San Mamés Stadium

The new San Mamés is one of the most modern and iconic stadiums in European football and the very heart of Athletic Club. Opened in 2013, it stands almost exactly on the site where the club’s old ground, popularly known as ‘La Catedral’, stood for a century. That historic stadium, opened in 1913, was one of the most legendary in Spain and the setting for some of the most important moments in Basque football. When the club decided to build a new stadium, the aim was clear: to preserve the spirit of the old San Mamés whilst incorporating 21st-century facilities.

The new stadium has a capacity of over 53,000 spectators and stands out for its modern and functional architecture. The building is clad in a façade made up of thousands of white panels which, at night, light up to create a striking visual effect. This lighting can change colour depending on the event or occasion, although red and white – Athletic’s colours – are the usual protagonists.

The interior of the stadium is designed to offer excellent visibility from virtually any seat, with the stands very close to the pitch to maintain the intensity that has always characterised the atmosphere at San Mamés. On match days, the stadium becomes a veritable cauldron: the chants of the red-and-white supporters and the proximity of the crowd create an atmosphere that many teams consider to be one of the most impressive in Europe.

As well as the football pitch, the stadium houses numerous modern facilities. Among these, the Athletic Club Museoa stands out, tracing over a century of the club’s history through trophies, shirts and audiovisual material. The complex also includes restaurants, event spaces, official shops and VIP areas. All this makes San Mamés a vibrant venue all year round, not just on match days.

The stadium has also been the venue for major international events. It has hosted European finals, national team matches and international competition fixtures, establishing itself as one of the country’s most prominent sports venues.

HOW TO GET THERE
San Mamés is situated in the Basurto neighbourhood, very close to the centre of Bilbao, and is very easy to reach by public transport. San Mamés station connects directly to the Bilbao Metro (lines 1 and 2), to several Euskotren Tranbia tram lines and to the Bilbao Intermodal long-distance coach station. From the Gran Vía area or Plaza Moyúa, it is about a 15–20-minute walk. On match days, thousands of fans make their way on foot to the stadium, creating one of the city’s most distinctive football atmospheres.