Photo:Euskaldunaa/CC BY-SA 3.0

San Mamés

Bilbao, Spain

Capacity

53,331

Opened

2013

Surface

Grass

Home Team

Athletic Bilbao

Overview

San Mamés, opened in 2013, is the modern home of Athletic Bilbao and one of Spain's most architecturally impressive stadiums. With a capacity of 53,331 spectators, this state-of-the-art venue replaced the historic old San Mamés while preserving the cathedral-like atmosphere that made the original so legendary. Known as "La Catedral" (The Cathedral), the stadium is renowned for the passionate support of Athletic Club fans and its distinctive rectangular bowl design. The venue hosted matches during UEFA Euro 2020 and combines modern facilities with traditional Basque football culture. Athletic Bilbao's unique policy of only fielding Basque players makes every match at San Mamés a celebration of regional identity and pride.

Key Features

✓Modern stadium opened in 2013, replacing the historic original
✓Distinctive rectangular design with steep stands for incredible atmosphere
✓One of 11 host venues for UEFA Euro 2020
✓Home to Athletic Bilbao, the only club with an exclusive Basque player policy
✓Built on the site of the old San Mamés, preserving football heritage

History

The new San Mamés opened on September 16, 2013, replacing the beloved old stadium that stood from 1913 to 2013. The original San Mamés was known as "La Catedral" for its imposing presence and legendary atmosphere, hosting Spain's first-ever international match in 1921 and multiple World Cup matches in 1982. The new stadium was built adjacent to the old one, which was gradually demolished as the new venue took shape. Designed by ACXT Architects led by César Azcárate, the modern San Mamés features a distinctive rectangular bowl with steep stands on all four sides. The stadium was inaugurated with a match between Athletic Bilbao and Celta Vigo. In 2020, it became one of the Euro 2020 host venues, hosting four matches including Spain's group stage games.

Seating Guide

San Mamés offers excellent sightlines throughout the stadium thanks to its modern bowl design. The lower tier (Gradas Bajas) brings fans close to the pitch, with sections 101-127 wrapping around the entire stadium. These seats provide an immersive experience, particularly behind the goals where Athletic's most passionate fans congregate. Sections 106-108 and 119-121 along the sides offer premium central views. The middle tier (Gradas Medias) provides the sweet spot for many fans, offering elevated views without being too far from the action. Sections 201-227 mirror the lower tier layout, with central side sections (206-208, 219-221) being most sought-after for their perfect pitch overview. These mid-level seats typically cost €45-75 for La Liga matches. The upper tier (Gradas Altas) offers panoramic views of the entire stadium and pitch. While further from the action, these seats (sections 301-327) provide excellent tactical perspectives and are the most affordable option, usually €30-50. The steep rake ensures good sightlines even from the back rows. The most atmospheric sections are the ends: Gol Norte (North Goal, sections 124-127) houses the hardcore Athletic supporters who lead the chanting, while Gol Sur (South Goal, sections 101-104) also generates passionate support. For the full San Mamés experience, these areas are unmatched, though they can be intense. Away fans are typically allocated sections in the upper tier corners.

Match Day Experience

Match day at San Mamés is a unique cultural experience that blends Basque tradition with modern football. The stadium opens 90 minutes before kickoff, but the real action starts hours earlier in Bilbao's famous pintxos bars. The streets around San Mamés and throughout the Casco Viejo (Old Town) fill with fans in red and white, hopping from bar to bar sampling pintxos and drinking txakoli (Basque white wine) or kalimotxo. Inside the stadium, the atmosphere is electric but distinctly different from other Spanish venues. Athletic fans are known for their constant, rhythmic support rather than sporadic chanting. The "Aupa Athletic!" roar before kickoff is spine-tingling, and the crowd maintains impressive noise levels throughout the match. The steep stands create an amphitheater effect, amplifying the sound. The stadium offers modern concession facilities with traditional Basque snacks including pintxos, bocadillos, and local cider. However, most fans prefer the pre-match pintxos crawl experience. San Mamés also features excellent facilities including spacious concourses and numerous restrooms, a significant upgrade from the old stadium. After the match, fans typically return to the city centre or the bars around San Mamés to continue socializing. The Indautxu and Abando neighbourhoods offer numerous options for post-match celebrations, while the Casco Viejo provides a more traditional atmosphere.

Getting There

🚇 Metro

Take Metro Line 1 (orange line) to San Mamés station, which is directly connected to the stadium. The journey from Bilbao city centre (Moyua station) takes just 5 minutes. This is by far the easiest and most popular option.

🚌 Bus

Multiple bus lines serve San Mamés, including Bizkaibus lines A3247, A3514, and city lines 13, 18, 38, 48, and 71. Most routes connect through Plaza Moyua or Termibus (main bus station).

🅿️ Parking

The stadium has limited parking in the surrounding area, with most spaces reserved for season ticket holders. Public parking is available at nearby Termibus (main bus station) or Bilbao Intermodal underground car park. On match days, using public transport is strongly recommended as traffic can be heavy.

🚶 From City Center

San Mamés is about 1.5km from Bilbao city centre (Plaza Moyua). It's a pleasant 20-minute walk through the modern Abandoibarra district, passing landmarks like the Guggenheim Museum. You can also walk from Casco Viejo (Old Town) in about 25-30 minutes.

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Frequently Asked Questions

San Mamés has a capacity of 53,331 spectators, making it the 8th largest stadium in Spain. The capacity is slightly larger than the old San Mamés which held 39,750.

The easiest way is via Metro Line 1 to San Mamés station, which is directly connected to the stadium. From Bilbao city centre (Moyua), it's just a 5-minute metro ride. You can also walk in about 20 minutes or take various bus lines.

Yes, San Mamés offers guided stadium tours on non-match days. The tour includes the changing rooms, players' tunnel, pitch-side, press room, and the Athletic Club Museum. Tours must be booked in advance through the official Athletic Club website and last approximately 75-90 minutes.

The Indautxu and Abando neighbourhoods near the stadium offer numerous hotels with easy stadium access. However, staying in the Casco Viejo (Old Town) or near the Guggenheim provides a better cultural experience with easy metro access to San Mamés. Most of Bilbao is within walking distance.

Athletic Bilbao maintains a unique policy of only fielding players of Basque origin (either born in the Basque Country or with Basque ancestry). This cantera policy makes them one of the most distinctive clubs in world football and adds special significance to every San Mamés match.

Match tickets range from €30 to €150+ depending on the opponent and seat location. Matches against Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Real Sociedad (the Basque derby) command premium prices. Stadium tour tickets cost approximately €14 for adults. Advance booking is essential.

The old San Mamés (1913-2013) was gradually demolished between 2013-2016 after the new stadium opened. Part of the old pitch was preserved and incorporated into a new residential and commercial development. A commemorative chapel honoring the stadium's history stands near the site.

Related Stadiums

Other stadiums in La Liga

Nearby Hotels

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Hotel Miro
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Gran Hotel Domine Bilbao
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Hotel Carlton
1.8km