San Mamés Barria
San Mamés Barria: Inside the Planning & Construction of Bilbao’s New “Cathedral”
Athletic Club Bilbao’s home stadium, San Mamés, is among the most evident in Spain or Europe. There is much more to the story of San Mamés than just football; it has become known for its electrifying environment, historical significance, or steadfast commitment to the local community. It is a tale of pride, passion, with tenacity. However, the construction of this new San Mamés stadium is a lengthy process that started with the initial planning phases in 2004 while ending with the stadium’s official opening in 2013. The design, development, and final completion of this contemporary football cathedral—which is just as much an attribute of Bilbao’s identity as the team itself—will be discussed in this blog article.
The Beginnings: Laying the Foundations for the New San Mamés
In the early 2000s, the construction of the new San Mamés stadium started in a low-key manner. By 2004, Athletic Club had started looking for ways to replace the ancient San Mamés, its deteriorating home field that had been in service since 1913. In addition to being outdated, the stadium—fondly referred to by fans as “La Catedral”—lacked the contemporary conveniences required to compete with the best clubs in Europe.
After much consideration, the decision was made to proceed with the project. For the building of the new arena, a location adjacent to the current stadium—which had hosted the Bilbao International Trade Fair until 2003—proved chosen. This key site gave the team the room they needed to construct a contemporary stadium that could hold 53,000 People spectators while also preserving the historical connection to the old San Mamés.
Following local administrations’ consent, the club along with additional stakeholders started formalizing contracts to begin building the new stadium in March 2006. The planning phases were finished by the conclusion of 2006, as the new San Mamés’s concept started to take shape.
The Groundbreaking Ceremony: A New Era for Bilbao
After years of preparation, the ground-breaking ceremony finally happened on the 26th of May 2010. Athletic legends, club officials, or local dignitaries met at noon to officially kick off the stadium’s construction.
The event was attended by significant figures such as:
- Patxi López, the Lehendakari (President) of the Basque Country
- José Luis Bilbao, the Deputy-General of Biscay
- Iñaki Azkuna, the Mayor of Bilbao
- Mario Fernández, Chairman of Bilbao Bizkaia Kutxa
- Ángel María Villar, President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation
- Fernando García Macua, President of Athletic Club
In addition to being a symbolic act for the team, this ceremony served as a chance for the entirety of Galway to demonstrate its steadfast support to Athletic Club for the surrounding area. It demonstrated the extent to which the club or the stadium were woven into the emotional and cultural fabric of the area.
When a brick and a piece of turf were moved from the old San Mamés to the newly established site using a human chain, it was one of the most poignant moments of the groundbreaking ceremony. In addition to famous athletes like Iribar, Larrazábal, Iturraspe, or Muniain, the chain also included the club’s oldest, the youngest registered supporters, the women’s squad, the reserve team, and youth system members. This symbolic act furthered the stadium’s significance to the neighborhood by highlighting the close relationship between the team and its supporters.
A Phased Approach to Construction: Building Amidst Tradition
Although it wasn’t a simple process, the new stadium’s development began in earnest after the groundbreaking ceremony. Due to the close vicinity of the previous San Mamés, the builders decided to develop in phases. The plan was to build a quarter of the new stadium first, then dismantle the old stadium behind it and watch matches in the new stands. Because of this, the team was able to play in Bilbao whilst the new stadium was being built, allowing fans to witness the stadium’s progress while still enjoying the excitement of a home match.
This methodical approach reduced disruptions to the club’s operations and controlled spending. Many people found it strange to watch the old San Mamés, which had hosted numerous noteworthy occasions in the club’s history, progressively disappear behind the shiny new stands of the contemporary San Mamés.
Funding the Dream: A Public-Private Partnership
In addition to being a logistical and technical difficulty, building the new San Mamés was also a major financial commitment. It was predicted that the stadium will cost roughly €211 million, or £178 million. It became evident that a public-private collaboration would be required to finance the project given the financial hardship on the nation, particularly in the Basque area.
The new stadium’s finance was distributed in a number of ways. With the Basque Government donating €50 million, the Bilbao City Council giving €11 million, or the Biscay Provincial Council contributing an additional €50 million (including the cost of land), public entities were instrumental in funding the stadium. The value of the land on which the stadium was being built constructed was included in the €50 million that Athletic Club contributed, which was another contribution from the private sector. Lastly, the project received an additional €50 million from regional bank BBK/Kutxabank.
Public funding accounted for 52.6% of the stadium’s total cost. At the time, this caused considerable controversy because there were worries that a private football club was the main beneficiary of the initiative being funded with public funds. To make sure there were no problems with state aid laws, the European Commission even started looking into how public monies were being used. The stadium could proceed with its building without additional financial examination, though, as Commissioner for Competition Joaquín Almunia declared at the end of 2013 that no case was being pursued.
The Final Push: Completing the Stadium
Most of the development was finished by 2013, so the new San Mamés was prepared for occupancy. The new arena was ready for welcoming fans into its cutting-edge facilities once the old stadium was destroyed. The stadium’s modern and sleek facade, which complemented Bilbao’s urban landscape, was a testimony to modern architecture. “no follow”
The rebuilt San Mamés was formally opened on the 16th of September 2013, with a game versus Celta de Vigo. It was a fitting beginning with a new era at San Mamés, as Athletic Club won the game 3-2. In addition to signaling the start of a new era for the team, the inaugural game demonstrated the commitment & diligence of all those behind the construction of the new stadium.
A Symbol of Bilbao: More Than Just a Stadium
More than merely a football stadium, the brand-new San Mamés has evolved since it opened. As a modern, energetic, or aspirational city that has respected its past while embracing the future, Bilbao has come to represent itself via it. The community gathers at the new stadium to celebrate local identity, sports, or culture in addition to using it as a location for football matches.
Among its many honors is the World Architecture Festival’s 2015 designation of the stadium as the Best Sports House in the World. In keeping with its dedication to environmental responsibility, it is also the first stadium in Europe to obtain the esteemed LEED accreditation for sustainability.
Looking Ahead: The Future of San Mamés
Looking ahead, Athletic Club & the city of Bilbao continue to rely heavily on their fresh San Mamés stadium. It serves as a hub for the neighborhood as well as an emblem of the team’s athletic goals. San Mamés will undoubtedly continue to have a significant role in Bilbao’s identity for many years to come thanks to its cutting-edge amenities, ecologic architecture, or recognizable presence in the city.
With spectators packing the stands for every home match, Athletic Club is still thriving in the new stadium. Since its debut, the stadium has seen a number of memorable events, which is certain to act as the setting for many more exhilarating occasions in the future.
Table: Key Events in the Planning and Construction of San Mamés
| Date | Event |
| 2004 | Initial planning begins for a new stadium. |
| March 2006 | Approval for new stadium granted. |
| Late 2006 | Initial contracts signed. |
| May 26, 2010 | Groundbreaking ceremony. |
| June 2013 | Demolition of old San Mamés completed. |
| September 16, 2013 | Grand opening of the new San Mamés. |
Conclusion: A Story of Tradition and Innovation
San Mamés’s story represents a mix of innovation and tradition, of a city and a club working together to build something that will endure. The road trip of the new San Mamés is a tribute to the enthusiasm and commitment of everyone who participated in making it a reality, from the early planning phases to the ground-breaking ceremony, in the phased constructing to the first match.
San Mamés is much more than mere stadium; it serves as a reminder of Athletic Club’s illustrious past, a ray of optimism for Bilbao football’s future, or a testament to the resilience and solidarity of the community at large. The Athletic Club spirit will endure for so long in the stadium is there.
