San Mamés Stadium, Football stadium in Bilbao, Spain
San Mamés is an association football venue in Bilbao, Spain, known for its white facade and a system of colored lighting that animates the exterior after dark. The structure seats more than 53,000 spectators and stands around a rectangular pitch measuring 105 by 68 meters (344 by 223 feet), surrounded by multiple tiers.
The current venue opened in September 2013, replacing a nearly century-old structure on the same site. Construction unfolded in phases so Athletic Club could continue playing here while the work progressed.
The name honors a third-century Christian saint whose feast day Athletic Bilbao traditionally marks with special attention. Around the venue, bars and shops display the club's red and white colors, and on match days many residents wear jerseys or scarves as they walk toward the entrance.
Two metro lines link the venue to the city center, making a visit manageable without a car. Restaurants and cafes nearby offer places to eat before or after a match.
Part of the roof was completed after the opening and now protects roughly seventy percent of the seats from rain. This later addition was intended to address Bilbao's often wet weather.
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