History of Cruz Azul in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 12, 2026

Cruz Azul, officially known as Club de Fútbol Cruz Azul, is one of Mexico's most iconic and successful professional soccer teams. Based in Mexico City and owned by the cooperative Cooperativa La Cruz Azul, the club competes in Liga MX. Founded in 1927, 'La Máquina Celeste' (The Celestial Machine) has earned nine league titles, making them one of the most decorated clubs in the country. They also hold the record for the most CONCACAF Champions League titles won by a Mexican club. Despite a famous decades-long league title drought that ended in 2021, the club maintains a massive and loyal fanbase. Their home matches are famously held at the iconic Estadio Azteca, cementing their legacy as a powerhouse in North American soccer and a fundamental pillar of Mexican sporting culture.

1923: Carlos Garcés López debut with the Mexican national team

In 1923, Carlos Garcés López, who would later become associated with the founding of Cruz Azul, participated in the first official matches for the Mexican national football team.

1925: Initial planning of a baseball team

In 1925, the cooperative originally intended to organize a baseball team due to the sport's high popularity within the region.

March 1927: Referendum selecting football

On 22 March 1927, following advocacy from Garcés López, the cooperative conducted a formal referendum that officially selected football as the company's designated sport.

May 1927: Formal establishment of the football team

On 22 May 1927, the football team was formally established as a replacement for the previously planned baseball organization, with Garcés López appointed as the first manager.

1927: Founding of the Club

In 1927, the organization was established in Jasso, Hidalgo, under the original name Club Deportivo, Social y Cultural Cruz Azul, A.C.

1928: Carlos Garcés López Olympic participation

In 1928, Carlos Garcés López, a dentist and athlete employed by the Cooperativa La Cruz Azul, represented his country as part of the Mexican national squad during the 1928 Olympic Games.

March 1931: Acquisition by La Tolteca

On 1 March 1931, the Cooperativa La Cruz Azul faced potential bankruptcy due to financial strain during the Great Depression and was acquired by the cement company La Tolteca for 1 million pesos.

October 1931: Workers File Lawsuit Against Liquidation

On 15 October 1931, 192 workers of Cooperativa La Cruz Azul sued company executives to block the planned transfer of the property to La Tolteca, successfully preventing the liquidation after the government of Hidalgo intervened.

May 1932: Workers Granted Collective Ownership

On 21 May 1932, the governor of Hidalgo, Bartolomé Vargas Lugo, decreed the 192 workers as the official collective owners of the industrial plant, requiring them to repay 1.3 million pesos to the state over a decade.

1932: Start of Consecutive League Title Streak

Starting in 1932, Cruz Azul embarked on a remarkable run, securing 15 consecutive league titles within a local amateur league in the state of Hidalgo.

January 1934: Re-establishment as a Cooperative

On 29 January 1934, the company officially rebranded as Cooperativa Manufacturera de Cemento Portland La Cruz Azul, S.C.L., successfully re-establishing its status as a cooperative.

1937: Growth of Fan Base

By 1937, the football club Cruz Azul had successfully established a significant and loyal following among spectators in both the state of Hidalgo and Mexico City.

November 1941: Debt Settlement and Commemorative Match

On 2 November 1941, the workers finalized the payment of their debt to the state of Hidalgo, marking the 10-year anniversary of their ownership with a commemorative football match against Real España that concluded in a 0–0 draw.

1943: Conclusion of Amateur Dominance

By 1943, Cruz Azul concluded a period of dominance that saw the club win 15 consecutive league titles in the Hidalgo local amateur league.

December 1953: Appointment of Álvarez Macías as General Manager

In December 1953, Álvarez Macías was appointed as the general manager of Cooperativa La Cruz Azul. Having previously worked as an automotive mechanic for the company, Macías utilized his new leadership position to initiate plans for modernizing the cooperative and improving the quality of life for workers, which included increased investments in the organization's football club.

1958: Cruz Azul Lobbies for Professional Football Membership

In 1958, club captain Luis Velázquez Hernández acted as an ambassador to the Mexican Football Federation to advocate for Cruz Azul's official professional membership. Accompanied by Paulino Sánchez, Velázquez Hernández met with key executives Joaquín Soria Terrazas and Ignacio Trelles in Mexico City. Despite support based on the club's amateur success, Álvarez Macías opposed the move, arguing the team was not yet prepared for the professional level.

1960: Acquisition of Lafayette Reserve Team and Stadium Construction Planning

In 1960, Cruz Azul acquired the club Lafayette from Colonia Moctezuma to satisfy federation requirements for a reserve team, and simultaneously began planning the construction of a new club stadium to meet Mexican Football Federation standards.

