The history of Athletic Club cannot be understood without that of Athletic Women. What started out as a necessary commitment to visibility and equality back in 2002 is now an indisputable reality that fills the stands and breaks records. Reviewing more than 20 years of Athletic Women is much more than a commemoration, it is a tribute to a generation of Athletic Club players who have taken the name of Bilbao to the elite of European football, with the support of a youth academy that never runs out of steam. From those initial steps to the magical nights of the Champions League, the team has built an identity based on local talent and an unwavering commitment to values that are now the pride of the whole of Bizkaia.
From neighbourhood clubs to the elite of the Liga F
The excellent performance of the first team is no coincidence. It is the result of a sporting structure that nurtures grassroots football. Bizkerre FT and Lauro Ikastola are two major entities, two true drivers of talent that have shaped those who run the changing room in the Liga F. This work with young players has enabled Athletic to compete on equal terms with the big budgets of national football, achieving historic milestones, such as winning the Queen’s Cup or the five league titles that sit in our trophy cabinets. . Each and every promotion or trophy is the result of a model that prioritises homegrown training, turning every new player into a key part of our collective memory.
This track record has also been echoed on the continent. The debut in the UEFA Women’s Champions League not only raised the club’s international prestige, but also made the whole world look towards Bilbao. The clashes against major European clubs have shown that Athletic Women not only competes, but does so with a style of its own that attracts sponsors and media, taking the visibility of women’s football to levels never seen before. It is a constant progression that is felt in each contract renewal and in the arrival of promising young players who ensure that the future of the club is in the best hands, following in the footsteps of emblematic figures.
San Mames: the stadium where records are broken
If there is one place where women’s football is found in full glory, that is San Mames. “The Cathedral” is no longer just the stadium for the men’s team, but has become the epicentre of major events for the Lionesses. Attendance has evolved at breakneck speed: from early matches with a few thousand loyal fans to historic clashes with more than 48,000 people in the stands, supporting the team on nights that have gone down in history for women’s football. This unconditional support from the fans has turned every match at San Mames into a determined party, where the stadium’s electric atmosphere bridges the gap between the stands and the pitch.
To understand this emotional link, there is no better way than to visit the AC Museum, where the space devoted to thewomen’s team occupies a place of honour. An interactive tour enables visitors to discover the original objects of the pioneers and relive key moments of these years. It is the perfect complement for those who decide to take the San Mames Tour, as they will be able to discover all of the ins and outs of a stadium that is deservedly a symbol of equality and sporting progress in Spain.Tributes such as that of the players in the 2024-2025 season or the presentation of each season’s newcomers, reinforce the idea that this club’s history is written with a woman’s name.
Join the Lionesses for the 2026/27 season
Supporting Athletic Women is much more than going to a match: it is continuing to write a story of commitment, talent and shared pride. The upcoming 2026/27 season marks another opportunity to experience it from the stands.
