San Mamés is the best stadium in LaLiga, according to the fans.
San Mamés was voted the best stadium in LaLiga in a survey organized by the newspaper Marca, in which more than 76,000 fans participated. The stadium, designed by IDOM for the Athletic Club, topped the ranking in the three criteria evaluated: aesthetics, atmosphere and stage fright.
This is a recognition not only of the visual and emotional impact of the stadium, but also of its architectural, functional and sustainable design.
An icon of contemporary architecture and local ownership The new San Mamés was designed as a stadium that honors the history of its predecessor, integrates into the urban fabric of Bilbao, and creates a vibrant environment for football and the city. With a capacity of more than 53,000 spectators, the stadium features a translucent backlit façade, a lightweight mixed-metal roof structure, and an enclosed grandstand that maximizes acoustic pressure and visibility.
The stadium, which will host the 2030 World Cup, also achieved UEFA Category 4 status and was the first European football stadium to receive LEED certification for its environmental sustainability.
“San Mames is much more than a stadium. It is an emotive symbol for Bilbao, for Athletic and for its people. Our challenge was to create a space that excites without saying a word.
– César Azcárate, IDOM architect and project manager.
“The field is impressive. It is modern, beautiful, and roars from the moment you enter. Going to San Mamés is a brutal experience as a rival fan”.
– Comment by a fan in Marca.com This recognition is a source of pride for IDOM and also an impulse to continue designing spaces that combine architecture, engineering and collective emotion.
