Buy Athletic Bilbao vs Levante tickets for the 2026/27 Season, with the match scheduled for the weekend of Sunday 24 January 2027 at San Mames; LaLiga confirms the exact day and kick-off time a few weeks before matchday. It is matchday 21 of La Liga, early in the second half of the season. A ground of more than 53,000 hosts a fixture with a strange and specific history, because Levante were the last visitors ever to play a competitive game at the old San Mames.
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That old ground is gone, but the rivalry it closed has carried on next door. Athletic Bilbao have dominated the fixture at the new stadium, winning eight of nine La Liga meetings since it opened in 2013. Levante's only success came in April 2018, and Athletic have won the last five meetings in a row.
For buyers, this is one of the more accessible ways to experience San Mames at full voice. It is not a derby and it is not a Barcelona or Real Madrid visit, which means seats are easier to find and prices sit well below the season's headline games, yet the atmosphere of La Catedral is the same every week.
Athletic Club are unlike any other side in Spain's top flight. The club fields players born or raised in the Basque Country, a policy that has lasted more than a century and turns every home game into a statement of identity. That connection between team and city is what fills San Mames, whatever the opposition.
Levante bring their own story. The Valencia club returned to La Liga in 2025 after winning promotion from the Segunda Division, stayed up in their first season back and are building again in the top flight. Their travelling support is small but loyal, and the trip north to the Basque Country is one of the longest on their calendar.
Distance shapes the away end. Valencia is roughly 600 kilometres from Bilbao, so the Levante contingent is usually made up of committed travellers and supporters living in the north. That leaves the rest of San Mames to the home crowd, which gives neutral visitors the full Athletic experience.
The fixture list gives this game extra interest. The first meeting of the season in Valencia was scheduled for 16 September but postponed because of poor weather conditions and moved to 21 October. By late January, both clubs will know exactly what the second half of the season requires of them.
San Mames itself is a draw. The new stadium opened in 2013 beside the site of the old ground, holds more than 53,000 and hosted the Europa League final in May 2025. Athletic also lifted the Copa del Rey in 2024 for the first time since 1984. That success has kept the ground full and loud ever since.
The stadium's nickname, La Catedral, passed from the old ground to the new one, and so did its reputation. San Mames crowds are known for knowledgeable and generous support, while the singing section behind the goal keeps the noise going for 90 minutes whoever the opponent is.
January is also a good month for a city break in Bilbao. The Guggenheim Museum, the old town and the pintxo bars are all within easy reach of the stadium, and many visitors build a weekend around a Sunday match.
Yes. Athletic sell tickets to non-members for most league games, but the process favours the club's own supporters. Socios, the club's members and season ticket holders, fill most of the stadium, and they receive exclusive windows to buy extra seats before anyone else, usually up to two tickets each.
Members of Club Athletic, the club's supporter programme, also get pre-sale access before tickets go on general sale. General sale typically opens around two weeks before the match, and for high-demand games buyers can face a virtual queue on the club's website.
Prices through the club vary by opponent and location, ranging from around €30 to €240 per seat. For some lower-demand games Athletic have dropped prices to €30 in selected areas to fill the ground, which shows how much the club values a full San Mames.
Levante supporters buy through their own club. The visiting allocation is passed to Levante, who distribute it to their members and regular travellers, and fans outside that group have little chance of an away seat. Many buy in neutral areas instead and follow home-section rules.
Virtual queues are rare for a fixture like this, but the club uses them for high-demand games, and the limit of two tickets per member means groups often struggle to sit together. Resale solves that by offering blocks of adjacent seats from the start.
The catch is timing and choice. By the time general sale opens, many of the better central seats are already taken by socios and their guests. A verified resale marketplace lets you secure specific seats weeks earlier, with listings from sellers who already hold valid tickets and buyer protection on every order.
