azul and was replaced by Ricardo Peláez.

2018: Return to Estadio Azteca

In 2018, Cruz Azul returned to the Estadio Azteca due to a contract renewal issue with Estadio Azul.

2019: Liga MX Record Tied by Leon

Cruz Azul won 12 consecutive matches, tying the Liga MX record set by León in the Clausura 2019.

2019: Supercopa MX Win

In 2019, Cruz Azul won the Supercopa MX.

May 2020: Guillermo Álvarez Indicted

In May 2020, club president Guillermo Álvarez Cuevas was indicted on multiple charges, including tax fraud, racketeering, and money laundering.

August 2020: Guillermo Álvarez Resigns

In August 2020, Guillermo Álvarez resigned from his position as club president after more than three decades, following an arrest warrant issued for him and other board members for alleged ties to organized crime.

December 2020: Cruz Azul Eliminated by Pumas UNAM in Semi-Finals

On December 6, 2020, Cruz Azul lost to Pumas UNAM in the Guardianes 2020 semi-finals. Despite winning the first-leg 4–0, Cruz Azul lost the second-leg by the same scoreline, and Pumas UNAM advanced due to their higher seeding.

2020: Appointment of Juan Reynoso

Following the Guardianes 2020 tournament, Cruz Azul appointed Juan Reynoso as head coach in preparation for the Guardianes 2021 tournament.

2020: Royal Spanish Academy Recognized 'cruzazulear'

In 2020, the term cruzazulear was formally recognized by the Royal Spanish Academy, highlighting the club's history of losing matches despite having a clear advantage.

May 2021: Guardianes 2021 Victory

On 30 May 2021, Cruz Azul broke their 23-year title drought with a 2–1 aggregate victory against Santos Laguna in the Guardianes 2021 final.

May 2021: Cruz Azul Wins Ninth League Title

On May 30, 2021, Cruz Azul secured a 2-1 aggregate victory against Santos Laguna to win their ninth league title, ending a 23-year championship drought.

July 2021: Cruz Azul Wins Campeón de Campeones

On July 18, 2021, Cruz Azul defeated León 2–1 in the Campeón de Campeones match.

2021: Guardianes 2021 League Title

Cruz Azul won the Guardianes 2021 league title, ending a 23-year title drought.

2021: Ninth League Title Win

In 2021, Cruz Azul won their ninth league title while playing at the Estadio Azteca.

2021: Fan Base Ranking

In 2021, a survey ranked Cruz Azul as having the third-largest fan base in Mexico, with approximately 10.9% of national support, or around 14 million fans.

2021: Royal Blue Kit with Navy Blue Stripes

In the 2021–22 season, Cruz Azul used a royal blue kit with navy blue stripes, replacing the traditional white.

May 2022: Diego Aguirre Named Head Coach

In May 2022, Diego Aguirre was named head coach of Cruz Azul.

May 2022: Juan Reynoso Dismissed

On May 18, 2022, Juan Reynoso was dismissed after elimination in the Clausura 2022 quarter-finals.

2022: Name Change

In 2022, Cruz Azul changed its name to Club de Futbol Cruz Azul S.A. de C.V.

2022: Supercopa de la Liga MX Win

In 2022, Cruz Azul won the Supercopa de la Liga MX.

2022: Name Change and Crest Modification

In 2022, the club changed their name to Club de Futbol Cruz Azul, and all surrounding stars were removed from the crest.

February 2023: Raúl Gutiérrez Let Go

On February 13, 2023, Raúl Gutiérrez was let go after a poor run of results.

December 2023: Martín Anselmi Appointed Head Coach

On December 20, 2023, Cruz Azul appointed Martín Anselmi as head coach.

2024: Temporary Return to Estadio Azul

In 2024, Cruz Azul announced a temporary return to the Estadio Azul, now known as the Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes, due to renovations at the Azteca for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

2024: Cruz Azul Loses Liga MX Final

In 2024, Cruz Azul finished second in the regular season and reached the final against América, losing the title 2–1 on aggregate after a penalty was awarded in the second-leg.

2024: Cruz Azul Sets Liga MX Points Record

In the Apertura 2024, Cruz Azul secured a record 42 points, setting a new Liga MX short-tournament points record. They also reached the semi-finals, where they were defeated by América.

January 2025: Anselmi Departs, Sánchez Appointed

On January 24, 2025, Martín Anselmi departed for Porto without notice, leading to controversy. Vicente Sánchez was appointed interim manager and then permanent head coach on February 23.

May 2025: Matches Played Against América

As of May 2025, Cruz Azul and América have met 203 times in total matches, with América holding 74 wins, 61 victories for Cruz Azul, and 68 matches ending in draws.

June 2025: Nicolás Larcamón Announced as New Head Coach

On June 16, 2025, Cruz Azul announced Nicolás Larcamón as their new head coach, signing a two-year contract with an option for one more.

June 2025: Sánchez Departs by Mutual Agreement

On June 6, 2025, Cruz Azul announced Vicente Sánchez's departure by mutual agreement due to the club's assessment that his project lacked long-term viability.

2025: Most Finals Contested

As of 2025, the Clásico Joven is the fixture with the most finals contested between two clubs in Mexican football, with a total of seven championship matchups.

2025: Move to Estadio Olímpico Universitario

In 2025, Cruz Azul moved to the Estadio Olímpico Universitario due to logistical issues at the Colonia Nápoles stadium.

2025: Crest Update

In 2025, the club introduced a slightly updated version of its crest, featuring subtle adjustments to the typography and proportions of the emblem.

2025: Highest-Ranked CONCACAF Club

In 2026, Cruz Azul was recognized as the highest-ranked club in CONCACAF for the 2025 calendar year by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics.

January 2026: Contract Non-Renewal

On 6 January 2026, UNAM notified Cruz Azul that the contract would not be renewed, citing logistical reasons including academic commitments and the stadium's use for the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

January 2026: Relocation to Estadio Cuauhtémoc

On 8 January 2026, Liga MX authorized Cruz Azul to relocate to the Estadio Cuauhtémoc in Puebla for the Clausura 2026 tournament.

2026: Renovations at the Azteca

In 2024, Cruz Azul temporarily returned to the Estadio Azul because renovations at the Azteca were scheduled for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.

2026: Ranked 71st Best Club

In 2026, the International Federation of Football History & Statistics named Cruz Azul as the 71st-best club in the world and the highest-ranked club in CONCACAF for the 2025 calendar year.