San Mamés Stadium

Historia

San Mamés Stadium, was a football stadium in Bilbao, Biscay, Spain. The stadium was the home of Athletic Bilbao, known as Los Leones de San Mamés-Bilboko lehoiak (The Lions of San Mamés). They are known as Los Leones because their stadium was built near a church called San Mamés (Saint Mammes). Mammes was an early Christian, according to legend, who was thrown to the lions by the Romans.The club's new stadium, of the same name, was inaugurated on 16 September 2013.HistoryOpened in 1913, it was Spain's oldest built stadium before its demolition a distinction that together with its religious heritage has given rise to the nickname La Catedral .The first match at the stadium in August 1913 was a friendly between Athletic and Racing Club de Irún in a replay of the 1913 FEF Copa del Rey Final, which was the opening game of a triangular tournament also involving Shepherd's Bush F.C. The first goal was scored by the famous striker Pichichi.San Mamés could seat almost forty thousand people and was renowned for the unique and boisterous atmosphere its crowds of devoted and loyal fans would create on match-days.

"San Mamés es el estadio de fútbol en el que juega sus partidos como equipo local el Athletic Club.Con capacidad para 53.331 espectadores, el estadio ha sido premiado como el mejor edificio deportivo del mundo en 2015 en el World Architecture Festival y Venue of the Year 2017 en World Football Summit. En 2018, ‘La Catedral’ acogió las finales de la Challenge Cup y Champions Cup, los torneos de rugby por equipos más importantes de Europa.Además, San Mamés ha sido escogido por la UEFA para formar parte de los 12 estadios que acogerán la Euro 2020. El estadio se ha convertido en un reflejo de la ciudad, la cultura y la gastronomía de Bilbao, Bizkaia y Euskal Herria."