1960: Invitation to the Copa de la Segunda División de México

In 1960, Cruz Azul received an invitation to compete in the 1960–61 edition of the Copa de la Segunda División de México, despite the club not yet possessing formal federation membership at that time.

April 1961: Cruz Azul Professional Debut and Registration

Throughout April 1961, the team participated in tournament matches, including a 2–1 victory against Zamora on 2 April 1961 and a 3–3 draw on 9 April 1961. Following their performance in these matches and subsequent rounds, the Mexican Football Federation officially granted Cruz Azul registration as a professional club in April 1961.

1961: Cruz Azul's Professional League Registration

In 1961, Cruz Azul was officially registered to compete in the second-tier professional league of Mexico for the upcoming 1961–62 season, marking a significant step in the club's history.

1961: Appointment of Jorge Marik as Head Coach

In 1961, Hungarian manager Jorge Marik, known for his previous stints with Atlas and Atlante, was officially hired to lead Cruz Azul as their head coach.

1961: Construction Commencement of Estadio 10 de Diciembre

In 1961, construction officially began on the club's new stadium, Estadio 10 de Diciembre, to ensure compliance with the regulations set by the Mexican Football Federation.

1963: Segunda División Promotion Success

During the 1963–64 season, which culminated in 1963, Cruz Azul secured their direct promotion to the Primera División by finishing in first place with a record of 19 wins, 7 draws, and 4 losses, totaling 45 points.

1963: Completion of Estadio 10 de Diciembre

The construction project for the club's home ground, Estadio 10 de Diciembre, was successfully finalized in 1963, providing the team with a facility that met official federation standards.

March 1964: Renovations at Estadio 10 de Diciembre

In March 1964, following the team's promotion, Estadio 10 de Diciembre underwent significant renovations, including the rebuilding of wooden stands and dressing rooms to meet the requirements of the top-flight Mexican Primera División.

1965: 1964-65 Primera División Campaign

During the 1964-65 season, Cruz Azul made their debut in the Mexican Primera División, concluding the campaign in 8th place with a record of 10 wins, 9 draws, and 11 losses.

October 1966: Appointment of Raúl Cárdenas

On 20 October 1966, the club officially appointed Raúl Cárdenas as head coach following a brief managerial stint by Walter Ormeño, who had overseen only three matches.

1968: 1968–69 Continental Treble Achievement

During the 1968–69 season, Cruz Azul achieved a historic continental treble by winning the Primera División, the Copa México, and the CONCACAF Champions' Cup. This milestone marked them as the first CONCACAF club and only the third worldwide to accomplish such a feat.

1969: 1969-70 Primera División Season Performance

During the 1969-70 Primera División season, Cruz Azul achieved a notable finish by securing second place in the general standings.

1970: Awarded 1970 CONCACAF Champions' Cup

On 15 December 1970, Cruz Azul was officially awarded the 1970 CONCACAF Champions' Cup title after fellow competitors Saprissa and Transvaal withdrew from the second phase of the tournament due to financial issues.

1970: Beginning of Cruz Azul's Dominant Decade

Starting in 1970 and lasting through 1980, Cruz Azul entered a period of extreme success, securing six league titles under the management of Cárdenas and Ignacio Trelles.

1971: Relocation to Mexico City

The football club officially moved its base of operations from Jasso to Mexico City in 1971.

December 1976: Death of Guillermo Álvarez Macías

On 18 December 1976, the long-serving Cruz Azul club president Guillermo Álvarez Macías passed away from a heart attack at the age of 56 while preparing for a meeting with Mexican president José López Portillo.

1980: Conclusion of Cruz Azul's Era of Dominance

By 1980, Cruz Azul concluded a highly successful decade where they earned the nickname La Máquina, or 'The Machine,' reflecting their consistent style of play and dominant record throughout the 1970s.

June 1981: Miguel Marín's Final Appearance

In June 1981, legendary goalkeeper Miguel Marín played his final match for Cruz Azul during a testimonial game held against Guadalajara.

2012: Name Change to Cruz Azul Fútbol Club, A.C.

In 2012, the organization underwent a rebranding process and was renamed Cruz Azul Fútbol Club, A.C.

2022: Adoption of Current Name

The club adopted its current official name, Club de Futbol Cruz Azul S.A. de C.V., in 2022.

2025: CONCACAF Calendar Year Leadership

Throughout the 2025 calendar year, Cruz Azul maintained a high level of performance, which led to the club being named the highest-ranked football team in the CONCACAF region by the IFFHS.

2026: IFFHS Club Ranking Recognition

In 2026, the International Federation of Football History & Statistics officially recognized Cruz Azul as the 71st-best club globally and the top-ranked team within the CONCACAF region.