World Cup 2026: Mexico City becomes a battlefield of repression
Rents are skyrocketing, evictions are increasing – the 2026 World Cup is accelerating gentrification in Mexico City. Particularly affected: neighborhoods around the Aztec Stadium and hip locations like Roma or Condesa.
The 2026 World Cup will be an accelerant for social injustice in Mexico City. As international tourists and digital nomads drive up rents in neighborhoods like Roma and Condesa, local residents battle displacement and rising costs of living. Since the pandemic, rental prices in the affected districts have doubled or tripled.
Tenants are hit particularly hard around the Aztec Stadium, where landlords are deliberately evicting tenants in order to generate more income. Data from AirDNA shows that average rents in Roma have increased by over 150 percent since 2020. The situation is made worse by the influx of US tourists booking accommodation early for the 2026 World Cup.
