Estadio San Mamés

Key facts

Club: Athlétic Club | Opening: 2013 | Capacity: 53,000 seats

History and description

Estadio San Mamés replaced Athlétic’s old stadium with the same name, which had served the club for almost 100 years, but did not offer the facilities of modern-day stadiums.

First plans for the construction of a new stadium were made as early as 2004, and first contracts were signed by the end of 2006. Athletic presented the definite plans for the stadium in 2009, and building works started late 2010.

The new Estadio San Mames officially opened on 16 September 2013 with a league match between Athlétic and Celta de Vigo (3-2).

At that moment, only three-quarters of the stadium had been completed as one end had been left open to allow Athletic to keep playing their home matches at the old San Mamés while the new stadium was built. Works continued on the remaining end during the 2013-14 season, and were completed before the start of the 2014-15 season.

Estadio San Mames was part of the initial selection of playing venues for the Euro 2020 Championships, but lost its spot to Seville’s Estadio La Cartuja due to strict restrictions in Basque Country due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

How to get to San Mames

Estadio San Mamés is located in central Bilbao. The stadium lies about 2 kilometres east of Bilbao’s old city centre, but closer to its main shopping areas, and also at just a 15-minute walk from Bilbao’s famous Guggenheim museum.

It is no more than a 30-minute walk to the stadium from most city centre areas as well as Bilbao’s two main railway stations, which lie next to each other. Following the shopping street Gran Via west will get you to the stadium.

Alternatively, the stadium can be reached by metro. Both Bilbao’s two metro lines pass the stadium. Take the metro at Casco Viejo in the old centre or at Abando at the railway stations, and get off after a few stops at station San Mames.

If coming from the Guggenheim, the stadium can be reached by tram (Euskotran). This tram line, which runs along the banks of the river Nervión, also passes the old city centre and the train stations.

If arriving by car, the stadium can be easily reached coming from the A-8 motorway. Take exit 117 toward Bilbao, and drive up north over the Avenida Sabino Arnana. After about 600 metres the stadium will be one block to your left.

Address: Felipe Serrate s/n, Bilbao

Eat, drink, and sleep near San Mames

Estadio San Mamés is located on the edge of Bilbao’s city centre, which means that there is a good amount of cafes, bars, and restaurants in the area. Further nightlife can be found further east in the historic centre (Casco Viejo) and around the railway stations.

There are various hotels close to Estadio San Mamés. Hotel Hesperia Zubialde, Hotel San Mames, Hotel Abba Parque, and NH Villa de Bilbao all get good reviews and are at just a few minutes walking from the stadium.

Click here for all hotels near San Mames, and here for options closer to the historic centre.

Athletic Bilbao Tickets

Tickets for Athletic Club matches can be bought online, or at the ticket windows of San Mames from two days before the match (in the morning and evening hours).

Tickets are also available at the ticket windows of San Mamés from two hours before the start of the match. Athletic’s attendances have shot up since their move to a new stadium, however tickets for most matches will be available on the day. It is advised to book in advance though for the Madrid and Barcelona games as well as local derbies.

Ticket prices can depend on the opponent, but typically range from €30.00 for a seat behind the goal to €110.00 for the best seats at one of the sides.

Photos of San Mames

Relevant Internet links

Athletic-club.net – Official website of Athletic Club.
Bilbao.net – Tourism website of the Bilbao city council.
Metrobilbao.com – Information on the Bilbao metro.
Euskotren.es – Information on the Euskotran system.