<\/p>\n

Key facts<\/h3>\n

Club: Athl\u00e9tic Club | Opening: 2013 | Capacity: 53,000 seats<\/p>\n

History and description<\/h3>\n

Estadio San Mam\u00e9s replaced Athl\u00e9tic’s old\u00a0stadium<\/a> with the same name, which had served the club for almost 100 years, but did not offer the facilities of modern-day stadiums.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The new Estadio San Mames officially opened on 16 September 2013 with a league match between Athl\u00e9tic and Celta de Vigo (3-2).<\/p>\n

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 Mam\u00e9s 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.<\/p>\n

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

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