SAN MAMAS STADIUM

Soccer arrived in Bilbao at the end of the ^19th century, imported by English sailors. Students with a passion for the sport founded a team that later became Athletic de Bilbao. For a century, the San Mamés stadium was regarded as the cathedral of soccer, the cave of the lions (the players were nicknamed leones) where the hearts of the fans beat. The "Cathedral" was inaugurated on August 21, 1913, and the first goal was scored by Rafael Moreno, known as Pichichi. Today, the nickname "Pichichi" refers to the player who has scored the most goals in the league.

After hosting the team's matches for 100 years (1913-2013), the old stadium was demolished and replaced by a new one. With a capacity of 53,000, Athletic Bilbao's new stadium brings together a multitude of fans at every match, who experience their team's victories in soccer's new "cathedral". The new stadium boasts a vast 1,400 square metre museum dedicated to the history of the Club, which will be Copa del Rey champions in 2024 (a first in 40 years!). More than 500 objects preserved for over a century retrace the history of this legendary club. Trophies, interactive screens and a huge video wall featuring a hundred screens showing highlights of Athletic's history will delight fans of the beautiful game. The museum is complemented by a guided tour of the stadium, including access to the pitch, press room, changing rooms...