Cathedral built on quarry policy and cup custom
Bilbao
Teams, tales and tips – a guide to the local game
These are exciting times in Bilbao. Despite not being able to co-host Euro 2020, Spain's most venerable stadium and home of one of its most decorated clubs, the San Mamés, has been awarded the Women's Champions League final in 2024 and the Europa League final the following year. Rebuilt and partially reopened in September 2013, a century after the original stadium was unveiled on the same site exactly a century before, the new arena first filled to full capacity in 2014 for the return of Champions League football to Bilbao after 16 years. Bilbao's flagship club Athletic duly qualified for Europe four seasons running, then twice missed out as cup runners-up. Los Leones can usually be found in the upper half of the league table while still sticking firmly to their policy of fielding Basque-only players – one that their regional rivals, Real Sociedad of San Sebastián, abandoned in the 1980s. Moreover, while once high-achieving clubs buckle under huge debts – Barcelona, Valencia, Málaga – Bilbao seem to thrive.



Getting Around
Arriving in town, local transport and timings


Where to Drink
The best pubs and bars for football fans












Where to stay
The best hotels for the stadium and city centre













Teams, tales and tips – a guide to the local game
These are exciting times in Bilbao. Despite not being able to co-host Euro 2020, Spain's most venerable stadium and home of one of its most decorated clubs, the San Mamés, has been awarded the Women's Champions League final in 2024 and the Europa League final the following year. Rebuilt and partially reopened in September 2013, a century after the original stadium was unveiled on the same site exactly a century before, the new arena first filled to full capacity in 2014 for the return of Champions League football to Bilbao after 16 years. Bilbao's flagship club Athletic duly qualified for Europe four seasons running, then twice missed out as cup runners-up. Los Leones can usually be found in the upper half of the league table while still sticking firmly to their policy of fielding Basque-only players – one that their regional rivals, Real Sociedad of San Sebastián, abandoned in the 1980s. Moreover, while once high-achieving clubs buckle under huge debts – Barcelona, Valencia, Málaga – Bilbao seem to thrive.



Getting Around
Arriving in town, local transport and timings


Where to Drink
The best pubs and bars for football fans












Where to stay
The best hotels for the stadium and city centre













Basque hub traditional home of Spanish football

