The design in terms of comfort, security, and accessibility has
resulted in the UEFA classifying the stadium as ELITE, the
maximum rating and a requirement to host major football events
such as the finals of national and international competitions.
The careful attention paid to elements
of the design such as access, circulation, comfort and safety, as well as the integration
of the stadium into the urban fabric of Bilbao, are just some of the reasons why the UEFA considers
San Mamés to be a stadium of reference in Europe. San Mamés has been selected by the UEFA
to host some of the Euro 2020 matches.
"Football in its purest form is played on this pitch"
Ernesto Valverde, Trainer of Athletic Club
“A Champions League Stadium”
Nika Cuenca, Journalist of Diario AS
“Bilbao without San Mamés is like Paris without the Eiffel Tower”
Luis Fernández Former player of the French national football team and ex-manager of Athletic Club
"Playing in this stadium is breath-taking"
Aritz Aduriz, Athletic striker
“The first challenge in designing the stadium was to preserve and enhance the magic of the Cathedral”
César Azcárate, Head architect
Finalist at the VI edition of TheStadiumBusiness Awards, New Venue Award category
Stadium First Prize at the WAF Awards, World Architecture Festival 2015, Singapore
Stadium of the Year 2015 at the World Stadium Congress Awards, Qatar
Stadium Second Prize Stadium. Stadium of the Year Awards (Public Jury). StadiumDB Awards
In the design of the stadium, the configuration of the stands has been meticulously
analysed. The result is a sensation of pressure on the visiting team, intimidating them while, at the
same time, spurring on the local players. The visual effect, the proximity of the fan to the pitch, along
with the acoustic effect of the thundering roar of the spectators, creates an atmosphere for
exceptional football.
HEAR THE LIONS ROAR
Design, technology and sports in San Mamés new book
The stadium has been built under a Design and Construction Management contract, with the involvement of Idom from the early stages of the project.
SEATING CAPACITY
PREMIUM & VIP SEATS
SURFACE AREA (m2)
EFTE SAILS ON THE FAÇADE
To satisfy the requisite of the Club to play all home matches uninterruptedly in San Mamés, Idom proposed a system of phased construction that allowed play to be transferred from the old to the new stadium within three months.
