Athletic Club asks spectators to arrive well ahead of time and to walk or use public transport to get to the stadium to make access easier.
In view of the high number of spectators expected to attend Thursday night’s Europa League fixture at San Mames (21:00 CEST), Athletic Club would like to provide a series of important recommendations regarding traffic flow and entry to the stadium.
The San Mames gates will open at 19:30, 90 minutes before kick-off. It is strongly recommended that fans arrive as early as possible to prevent last minute crowds.
Furthermore, in line with the recommendations of the Bilbao City Council and the Basque Government, visitors are asked to travel to San Mamés on foot or by public transport when possible.
Pedestrian access to San Mames
For those arriving on foot or by public transport, the main access routes will be:
- Calle Licenciado Poza: Upon reaching San Mames’ outer concourse, direct access to it will be slightly diverted, so turn left and walk a few metres along Calle Briñas to enter the concourse.
- Alameda de Urquijo: direct access allowed.
- Calle Simón Bolívar: linking up with Zunzunegui and going down the steps from Ingenieros or going down Avenida Sabino Arana and taking Pozas.
- Avenida Juan Antonio Zunzunegui: down the steps outside the Ingenieros.
Restricted access
It is important to bear in mind that Avenida Sabino Arana (between Plaza de Sagrado Corazón and Calle Felipe Serrate) and Calle Felipe Serrate (between Sabino Arana and Gate 19 of San Mamés) will be reserved for away fans, so it will not be possible to gain access via this area.
Those arriving via the Euskalduna bridge will be able to reach the Plaza de Sagrado Corazón on the park side, but will not be able to go up Sabino Arana. Instead, they will have to turn off onto Gran Vía and continue along María Díaz de Haro, and from there take Licenciado Poza or Urquijo, whichever is more convenient for them.
Clockwise access to entrance gates
Access to the stadium gates will be clockwise. Gates 23, 24, 25 and 26, located at the front of the concourse, will be directly accessible after arriving via Pozas-Briñas or Urquijo.
After that, there are gates 1 to 13, which can be accessed in the usual way via Paseo Rafael Moreno ‘Pitxitxi’
Finally, to avoid accumulations in the area behind the ticket offices (gates 7 to 13), fans going to gates 14 to 20 will be advised to go down the stairs from Paseo Pitxitxi to Camino de la Ventosa and, from there, go slightly around the stadium until they reach the side where gates 14 – 20 are located.
Final recommendation
Athletic Club requests the maximum collaboration from fans to guarantee smooth and safe entry to the stadium. It is essential to arrive earlier than usual, to remain calm during entry process and to follow the instructions given by organisers and security staff at all times.
Please note that if a person arrives to the concourse and needs to enter through one of the side or rear gates, they must go around the stadium to the left, clockwise, as they will not be able to go directly to the right (Calle Felipe Serrate).