Five factors drive resale prices for this match: seat location, overall demand, how close to the fixture you buy, what is at stake in the 2026/27 table by late January and whether you want hospitality. Because this is not a headline fixture, resale prices here are among the more affordable at San Mames this season.
| Ticket Type | Resale Price Range | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper tier ends (North and South) | £45 – £75 | Budget-conscious buyers | Steep and elevated with a full view of the pitch |
| Side stand standard | £65 – £110 | Pairs and neutrals | Balanced views and atmosphere along the touchline |
| Lower tier central | £90 – £150+ | Buyers who want to be close to the action | Gentle rake near the halfway line |
| Main Stand premium | £130 – £200+ | Tactical view and comfort | Central sightlines near the dugouts |
| Hospitality / VIP | £200 – £450+ | Corporate guests and occasions | VIP seats, SkyBox and premium experiences |
Prices reflect typical resale ranges and may change as demand and availability shift closer to the match.
The club's own pricing tells you how demand moves. Athletic cut prices to €30 in several areas for three of their final home games of 2025/26 to fill the ground, which shows that the most affordable fixtures can soften at club level. Resale follows a similar pattern, rising for big names and easing for games like this one.
The kick-off slot will move this market. LaLiga confirms exact times only a few weeks ahead, and a Sunday evening slot tends to draw more local demand than a Friday or Monday game. If Athletic are pushing for Europe by late January, expect prices to firm up in the final fortnight.
Timing your purchase makes a difference. Resale supply tends to be widest in the weeks before general sale opens, when socios and members list seats they cannot use. Once the club's own sale begins, the most affordable listings go quickly.
Group size matters too. Pairs find better-value seats easily, while groups of four or more should buy early to keep seats together, particularly in the lower tier and the Main Stand.
For context, the same seats cost far more when Real Madrid, Barcelona or Real Sociedad visit. That gap is what makes a game like this such a strong entry point for a first visit to San Mames.
San Mames has four stands split into three tiers. The lower tier sits close to the pitch with a gentle rake, the middle tier holds executive boxes and lounges, and the upper tier is steep with an elevated view. At night the exterior lights up and can be seen across the city. Before choosing, study the San Mames seating plan to see how the blocks sit.
| Area | What It Suits | Pricing Bracket | Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singing section (lower tier behind the goal) | Home fans who want to stand and sing | Lower to mid | Safe-standing area of around 4,000 places; Athletic colours only |
| Main Stand | Buyers who want a premium central view | Upper | Near the dugouts and premium areas |
| Side stands | Neutrals and pairs | Mid | Balanced views with plenty of atmosphere |
| North and South upper tiers | Budget buyers and groups | Lower | Steep, elevated and loud; often the first areas discounted |
| Away section (south-east corner) | Levante supporters | Set by the visiting club | Separated from the home support; Levante colours only |
| Accessible positions | Wheelchair users and companions | Varies | Up to four tickets per request, in areas with barrier-free access |
The three-tier design gives every section a clear view. The upper tiers behind the goals are steep, which keeps even the highest seats close to the play, while the lower tier puts you almost level with the players. The middle tier is reserved for boxes and lounges, so general admission buyers choose between lower and upper.
Neutral buyers should choose the side stands or the Main Stand and avoid wearing Levante colours in home areas. If you want to compare availability across the ground, check tickets at San Mames before committing to a block.
The ground is fully covered, so January weather in Bilbao is less of a factor than at many Spanish stadiums. The lower tier is closest to the noise from the singing section, while the upper tier gives a clearer view of tactics and shape.
Athletic offer a well-developed hospitality programme in the middle tier, with executive boxes, lounges and VIP seating. The club promotes gourmet Basque food as part of its premium offer, which is a genuine highlight in a city known for its cuisine.
| Hospitality Option | Typical Buyer | Main Appeal |
|---|---|---|
| VIP tickets | Couples and small groups | Basque catering with preferential seating |
| SkyBox | Companies hosting clients | A private box in the middle tier |
| The Lion Experience | Special occasions and first-time visitors | A premium matchday package built around the club's identity |
| VIP Area season pass | Regular corporate guests | Premium access across the season |
Hospitality also suits mixed groups. Guests who are not football fans still enjoy the food, the views across the bowl from the middle tier and the chance to see a full San Mames from a comfortable seat, which makes it a popular choice for business entertaining in Bilbao.
