Buy Athletic Bilbao vs Racing Santander tickets for the 2026/27 Season, with the La Liga meeting scheduled for Sunday 4 April 2027 and currently listed for a 17:00 local kick-off (16:00 UK time) at San Mamés. It is Matchday 30 of the campaign. Two founding members of La Liga meet in the top flight for the first time since April 2012. Racing have never played a league game at the new San Mamés.
Thousands trust 1BoxOffice
The stadium holds more than 53,000 and opened in 2013 on a site beside the old ground known as La Catedral. Athletic's members fill most of it every week, so the seats that reach general sale are limited even for fixtures outside the Basque derby and the visits of Madrid and Barcelona. Supporters who follow Athletic Bilbao know a spring Sunday at home rarely leaves gaps in the stands.
LaLiga confirms exact kick-off slots a few weeks before each matchday, so the date and time above may move within the same weekend. Seats bought now remain valid for the final slot, which is why travelling buyers tend to commit early and keep plans flexible.
Racing spent 14 seasons outside the top flight after relegation in 2012, including spells in the third tier and a period of financial crisis. They came back as Segunda champions in 2025/26. A first visit to Bilbao since that return gives this fixture a weight that goes beyond the table.
Racing Santander also bring geography with them. Santander sits around 100 kilometres west of Bilbao along the A-8 motorway, a drive of roughly an hour and a quarter, which makes this one of the shortest away trips Racing will make all season. Racing's support carried the club through its years in the lower divisions. A trip this close to home is unlikely to leave the allocation unsold.
The away section is a small share of the ground, so many Racing supporters who miss out will look for neutral seats elsewhere. That adds pressure on the upper tiers and the Preferencia, where visitors from Cantabria sit alongside tourists and neutral buyers in the weeks before kick-off.
Athletic's own demand is steady rather than seasonal. Members hold their seats season after season and the club is playing a domestic-only programme this year, so every home league date carries extra weight for the regulars. A Sunday afternoon slot in April also suits families and day visitors, which broadens the demand further.
Within the home calendar, this match sits below the Basque derby with Real Sociedad and the visits of Real Madrid and Barcelona. That leaves realistic choice for buyers who move a few weeks out, though a near-neighbour returning after 14 years is not a fixture where good seats linger.
Yes, but the club route is narrow. Athletic run a member system in which seats are held indefinitely, renewals are close to universal and the waiting list for a season seat is long. Only the seats left after members have taken theirs reach the general public.
Those remaining seats are released in a general sale a short time before each match. For fixtures with strong regional pull, that window can close quickly, which is too late for overseas visitors who need to book flights and hotels weeks in advance.
Racing supporters follow a separate route. The visiting allocation is distributed through Racing's own channels, with priority for their members, so a Racing fan without a membership has little chance of a place in the away section. A neutral seat in the Preferencia is the realistic alternative, as long as green and white stays out of sight in the home areas.
The resale marketplace removes those hurdles. You pick a seat from listings by verified sellers, while the listing notes explain how the ticket will reach you. For anyone without an Athletic membership, it is the most direct route into the ground.
Five things set the price of a seat for this match: where you sit in the ground, overall demand, how far ahead you buy, the timing in early April and whether you add hospitality. Current listings start from around £70, which puts this fixture in an accessible band compared with the derby and the big-club visits, though central Tribuna seats still carry a clear premium.
| Ticket Type | Resale Price Range | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper tier ends | £70 – £110 | Budget-conscious fans | Steep upper tier behind the goals with a full view of the pitch |
| Preferencia (longside standard) | £85 – £140 | First-time visitors | Side-on view opposite the main stand |
| Lower tier / central | £110 – £190 | Couples and small groups | Close to the pitch along either touchline |
| Tribuna (premium seating) | £150 – £280+ | Fans wanting the classic view | Main stand at the halfway line near the dugouts |
| Hospitality / VIP | £300 – £650+ | Business guests and occasions | Lounge access with premium seating |
Prices reflect typical resale ranges and may change as demand and availability shift closer to the match.
Most movement comes once the league fixes the slot. If the game stays on a Sunday afternoon, demand from day-trippers in Cantabria and the rest of the Basque Country tends to firm up prices in the final fortnight. A move to an evening slot can soften them slightly as some sellers release seats they can no longer use.
