Buy Athletic Bilbao vs Celta Vigo tickets for the 2026/27 Season, with the La Liga meeting at San Mamés listed for Sunday 21 February 2027 at 18:00 local time (17:00 UK time). La Liga confirms exact kick-off slots around two weeks before each round, and the match can move between Friday and Monday, so treat the Sunday evening listing as the working plan and keep travel bookings flexible until the final time is published.
Thousands trust 1BoxOffice
This fixture has a special place in the history of the ground. When the new San Mamés opened on 16 September 2013, Celta were the first visitors, and Athletic Bilbao came from behind to win 3-2 in front of a crowd of around 33,000 in a stadium that was still being built. Thirteen league meetings later, the hosts have won seven and lost only twice.
A stadium of 53,331 seats, a membership model that puts most tickets in the hands of socios and a Sunday evening slot under the roof all shape what you pay and where you can sit. The sections below cover each part of the decision, from which tier suits you to how delivery and entry work on the day.
Athletic are a club unlike any other in Spanish football. They field players developed in or connected to the Basque Country, they are owned by their members and they have never been relegated from the top flight. That identity gives every home game a strong local pull, and San Mamés regularly draws crowds well above 40,000 for league fixtures that would be quieter elsewhere.
The visitors bring their own story. Celta Vigo finished sixth in La Liga in 2025/26 and are playing in the Europa League this season, while Athletic finished 12th after a campaign that included Champions League football. The roles of recent years have flipped, and Athletic will want to prove the gap was a one-season blip.
The first meeting of 2026/27 has already been played. Athletic won 2-0 at Balaídos on 30 August 2026, so the hosts go into February looking for a league double over a side that finished six places above them last season.
Timing adds another layer. Late February is when the Europa League knockout rounds begin, and any Celta involvement would add midweek games either side of this weekend. For Athletic, a Sunday evening game at home is a fixed point in the Bilbao week, and the bars on Pozas, the street leading up to the ground, fill hours before kick-off.
Finally, the stadium itself draws visitors. San Mamés won Sports Building of the Year at the World Architecture Festival in 2015, and it hosted the 2025 Europa League final. Many fans plan a Basque weekend around a match here, and the lower and middle tiers along the sidelines are usually the first sections to go.
Yes, but the general sale is small. Athletic are owned by their socios, and members hold season tickets for the large majority of seats at San Mamés. Tickets for non-members only reach general sale when the club releases them, usually in limited numbers and close to the match.
Membership itself is not a quick route in. New season tickets are allocated through a waiting list rather than an open sale. For a one-off visit, that system leaves most buyers relying on the seats members cannot use.
Away tickets follow separate rules. Celta's allocation is handled through Celta and sold to their own members first, so supporters travelling from Galicia should look at the away section allocation before anything else.
That is where the marketplace fits in. Buying through 1BoxOffice removes the need to watch for a club release, and every listing explains what the seller needs from you to complete the order. You choose your section, see the full price before you commit and receive your tickets ahead of the match, with every order protected by the guarantee described in the buying steps below. Read the notes carefully, since any conditions set for this fixture apply to everyone entering the stadium.
Five things drive resale prices for this match. Seat location comes first, with the central sidelines of the lower and middle tiers commanding a clear premium. The membership model is the second, since so few seats reach general sale. Timing is the third factor, as prices often firm up once La Liga confirms the kick-off slot. The fourth is the competition context, with Celta's European campaign and Athletic's push to climb the table both adding interest. The fifth is hospitality, where places in the middle tier are limited.
| Ticket Type | Resale Price Range | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper tier ends and corners | £66 – £100 | Fans who want a seat at the lowest price | Sections 301 to 327 behind the goals and in the corners |
| Upper tier sidelines | £80 – £130 | First-time visitors and small groups | A wide view of the whole pitch from the top of the bowl |
| Lower tier ends | £90 – £150 | Fans who want to be close to the noise | Behind the goals in sections 101 to 127, near the home support |
| Lower and middle tier sidelines | £120 – £220+ | Couples and buyers who want a central view | Seats near the halfway line on either long side |
| Hospitality / VIP | £300 – £600+ | Corporate groups and special occasions | Middle-tier premium seats with lounge access and dining |
Prices reflect typical resale ranges and may change as demand and availability shift closer to the match.
Listings for this fixture currently start from around £66, which gives you a useful floor when comparing options. The gap between face value and resale reflects how few tickets Athletic release to the public rather than a higher price set by the club. A fixture against Barcelona or Real Madrid prices well above a game like this, so February against Celta is one of the more affordable ways to see San Mamés full.
Expect movement at two points. The first comes when La Liga confirms the kick-off slot for the round. The second comes in the final week, when members who cannot attend release their seats. Neither guarantees a lower price, but both widen the choice of sections.