Because this is not a headline fixture, hospitality is usually easier to secure than for the visits of Spain's biggest clubs. It is a sensible game for a first premium experience at San Mames.
Arrive early to make the most of a package. Pre-match dining is at the heart of the premium offer, and a relaxed meal before kick-off is one of the pleasures of a Bilbao matchday. Smart casual clothing is the safe choice for most hospitality areas.
If you buy hospitality on the resale market, check the named package, the food and drink included and the arrival time. Descriptions vary, and the listing notes are where the detail lives.
Athletic issue digital tickets by email after purchase, and fans can show them on a phone at the gate without printing. On the resale market, the delivery method attached to each listing tells you how and when your seats will arrive.
| Delivery Type | What to Check |
|---|---|
| Mobile tickets | Which app or email account the tickets arrive in and when |
| E-tickets (PDF) | Whether you need to print them and how barcodes are issued |
| Socio seat transfer | Whether a member's seat is transferred to you for the match and by what deadline |
| Local collection | The meeting point near the stadium, the time window and the contact name |
Read the listing notes before you pay, bring valid photo ID in case of checks and charge your phone fully for mobile entry. Open live tickets in their app rather than relying on screenshots.
Getting there is easy. San Mames has its own metro station on the edge of the stadium, and the ground is a walk of around 20 minutes from the city centre along the river. Bilbao airport is roughly 20 minutes away by road, with regular buses into town.
After the final whistle, the metro runs extra services from San Mames station, but queues can be long in the first half hour. Walking back towards the old town along the river is often quicker and a pleasant way to end the evening.
Arrive early to enjoy the build-up. The streets around the stadium, especially Pozas street, fill with fans in the bars before kick-off, and the pre-match atmosphere is part of what makes a Bilbao matchday special.
Gates typically open well before kick-off, and queues build in the final half hour. Keep bags small, as security checks at the turnstiles can slow entry on busy days.
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Step1
Find the fixture
Search for Athletic against Levante and open the listing for January 2027 to see every available seat.
Step2
Set up your account
Create an account in a couple of minutes so checkout is quick when the right seats appear.
Step3
Filter by stand
Narrow the listings by tier and stand and set the number of seats you need.
Step4
Compare the options
Weigh price against view, tier and whether seats are sold together.
Step5
Read the listing notes
Check the delivery method and any rules on which supporters can sit in that area.
Step6
Complete checkout
Pay securely and enter attendee details exactly as they appear on each person's photo ID.
Step7
Watch for confirmation
Look out for your order confirmation email and keep it until the tickets arrive.
Step8
Follow your order
Use track order to follow delivery progress right up to matchday.
If you want the fiercest atmosphere of the season, compare prices with Athletic Bilbao vs Real Sociedad, the Basque derby, which sits in a much higher price bracket than this game.
Bilbao airport has direct flights from London and many other European cities, and the bus into the centre takes around 20 minutes. Visitors can also fly into Madrid and take a domestic connection, or travel from San Sebastian or Biarritz by road.
Bilbao rewards a longer stay. The Guggenheim Museum sits a short walk along the river from San Mames, the Casco Viejo is packed with pintxo bars and San Sebastian is roughly an hour and a quarter away by bus. A Sunday match fits neatly into a weekend of food, football and architecture.
Buyers in the Gulf and wider MENA region should note that Spain is three hours behind the UAE in January. Connections through Madrid, Barcelona or other European hubs make a long weekend in Bilbao straightforward to plan.
Pack for the weather. Bilbao in January is usually mild but damp, with frequent rain, so a waterproof layer is useful for the walk to and from the ground even though the stands are covered.
