World Cup 2026 Opening Match Draws Crowds to Cancun’s Paddock Club

Cancun, Quintana Roo — The 2026 World Cup kicked off in style at the Paddock Club of the Autodromo Internacional de Cancun, where dozens of soccer fans gathered to watch the opening match between Mexico and South Africa in an immersive, 360-degree viewing experience.

The event, dubbed “La Gran Carpa Mundialista,” offered free admission to a covered, air-conditioned space equipped with giant LED screens arranged in a full circle. Couples, families, and groups of friends attended the four-hour broadcast, which also featured food and beverage sales.

The visual setup was handled by LED Event Technology, a Mexican company that installed five LED screens covering a total of 150 square meters. Among the equipment was a 39-meter screen with IP certification, designed to withstand outdoor conditions such as rain and impacts.

The screens also displayed digital art pieces, including animations and moving patterns that turned the continuous surface into a digital canvas. The projection format ensured clear visibility from all angles within the venue.

Joel Banegas, CEO of LED Event Technology, said the collaboration with the Autodromo aimed to create a community gathering space. “We installed five screens; no matter which angle you look from, you can see the match,” he said. The company has previously provided LED technology for concerts by bands such as Morat and Los Angeles Azules.

Unlike large-scale concerts where screens are part of the stage design, this installation was tailored for a smaller social setting. “We set this up for Cancun and for Cancun,” Banegas added.