Athletic Bilbao is shining not just on the pitch but also in the stands. San Mamés has confirmed its status as the stadium with the highest attendance rate in La Liga — an impressive 90.75% of seats filled by fans.

Electoral promise met ahead of schedule

The average attendance reached 48,400 per match, adding up to nearly a million fans (919,612) over the season. This ranks fourth in total attendance, behind Real Madrid, Atlético, and Betis — but none of these clubs fill their stadium as consistently as Athletic.

When Jon Uriarte won the 2022 elections, he pledged to raise attendance at San Mamés above 85% before the end of his term. That target was hit well in advance, with numbers steadily climbing — from 43,488 per match in the first season to 48,400 now. That’s more than 2,000 extra fans compared to last year and almost 5,000 more than at the start of the current term.

© Grzegorz Kaliciak 

Many fans still waiting

The team’s success, including a 4th-place finish and Champions League qualification, fueled the surge in interest. The lowest turnout was 46,713, while three matches drew over 50,000 spectators (against Real Madrid, Real Sociedad, and Barcelona).

In La Liga, Athletic’s fans boast the highest loyalty and attendance rate, surpassing even venues like the Bernabéu (89.7%). Over the last decade, attendance at San Mamés has grown from around 40,000 (75.9% capacity) to the current 48,400 — proof of strong fan commitment. Moreover, there are currently about 3,000 people on the waiting list.

© Grzegorz Kaliciak