Ordering from abroad is simplest with mobile or e-ticket delivery, so nothing depends on the post. Groups should request seats together at checkout and buy in one order. LaLiga can move matches within the weekend once broadcast picks are made, so avoid non-refundable travel with tight connections.
Travelling Levante supporters should know that the away allocation is handled through their own club. Anyone sitting in a home area should follow home-section rules: no Levante colours, flags or songs.
This fixture has an unusual place in San Mames history. On 26 May 2013, Levante won 1-0 in the final competitive match ever played at the old ground, spoiling the farewell of a stadium that had stood since 1913. Six months later, the sides met again in the new San Mames and Athletic won 2-1, the first of eight home league victories over Levante at the new stadium.
Levante's only win at the new ground came in April 2018, a 3-1 result that remains the one blemish on Athletic's record in this fixture since 2013. Athletic have won every meeting since, including a 4-2 win in February 2026 that was the highest-scoring game between the sides at the new stadium.
The gaps in the record follow Levante's own path. The club spent three seasons in La Liga from 2013, returned for five more from 2017 and came back again in 2025 after time in the Segunda Division. Each return has brought them back to a San Mames where Athletic have usually been in control.
The goals tell the story too. Athletic have scored at least twice in eight of their nine home league games against Levante at the new stadium, averaging more than two goals a game. The only exception was the 2018 defeat, when Levante's 3-1 win ended a run of three straight home wins for Athletic in the fixture.
What makes the fixture distinctive is the contrast between record and reputation. On paper it looks one-sided, but Levante have scored in six of the nine meetings here and rarely go quietly. That tends to produce open, entertaining games.
These figures cover every La Liga meeting at the current San Mames, opened in 2013, with Athletic as hosts.
| Metric | Total |
|---|---|
| Matches played | 9 |
| Athletic wins | 8 |
| Levante wins | 1 |
| Draws | 0 |
| Athletic goals | 22 |
| Levante goals | 10 |
| Biggest Athletic win | 3-0 (2014) |
| Biggest Levante win | 1-3 (2018) |
| First La Liga meeting in scope | 9 Nov 2013 |
| Most recent meeting in scope | 8 Feb 2026 |
Source: Athletic Club match statistics, cross-checked against La Liga season records and match reports.
Read the numbers in context and the pattern is consistent. Athletic have been hard to beat at home in this fixture across every era of the new stadium, while Levante's goals show they rarely come to Bilbao simply to defend. For a buyer, that points to a lively game with goals at both ends.
Every La Liga game between the sides at the current stadium, newest first. Scores show Athletic first.
| Date | Score |
|---|---|
| 08 Feb 2026 | 4-2 |
| 07 Mar 2022 | 3-1 |
| 18 Oct 2020 | 2-0 |
| 10 Nov 2019 | 2-1 |
| 03 Apr 2019 | 3-2 |
| 23 Apr 2018 | 1-3 |
| 20 Dec 2015 | 2-0 |
| 30 Aug 2014 | 3-0 |
| 09 Nov 2013 | 2-1 |
Source: Athletic Club match archive, verified against La Liga season records and ESPN match reports.
General sale usually opens around two weeks before the match, after socios and Club Athletic members have had their windows. Resale listings are available earlier.
Visiting supporters are placed in the south-east corner, separated from the home fans. Levante supporters in home areas should leave their colours behind.
Yes, the roof covers the stands, so rain is rarely a problem. Front rows of the lower tier can still catch wind-blown drizzle.
The club museum and guided tours run on most days, with limited access around kick-off. Book a slot for the day before the match to keep matchday free.
Take the metro to San Mames station, which sits right beside the ground. From the old town it is a short ride or a pleasant riverside walk.
Sources: LaLiga official 2026/27 fixture calendar, Athletic Club official website, ticketing pages and match statistics, Levante UD official website, La Liga season records and ESPN match reports.