San Mamés Seating Guide
Where to sit & the best seats
“La Catedral” · “La Nueva Catedral”
Where to sit at San Mamés
Tribuna middle tier, central blocks
Elevated halfway-line seats with the full pitch in view and complete roof cover.
Upper tier Preferente or a Fondo
Covered high seats with a clear panoramic angle at a lower price.
Fondo Norte lower (Herri Norte)
Athletic's ultras concentrate the singing and colour behind the north goal.
Top back rows of the Fondos
High and behind the goal, the furthest points from play at the opposite end.
About San Mamés
The new San Mamés holds around 53,331 in a compact, steep, fully covered bowl of three tiers, and is still affectionately called La Catedral. The stands are the Tribuna (main), Preferente, and the two Fondos behind the goals, with the Herri Norte ultras massed in the north end. The best views are from the central Tribuna and Preferente mid-tiers; away fans are placed in a corner. The ground hosted the 2025 UEFA Europa League final and is one of the loudest venues in Spain.
A striking modern arena wrapped in a twisting ETFE-panel facade that glows red and white after dark, inheriting the nickname La Catedral from the storied old ground it replaced. Its steep, fully roofed tiers pull the crowd tight around the pitch, and the Basque passion of Athletic's support makes it one of Europe's great atmospheres.
San Mamés in photos
2 outside · 4 inside the venue
Seating map
This is the map used for ticket sales at San Mamés. Exact configuration varies by event.
How the venue is set up
La Liga / domestic football
Full three-tier bowl with Herri Norte driving the noise from the north Fondo. The steep anfiteatro upper ring keeps every seat close.
European nights (Champions/Europa League)
Same layout with a segregated away allocation and extra UEFA hospitality; the stadium staged the 2025 Europa League final.
Concerts / other events
The arena hosts occasional large concerts and rugby, with an end-stage layout that converts the pitch to a standing floor.
Seating levels explained
Lower tier (Grada Baja)Pitch-side ring, all sides
The closest continuous ring to the pitch.
Pros: Immersive, close to the play and the atmosphere.
Cons: Shallower angle in the corners and behind the goals.
Middle tierCentral side blocks
The prime elevated band along the touchlines.
Pros: Best all-round sightline of the whole pitch, fully covered.
Cons: The most expensive seats.
Upper tier (Anfiteatro)Steep top ring
The high, steeply raked uppermost ring.
Pros: Panoramic view, always covered, good value.
Cons: A steep climb and more distance from the pitch.
Fondo Norte (Herri Norte)Lower north blocks
The home ultras' end behind the north goal.
Pros: The loudest, most fervent section of the ground.
Cons: Constant standing, flags and singing — not for a relaxed watch.
Best seats at San Mamés
Best overall view
Tribuna middle tier, central blocks
Elevated halfway-line seats with the full pitch in view and complete roof cover.
Best value
Upper tier Preferente or a Fondo
Covered high seats with a clear panoramic angle at a lower price.
Best atmosphere
Fondo Norte lower (Herri Norte)
Athletic's ultras concentrate the singing and colour behind the north goal.
With kids / calm
Lower or middle Tribuna away from the Fondos
Seated, family-friendly area with easy access and good facilities.
Closest to the pitch
Lower tier along Preferente
Front rows sit right on the touchline for a ground-level view.
| For | Sections | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best overall view | Tribuna middle tier, central blocks | Elevated halfway-line seats with the full pitch in view and complete roof cover. |
| Best value | Upper tier Preferente or a Fondo | Covered high seats with a clear panoramic angle at a lower price. |
| Best atmosphere | Fondo Norte lower (Herri Norte) | Athletic's ultras concentrate the singing and colour behind the north goal. |
| With kids / calm | Lower or middle Tribuna away from the Fondos | Seated, family-friendly area with easy access and good facilities. |
| Closest to the pitch | Lower tier along Preferente | Front rows sit right on the touchline for a ground-level view. |
Seats to avoid & obstructed views
Top back rows of the Fondos: High and behind the goal, the furthest points from play at the opposite end.
Front rows of the lower corners: Shallow, pitch-level angle that hides part of the far side.
Away allocation corner: Set into a corner and among the more distant regular seats.
Seats beside the stage for concerts: Side-on or restricted views of the performance.
Accessibility & companion seating
Built to modern standards, San Mamés offers step-free access with wheelchair and companion spaces distributed around the bowl, plus lifts, accessible parking and adapted toilets. Accessible tickets are arranged through Athletic Club's dedicated services.
Where: Designated wheelchair platforms sit at the front of sections in the lower tier across several stands.
Upcoming events at San Mamés
Athletic Club Bilbao vs Sevilla FC
Sat, 22 Aug 2026 · La Liga
Athletic Club Bilbao vs Atletico Madrid
Sun, 6 Sept 2026 · La Liga
Athletic Club Bilbao vs Elche CF
Sun, 13 Sept 2026 · La Liga
Athletic Club Bilbao vs Deportivo Alaves
Sun, 20 Sept 2026 · La Liga
Athletic Club Bilbao vs Getafe CF
Sun, 25 Oct 2026 · La Liga
Athletic Club Bilbao vs Real Sociedad
Sun, 1 Nov 2026 · La Liga
Athletic Club Bilbao vs RCD Espanyol
Sun, 22 Nov 2026 · La Liga
Athletic Club Bilbao vs Real Madrid
Sun, 6 Dec 2026 · La Liga
Getting there
Transport
Metro lines 1 and 2 stop at San Mamés station right beside the stadium, and the tram and Euskotren also serve the area; the walk from the gates is only a couple of minutes. It sits in the Basurto area west of the centre near the river, with limited match-day parking, so the metro is the easy choice.
The area
San Mamés stands on the west side of Bilbao by the Nervión river, close to the Basurto hospital and within walking distance of the city centre and the Guggenheim. The surrounding streets fill with fans before kick-off and there are plenty of bars and pintxos spots nearby.
San Mamés · Bilbao, Spain
Frequently asked questions
What is the capacity?
Around 53,331, making San Mamés the largest stadium in the Basque Country.
Where do the ultras sit?
The Herri Norte ultras gather in the lower Fondo Norte behind the north goal.
Are the seats covered?
Yes — the roof covers every seat in the stadium.
Why is it called La Catedral?
The nickname passed from the historic old San Mamés, which was known as The Cathedral of football; the new ground carries it on as La Nueva Catedral.
Where do away fans sit?
Visiting supporters are usually placed in a segregated corner of the bowl.
How do I get there?
Take Metro Line 1 or 2 to San Mamés station, right next to the stadium.
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Hero image: Marco Almbauer, CC0 — via Wikimedia Commons