The lower tier of the south end needs a word of caution for first-time buyers. It is home to Athletic's organised support, standing and singing run throughout and the experience is about atmosphere rather than a relaxed view of the game.
Buying early helps groups in particular. Seats that reach resale are spread across the ground, so the earlier you look the more likely you are to find adjacent seats in your preferred stand rather than settling for singles.
San Mamés is a steep, enclosed bowl on the bank of the Nervión, with a roof that covers the stands and keeps the noise in. The Tribuna runs along the main side with the dugouts and the tunnel, the Preferencia faces it, while the north and south ends sit behind each goal. Three tiers on every side bring even the upper rows closer to the pitch than at most stadiums of this size.
| Area | What It Suits | Pricing Bracket | Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tribuna (central) | The classic halfway-line view | Premium | Main stand with the benches, tunnel and premium seating |
| Tribuna (outer blocks) | Strong view at a lower price | Upper middle | Good angle without the central premium; pairs go quickly |
| Preferencia | Full-length view of the pitch | Mid | Opposite the main stand; the natural pick for neutral buyers |
| South end, lower tier | Atmosphere and the home support | Entry level | Athletic's singing section; flags, chanting and standing all match |
| North end and upper tiers | A lower-priced end view | Entry level | Calmer than the south with a steep, clear view of the whole pitch |
| Away section | Racing supporters only | Entry level | Entered through gate 20; sold through Racing; visiting colours only here |
Neutral buyers should aim for the Preferencia or the outer Tribuna blocks, where the view is good and the atmosphere lively without the intensity of the south end. Keep Racing green and white out of the home areas; Athletic red and white belongs everywhere except the away section.
The upper tiers are steep, which suits anyone who wants to follow team shape and movement. Lower rows put you close enough to hear the players, though the view of the far side flattens the nearer you sit to the touchline.
Before you buy, the San Mamés seating plan shows how the stands and tiers are laid out, which helps when a listing names a sector rather than a stand. It also shows which side of the ground each entrance serves.
For a wider view of every fixture at the ground, the San Mamés stadium listings set this match against the rest of the Athletic home calendar. Comparing them is a quick way to see whether April offers better value than one of the headline dates.
Premium seating at San Mamés sits mainly in the Tribuna, where lounges and central premium seats look down on the halfway line. Packages typically pair a central seat with pre-match dining and access to an indoor lounge.
| Hospitality Option | Typical Buyer | Main Appeal |
|---|---|---|
| Premium Tribuna seat | Fans wanting the prime view | Central seating close to the dugouts |
| Lounge dining package | Couples and celebration days | Food and drink with a premium seat |
| Private box | Corporate groups and families | Exclusive space with a direct pitch view |
| Group hospitality | Supporter clubs and work teams | Seats together with catering in one booking |
Packages differ from listing to listing, so read what is included: catering service, lounge opening times and whether your seat sits inside or outside the hospitality area. Smart casual is a safe choice for the lounges.
For a Sunday afternoon game, hospitality also solves the lunch question. Lounges typically open well before kick-off, so you can eat at the stadium rather than queueing for a table in the pintxos bars of the old town.
For groups, it can be the simplest way to sit together. Corporate inventory is sold separately from general seating, so a party of four or six can sometimes find adjacent places in hospitality when the rest of the Tribuna has only scattered singles left.
The listing notes on each ticket explain the format, the timing and any holder details, so read them before you pay. Delivery timing for Spanish fixtures depends on when the club releases tickets to holders.
| Delivery Type | What to Confirm |
|---|---|
| E-ticket (PDF) | The date the file will be sent and whether it needs printing |
| Mobile ticket | Which app or account receives the transfer and that your phone supports it |
| Paper ticket | The postal deadline and an address where someone can sign for it |
| Collection | The exact pick-up point, time window and ID needed to collect |
Many tickets for Spanish fixtures arrive in the final days before the match. That is normal and covered by the order guarantee. Carry a passport or national identity card. Charge your phone fully if you are using a mobile ticket.
Enter each attendee's details exactly as they appear on their ID when you order. A mismatch is an avoidable cause of delay at the turnstiles, so take a moment to confirm the spelling before you pay.
The stadium has its own transport hub. San Mamés station serves Metro lines 1 and 2, the tram and Cercanías commuter lines C1 and C2, while the Termibus regional bus station sits across the road. Aim to arrive an hour before kick-off, since bag searches slow entry when the ground is full.