San Mamés is a three-tier bowl with every seat under a roof that was extended in 2016 to give better cover from Bilbao's rain. The tiers are easy to read from the section number: the lower tier runs from 101 to 127, the middle tier from 201 to 227 and the upper tier from 301 to 327. Before you choose a block, study the San Mamés seating plan to see how each tier and stand is laid out.
| Area | What It Suits | Pricing Bracket | Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main stand (west) | Buyers who want comfort and a central view | High | The side with the dugouts and the presidential box; central seats sell first |
| East sideline | Buyers who want a side view at a little less | Mid to high | Faces the main stand with a similar angle across the halfway line |
| Middle tier (201 to 227) | Buyers who want premium seats or hospitality | High | Home of the boxes and premium products, with a raised view of the play |
| Gol Norte lower | Fans who want noise and singing | Lower | Home of the organised support and rail seating; expect to stand throughout |
| Gol Sur and upper corners | Value buyers happy with an end view | Lower | Behind the south goal and in the upper corners; the lowest prices in the ground |
| Away section | Celta supporters | Lower | An upper-tier corner, segregated from home areas with its own access |
Neutral buyers and first-time visitors usually get the most from the sidelines of the lower or upper tier, where you see both ends and the full sweep of the bowl. The upper tier is steep, which keeps even the back rows closer to the pitch than you might expect. The full list of matches at San Mamés shows every home date on sale this season if you want to compare fixtures.
Seat choice also depends on who you are travelling with. Families tend to prefer the sidelines or the Gol Sur, away from the standing and flags of the Gol Norte. Celta fans who end up outside the away section should keep club colours low-key in home areas, although Bilbao is known as a friendly city for visiting supporters.
The stadium has grown into its role. It opened with a capacity of 35,686 while the final phase was still under construction, reached its full size for a Champions League play-off against Napoli in August 2014 and set its football attendance record of 52,114 against Rangers in the Europa League in April 2025. Rail seating arrived in part of the north stand in 2019 and was widened into a singing section across the whole lower tier at that end in 2022.
The size of the bowl explains the market. With 53,331 seats it is the largest stadium in the Basque Country and the seventh largest in Spain, yet members hold so much of it that the public sale for an ordinary league game is often small. That is why the resale market matters more here than at many grounds of a similar size.
Hospitality at San Mamés centres on the middle tier along the main stand, where premium seats come with lounge access and catering before and after the match.
| Hospitality Option | Typical Buyer | Main Appeal |
|---|---|---|
| Middle-tier premium seats | Business guests and couples | Padded central seats in the 200 sections with premium services |
| Lounge packages | Small groups | Pre-match food and drinks with a reserved seat near the halfway line |
| Private boxes | Corporate groups | A private space with catering and seats for your own party |
| Celebration packages | Birthdays and special occasions | Dining, drinks and central seats arranged for a group, where available |
Availability varies from match to match, and many premium places are sold on a seasonal basis. When a package appears for this fixture, confirm what is included before you buy: dining format, drinks, seat location, arrival arrangements and which entrance you should use.
Hospitality also solves a practical problem for visitors. A premium ticket means a guaranteed central seat, a calmer arrival and a clear plan for the evening, which takes much of the guesswork out of a first trip to one of the most admired grounds in Spain.
How your tickets reach you depends on the seller's listing. Every listing on 1BoxOffice states the delivery method before you pay, and the table below shows what each one means in practice.
| Delivery Type | What to Confirm |
|---|---|
| Mobile ticket | That the ticket will load on your phone before matchday and which app or wallet it uses |
| Print-at-home ticket | That you can print it clearly and that the barcode is not folded or damaged |
| Account transfer | Which personal details the seller needs and when the transfer will be completed |
| Paper ticket | The courier or collection point in Bilbao, plus the latest date the tickets will arrive |
Read the listing notes in full before you pay, since conditions for this fixture can affect who may enter certain sections. Bring photo ID in case stewards ask for it. If you are using a mobile ticket, charge your phone fully and save the ticket offline.
Getting there is easy. San Mamés metro station, on lines 1 and 2, sits right beside the stadium, and the Euskotren tram also stops nearby. The Termibus coach station is next to the ground too, and the bus from Bilbao Airport ends its route there. From the old town, the walk along the river takes around 30 minutes. Allow at least an hour before kick-off for security screening and the climb to the upper tier.
1BoxOffice has run a verified ticket marketplace since 2006, and every order is backed by a 150% money-back guarantee.
Step1
Find the fixture
Open the listing for the February match at San Mamés and confirm the date, competition and venue shown match your plans.
Step2
Set up your account
Create an account with an email address you use every day, since your order updates and delivery details will go there.
Step3
Choose your section
Filter by tier or price. Athletic fans should look at the Gol Norte or the sidelines; neutral buyers usually prefer the lower or upper sidelines.
Step4
Read the listing notes
Confirm the section, whether seats are together, any details the seller needs and which delivery method they use.
Step5
Select your quantity
Pick the number of tickets you need. If your group must sit together, choose a listing that states the seats are adjacent.
Step6
Review the total
See the full price, including fees, before you commit. Nothing is charged until you confirm.
Step7
Pay securely
Complete payment on the secure payment page and wait for your confirmation email with the order number.
Step8
Follow your order
Use track order to see when your tickets are dispatched and how they will reach you before matchday.
