San Mamés is an iconic symbol of Bilbao’s avant-garde architecture. A stadium that has rightfully earned its place as one of the best architecturally significant buildings in Bilbao.
What´s known as The Cathedral stands as a global benchmark in engineering and sustainability, with several awards to its name, positioning the red-and-white stadium as one of the best sports stadiums in the world.
Inaugurated in September 2013 in its first phase and completed two years later, the new San Mamés was developed as a response to the need to modernize the stadium, maintaining its historical essence while equipping it with cutting-edge technological and environmental advancements.
Its structure, with steep stands that bring the public closer to the pitch and a lightweight ETFE roof that maximizes natural light, has been praised for merging functionality, aesthetics, and respect for the urban environment of the Nervión estuary.
San Mamés: The World’s Best Sports Building in 2015
Among its most outstanding achievements is the award for World’s Best Sports Building, presented in November 2015 by the World Architecture Festival (WAF) in Singapore. This award, one of the most prestigious in the field of contemporary architecture, recognized the stadium’s harmonious integration into Bilbao´s cityscape, combined with its ability to generate a unique atmosphere during matches.
That same year, San Mamés was nominated for and won the Stadium of the Year award at the World Stadium Congress in Doha, Qatar, where the judges highlighted its “technical complexity and historical narrative.”
The expansion of its roof in 2017, a masterpiece of structural engineering, also gained worldwide acclaim. That year it received the Structural Awards in the Long Span Structures category, an international award that celebrates the best innovations in large-scale structures.
Furthermore, the same roof was recognized at the Third Annual Engineering Awards of the Scientific-Technical Association of Construction (ACHE) as the best facade and roof structure.
A stadium committed to sustainability
One of the most important aspects of San Mamés is its sustainability. In fact, it became the first Spanish football stadium to obtain LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), a green seal that validates its environmentally friendly practices, such as the efficient use of energy and recyclable materials.
In July 2020, this approach earned it an award in the Sports and Recreational Facilities category of the World Design Awards, presented by The Architecture Community, which praised its balance between form, function, and respect for the environment.
San Mamés’s Safety
Beyond its architectural awards, the stadium stands out for its safety. In 2017, it obtained the UNE 179.003 Safety Certificate, making it the safest stadium in Europe according to DNV GL. That same year, it was chosen as the Best Stadium in the World at the World Football Summit in Madrid, highlighting its role in the global football industry. In June 2020, France Football included it in its list of the 30 most vibrant stadiums in the world, ranking it ninth, in recognition of the energy emanating from its stands.
Unique Experiences at San Mamés
The current San Mamés stadium offers unique experiences. From exploring the 125-year history of Athletic Club at the AC Museoa, the Athletic Club Museum, to touring its main areas and going down to the pitch with the San Mamés Tour, purchasing red and white merchandise at the Athletic Club store located within the stadium itself, or refueling at the restaurants and bars San Mamés Jatetxea, La Campa de los Ingleses, or Geuria.
Likewise, when watching a match, there’s the option of experiencing a game like never before thanks to VIP experiences such as The Lion Experience, Players Zone VIP, Executive Club, Presidential Box, Skybox, and VIP tickets. It also allows for the celebration of all kinds of events in its various spaces.
Discover the San Mamés VIP Area
It’s no wonder San Mamés is the Cathedral of Football!
