Nickname(s):La Máquina (The Machine), Los Cementeros (The Cement Workers)
Founded:1927
Stadium:Estadio Olímpico Universitario
Capacity:72,000
1964-1971
1971-1972
1972-1973
1973-1974
1974-1979
1979-1980
1980-1995
1995-1997
1997-2001
2001-2022
2018-Present
Cruz Azul Crest History
TThe crest of Cruz Azul is built around one of the simplest and most recognisable symbols in Mexican football: the blue cross. The emblem reflects the club's origins within the Cruz Azul cement cooperative, and its traditional combination of blue, red and white has remained remarkably consistent.
The 1964–1971 crest used a rounded white shield containing a red circle and a large blue cross. The words A.C. CRUZ AZUL CLUB DEPORTIVO surrounded the central symbol, creating a more traditional club badge than the rectangular designs that followed.
In 1971, Cruz Azul introduced the basic structure that would define its crest for the next five decades. A large blue cross inside a white circle was placed on a red rectangular background, with DEPORTIVO above and CRUZ AZUL below.
Following the club's rapid accumulation of championships, stars began appearing above the crest. The 1972–1973 version displayed three stars, while subsequent badges added further stars as Cruz Azul continued its extraordinary domestic success during the 1970s.
By 1974–1979, the crest displayed six stars, reflecting the club's transformation from a relatively young top-flight team into one of the dominant forces in Mexican football.
Further championship success produced additional stars, and the 1980–1995 version displayed seven stars above the familiar rectangular badge. The central blue cross remained completely unchanged as the defining symbol.
A significant visual change occurred in 1995, when the rectangular crest was placed inside a large blue circular border. The word MÉXICO appeared at the bottom, while the championship stars were arranged around the upper section.
After Cruz Azul won the Invierno 1997 championship, an eighth star was incorporated. The 1997–2001 crest therefore represented the club's eight Mexican league championships at that time.
The 2001–2022 version refined this circular design with darker blue colouring and cleaner proportions. The eight stars remained around the upper half of the outer ring, while the historic red rectangle, white circle and blue cross remained at its centre.
Following the long-awaited Guardianes 2021 championship, Cruz Azul had won its ninth league title. Rather than permanently adding another star to an increasingly crowded badge, the club soon moved toward a much cleaner visual identity.
In 2022, Cruz Azul introduced a major redesign. The championship stars and the word MÉXICO disappeared, while the outer ring now carried the words CLUB DE FÚTBOL CRUZ AZUL.
The 2022–present crest retains the historic blue cross, white circle and red square but presents them within a simplified dark-blue circular frame. The redesign emphasises the core symbol rather than displaying the club's honours directly on the badge.
Cruz Azul Club History
Cruz Azul is a professional football club founded on 22 May 1927 in Jasso, Hidalgo, today known as Ciudad Cooperativa Cruz Azul. The club originated among workers of the Cementera Cruz Azul, giving rise to the nickname Los Cementeros, The Cement Workers.
For its first decades, Cruz Azul competed largely at amateur and regional level. The transformation into a major professional institution began during the 1960s, when the club entered Mexico's second division and started building a team capable of reaching the national elite.
The breakthrough came in 1964, when Cruz Azul won promotion to the Primera División. Only a few years later, the club captured its first Mexican league championship in the 1968–69 season, beginning one of the most successful periods in Mexican football history.
Cruz Azul dominated much of the 1970s. Championships followed in México 1970, 1971–72, 1972–73 and 1973–74, with the team becoming famous for its organisation, consistency and efficiency. This powerful generation helped establish the nickname La Máquina, The Machine.
Internationally, Cruz Azul was equally impressive. The club won three consecutive CONCACAF Champions' Cup titles between 1969 and 1971, becoming one of the dominant teams in the region.
During this period, Cruz Azul moved its operations to Mexico City, greatly expanding its supporter base. The club played at the Estadio Azteca and rapidly developed from a team rooted in a cement-producing community into one of Mexico's most widely supported football institutions.
Further league championships arrived in 1978–79 and 1979–80, giving Cruz Azul seven league titles in little more than a decade. This extraordinary period permanently established the club among the traditional giants of Mexican football.
After the dominance of the 1970s, league championships became considerably harder to obtain. Cruz Azul remained regularly competitive but experienced a long wait before finally winning its eighth title in Invierno 1997, defeating León in a dramatic final.
Cruz Azul also developed an important international profile. In 2001, the club produced an exceptional campaign in the Copa Libertadores, eliminating teams including River Plate and reaching the final against Boca Juniors. The championship was ultimately decided by penalties, with Boca taking the trophy.
The years that followed became famous for a series of painful near misses. Cruz Azul reached numerous Liga MX finals without winning the championship, including defeats in Apertura 2008, Clausura 2009, Apertura 2009 and Clausura 2013.
The dramatic 2013 final against Club América became particularly symbolic. Cruz Azul appeared close to ending its title drought before América produced a remarkable late comeback and eventually won the championship on penalties.
Despite the domestic frustration, international success continued. Cruz Azul won the 2013–14 CONCACAF Champions League, defeating Toluca in the final and qualifying for the FIFA Club World Cup.
The long championship drought finally ended in Guardianes 2021. Cruz Azul produced an outstanding campaign and defeated Santos Laguna in the final to win its ninth Mexican league championship, ending almost 24 years without a league title.
Cruz Azul has several major rivalries. Its most famous is the Clásico Joven against Club América, one of the biggest fixtures in Mexican football. Matches against Pumas UNAM also carry considerable importance because of the clubs' long histories in Mexico City.
