San Mames, Bilbao, Spain
San Mames, affectionately known as La Catedral, preserves the spirit of the original stadium (1913–2013), honoring over a century of Athletic Club de Bilbao’s history. The new version opened in phases—the initial opening in September 2013 and full completion by August 2014—constructed right next to the old site to maintain continuity. Architectural firm IDOM, led by César Azcarate, gave rise to a masterpiece featuring sculptural ETFE panels that light up at night through programmable LEDs, wrapping the venue in dazzling displays. With a capacity of approximately 53,330 seats, its steeply raked stands foster an electrifying closeness to the pitch. The stadium plays host to top-tier rugby finals, high-profile concerts, cultural events, and even future World Cup matches (2030), reinforcing its status as a cultural anchor in Bilbao.