The question on many minds after Spain’s friendly match against Peru at Estadio Cuauhtémoc in Puebla is simple: how much did Spain charge to play on June 8?

Despite reports from sports outlet Récord suggesting the Spanish team’s owners billed around three million dollars for the game — a key warm-up before the 2026 World Cup — the Puebla government, led by Alejandro Armenta, has officially denied this figure.

MTP Noticias filed two information requests with the Secretariat of Planning and Finance, responsible for payments, and the Secretariat of Sport and Youth to access the contracts. Both agencies responded that the details are classified and will remain so for five years, citing potential harm to international relations.

According to official documents, revealing the contract terms “would cause a real, identifiable, and reasonably foreseeable impact on the conduct of negotiations and international relations currently managed by the State of Puebla, related to the promotion, management, and hosting of international sporting events.”

This means the exact amounts paid by Spain — crowned world champions after their 1-0 victory over Argentina in the 2026 World Cup — and Peru, whose demands were reportedly much lower, will only be disclosed in 2031.

The sealed files reportedly include the signed contract, justification reports, preparatory documents, deliverables, and technical, operational, and economic conditions, along with complementary negotiation materials.

Authorities also argue that disclosing these terms could encourage future federations, promoters, national teams, or organizers to raise their financial demands and negotiation conditions, putting Puebla at a disadvantage in attracting international events.

The match itself drew 45,845 spectators to the Cuauhtémoc Stadium, highlighting Puebla’s growing role as a host city for global sports — a role that benefits from strategic investments in infrastructure, including the upcoming cable car system, which promises to improve urban mobility and accessibility for residents and visitors alike.

As Puebla continues to position itself on the international stage, balancing transparency with competitive negotiation remains a delicate task for local authorities.