Key facts
- Mexico City's Hidalgo subway station has been renovated with decorative chandeliers.
- The upgrades are part of preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- The new lighting has become a viral attraction, generating numerous online memes.
- Commuters have expressed divided opinions on the aesthetic changes.
- Some passengers find the chandeliers exaggerated and question the timing of the renovations.
Decorative chandeliers installed at a busy Mexico City subway station ahead of the 2026 World Cup have sparked a wave of memes and mixed reactions from commuters. Renovations at the Hidalgo station, specifically on Line 2, have surprised passengers with ornate lamps and chandeliers, creating a stark contrast with the daily rush-hour crowds.
The station's new look has resulted in numerous online memes, with some passengers comparing the aesthetic to the set of period dramas. Student Montserrat Cardenas described the chandeliers as "really exaggerated" and questioned the last-minute nature of the renovations, referencing a popular meme comparing the station to a scene from "Beauty and the Beast."
Marketing specialist Marisol Venegas noted a sense of social fatigue, suggesting that while aesthetics are being addressed for the World Cup, other essential needs are being overlooked. The remodelling has transformed Hidalgo station into a viral attraction, though opinions on the upgrade remain divided.