Bilbao Airport sits around 12 kilometres north of the city and has direct flights from the UK, with routes varying by season. The airport bus runs to the Termibus station beside San Mamés, which makes it one of the simplest airport-to-stadium journeys in Spain. Visitors from the Gulf can connect through Madrid, Barcelona or another European hub, while Santander and Vitoria airports are useful alternatives when fares from Bilbao are high.
Celta supporters face a longer trip across the north of Spain. Vigo and Bilbao are roughly 600 kilometres apart, about six hours by road, so many travelling fans fly or make a weekend of it. For overseas buyers, mobile tickets and print-at-home tickets are the most practical delivery options, as there is no risk of a courier missing you while you are travelling. Celta fans who also plan a home game can study the Balaídos seating plan to compare the two grounds.
The main travel risk is the kick-off time. La Liga fixes exact slots around two weeks out, and this game could move within the weekend. Book flexible flights and a hotel with free cancellation, or plan a stay that covers Friday to Monday. February is cool and often wet in Bilbao, but the roof at San Mamés covers the seats, so the weather matters more for the walk than for the match.
Bilbao rewards a longer stay. The Guggenheim museum is around 20 minutes on foot from the stadium along the river, the Casco Viejo is packed with pintxos bars and San Sebastián is about an hour away by road. On matchday, travel to the ground in good time and follow stewards' instructions, since the bars on Pozas and the metro platforms fill quickly before kick-off.
The modern chapter of this fixture began with a building site. Athletic left the old San Mamés in June 2013 after almost a century, and just 102 days later the new stadium opened next door with only part of its seating finished. Celta were the opening opponents on a Monday night in September. The visitors scored the first goal ever seen at the new ground, but Athletic levelled before half-time and went on to win 3-2.
For most of the years since, the hosts have kept control. Athletic were unbeaten in the first seven meetings at the new San Mamés, winning four and drawing three, before Celta won 2-0 in December 2020 and again by the same score in April 2022. Both of those wins came in a short spell when the visitors briefly had the upper hand, and Athletic answered with three straight home wins over Celta.
That pattern of close, open games is what makes the fixture worth watching. Nine of the 13 meetings here were decided by one goal or ended level, and both sides have scored in 11 of them. Celta almost always find the net here, yet they have left with three points only twice.
The wider context has shifted again this season. Athletic lifted the Copa del Rey in 2024, reached the Europa League semi-finals in 2025 and played Champions League football in 2025/26, while Celta's sixth-place finish last season earned them a European campaign of their own. With Athletic already 2-0 winners in Vigo this season, February is a chance for Celta to show that last season's league table was no fluke.
The table below covers every La Liga meeting at the new San Mamés with Athletic as hosts, from September 2013 to May 2026. Earlier meetings at the old San Mamés, which closed in 2013, are a different venue and fall outside this record.
| Metric | Total |
|---|---|
| Matches played | 13 |
| Athletic wins | 7 |
| Celta wins | 2 |
| Draws | 4 |
| Athletic goals | 23 |
| Celta goals | 18 |
| Biggest Athletic win | 3-1 (12 May 2019 and 22 Sep 2024) |
| Biggest Celta win | 0-2 (4 Dec 2020 and 17 Apr 2022) |
| First La Liga meeting in scope | 16 Sep 2013 |
| Most recent meeting in scope | 17 May 2026 |
Source: fussballdaten.de, football-data.co.uk and Spanish league season archives.
A few patterns stand out. Athletic are unbeaten in their last four home meetings with Celta, winning three. No game here has ended goalless, and the average is just over three goals a match. Four of the 13 meetings finished 1-1, the most common scoreline in the fixture at this ground, while Athletic's 2-1 win has come up three times.
All 13 La Liga meetings at the new San Mamés with Athletic at home, newest first. Scores show Athletic first.
| Date | Score |
|---|---|
| 17 May 2026 | 1-1 |
| 22 Sep 2024 | 3-1 |
| 10 Nov 2023 | 4-3 |
| 20 May 2023 | 2-1 |
| 17 Apr 2022 | 0-2 |
| 04 Dec 2020 | 0-2 |
| 19 Jan 2020 | 1-1 |
| 12 May 2019 | 3-1 |
| 31 Mar 2018 | 1-1 |
| 19 Dec 2016 | 2-1 |
| 01 May 2016 | 2-1 |
| 18 Oct 2014 | 1-1 |
| 16 Sep 2013 | 3-2 |
Source: fussballdaten.de, football-data.co.uk and Spanish league season archives; each result confirmed in at least two.
No, but members hold most seats, so the public sale is small and resale is often the most reliable route.
The roof was extended in 2016 and now covers the seating bowl, although the front rows of the lower tier can still catch driving rain.
Visiting supporters are placed in an upper-tier corner, segregated from home areas with their own access.
Take metro line 1 or 2 to San Mamés station, which sits right beside the stadium.
La Liga usually confirms kick-off times around two weeks before each round, and the match may move between Friday and Monday.
Sources: Athletic Club official website (athletic-club.eus) for San Mamés history and stadium facts; LaLiga official website for the 2026/27 fixture calendar; fussballdaten.de, football-data.co.uk and Spanish league season archives for head-to-head records and the 2025/26 final table; stadium guides and municipal transport information for Bilbao.