San Mamés Stadium (1913) Stadium
Historic Bilbao football stadium, original San Mamés (1913)
San Mamés Stadium (1913) served as Athletic Club Bilbao's long-time home, earning the nickname 'La Catedral' among fans; its history draws football supporters interested in Basque sporting culture.
San Mamés Stadium (1913) at a Glance#
Address: Former San Mamés location, Bilbao; new San Mamés stadium and Athletic Club Museum nearby: Av. de José Antonio Aguirre Miramón, 1, 48009 Bilbao, Spain
Website: https://www.athletic-club.eus/
About San Mamés Stadium (1913)#
San Mamés Stadium (1913) was the historic home ground of Athletic Club in Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain, originally opened in 1913. It was a century-old football venue closely associated with the club and local supporters.
The stadium was known for its passionate atmosphere and compact sightlines, with a capacity in the region of 35,000 to 40,000 spectators in later years. It served as the club’s principal match venue for league and cup fixtures throughout the 20th century.
Built and opened in 1913, the stadium hosted Athletic Club and national and regional matches for a hundred years before the club moved to a new nearby San Mamés stadium in 2013 and the old structure was demolished.
The stadium stood in Bilbao within the province of Biscay in Spain’s Basque Country, close to the city centre and transport links.
- Nickname: Known locally as “La Catedral,” the ground of Athletic Club Bilbao carried that nickname reflecting its status and long history before replacement in 2013.
- Opening and replacement: The original stadium opened in 1913 and was replaced by a new San Mamés stadium nearby in 2013; the old ground was subsequently demolished.
How to Get to San Mamés Stadium (1913)#
San Mamés is north of Bilbao city centre and is well served by public transport. Bilbao Metro Line 2 stops at San Mamés station; tram and bus routes also serve the area. From Bilbao Abando station it’s a 20-30 minute walk or a short metro ride.
Tips for Visiting San Mamés Stadium (1913)#
- The old San Mamés of 1913 no longer exists as a functioning stadium-visit the site and the adjacent Athletic Club museum to see artifacts from the original ground.
- The Athletic Club Museum at the new San Mamés (opened 2013) is the best place to learn the historic club's story and to view trophies and memorabilia.
- Walk the surrounding streets in Bilbao's old quarter to feel the neighborhood that supported generations of fans.
Best Time to Visit San Mamés Stadium (1913)#
Visit during the football season for match-day atmosphere; museum visits are good year-round.
Weather & Climate near San Mamés Stadium (1913)#
San Mamés Stadium (1913)'s climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 5°C to 26°C. Abundant rainfall (1178 mm/year), wettest in November.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 5° - 13° | 7° | 122 mm | overcast | 80% | 3.3 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.2h |
| February | Acceptable | 5° - 14° | 8° | 96 mm | overcast | 78% | 3.4 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.3h |
| March | Good | 6° - 16° | 11° | 96 mm | overcast | 78% | 3.4 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Acceptable | 7° - 17° | 12° | 129 mm | overcast | 79% | 3.6 m/s | 1.1 high | 13.3h |
| May | Good | 10° - 20° | 15° | 90 mm | overcast | 79% | 3.2 m/s | 1.4 high | 14.5h |
| June | Very Good | 13° - 23° | 18° | 69 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 3.0 m/s | 1.7 very high | 15.2h |
| July | Very Good | 15° - 25° | 20° | 58 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 2.9 m/s | 1.7 very high | 14.9h |
| August | Very Good | 16° - 26° | 21° | 86 mm | partly cloudy | 73% | 2.6 m/s | 1.5 high | 13.8h |
| September | Very Good | 14° - 25° | 19° | 72 mm | partly cloudy | 72% | 2.6 m/s | 1.1 high | 12.4h |
| October | Good | 11° - 21° | 16° | 120 mm | partly cloudy | 73% | 3.0 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.9h |
| November | Acceptable | 8° - 16° | 12° | 131 mm | overcast | 77% | 3.1 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.5h |
| December | Acceptable | 6° - 14° | 10° | 109 mm | overcast | 79% | 3.4 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.8h |