1BoxOffice has run a verified marketplace since 2006 and every order carries a 150% money-back guarantee, so here is how to go from search to seat.
Step1
Find the fixture
Open the listing for San Mamés on 4 April 2027 and see what is available across the ground.
Step2
Set up your account
You can create an account in a couple of minutes, which keeps your order history and ticket details in one place.
Step3
Choose your sector
Filter by area. Pick the Tribuna for the classic view, the Preferencia for value or the south end for atmosphere.
Step4
Read the listing notes
Each listing explains the delivery format, the release timing and whether seats are together.
Step5
Select your quantity
Choose how many seats you need. Listings marked as seats together keep your group side by side.
Step6
Add attendee details
Enter each attendee's name exactly as it appears on their photo ID, so the order matches the people at the turnstile.
Step7
Pay securely
Complete payment on the encrypted payment page. An order confirmation arrives by email straight away.
Step8
Follow your order
Use track order to follow delivery status right up to matchday.
Bilbao airport sits around 12 kilometres north of the city, with direct flights from London and other European cities. The airport bus runs to the Termibus station, directly across the road from San Mamés, so you can step off the coach almost at the turnstiles. Choose e-ticket or mobile delivery if you are staying in a hotel, so nothing depends on a postal address.
Early April is a comfortable time to visit the Basque Country, with mild days and the Guggenheim a 25-minute walk from the stadium along the river. The Casco Viejo holds most of the pintxos bars, which makes the old town the natural base for a weekend.
Groups should filter for seats together and confirm the listing before paying, particularly in the Tribuna where pairs go first. Remember that La Liga slots are fixed only a few weeks ahead, so book flexible flights and hotels until the date and time are confirmed.
After a Sunday afternoon kick-off, the metro back to the centre is busy for the first half hour. Many visitors walk back along the river towards Abando and the old town, which takes around 25 minutes and is often as quick as waiting for a train.
Athletic and Racing were both among the ten founding members of La Liga in 1929. They met in that very first season. Athletic remain one of only three clubs never to have been relegated from the top flight, while Racing have spent long periods away. That imbalance shows in the numbers, though the early decades produced some of the wildest scores in the history of the competition.
Racing's record in Bilbao has always been difficult. Athletic won 33 of the 45 La Liga meetings at the old San Mamés, losing only five. El Sardinero has been far more even, which is why the Cantabrians treat a draw in Bilbao as a good afternoon and a win as a story to retell.
The modern era kept up the habit of goals. Athletic won 4-3 at home in both 1998 and 2010, while Racing's 5-4 win in 2007 came in the middle of a decade when the Cantabrians were a settled top-flight side. Those games explain why supporters of both clubs expect an open match rather than a cautious one.
What makes this fixture distinctive is the timing. A rivalry between two of La Liga's original clubs returns after 14 years, at a stadium Racing have never visited for a league game, a short drive from home. For a buyer, that combination of history, proximity and novelty is rare.
There has been no La Liga meeting at the new San Mamés, so the figures below cover all La Liga meetings between the sides at every venue, including the old San Mamés and El Sardinero.
| Metric | Total |
|---|---|
| Matches played | 90 |
| Athletic wins | 49 |
| Racing wins | 23 |
| Draws | 18 |
| Athletic goals | 177 |
| Racing goals | 111 |
| Biggest Athletic win | 7-1 (22 February 1931) |
| Biggest Racing win | 6-0 (30 December 1934) |
| First La Liga meeting in scope | 24 February 1929 |
| Most recent meeting in scope | 22 April 2012 |
Source: Transfermarkt match records, cross-referenced with Fussballdaten and Weltfussball.
Those 90 games average more than three goals each. The split by venue is stark: Racing have won 18 of their 45 home meetings but only five of the 45 played in Bilbao.
The last La Liga meeting in Bilbao, in December 2011, finished 1-1. Racing have not won a league game there since November 2003, a run that sets the tone for their first visit to the new stadium.
All La Liga meetings between Athletic and Racing at every venue, newest first. Both clubs' home games before 2013 were played at the old San Mamés and El Sardinero.
| Date | Score | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 22 Apr 2012 | Racing 0-1 Athletic | El Sardinero |
| 11 Dec 2011 | Athletic 1-1 Racing | San Mamés (old) |
| 21 May 2011 | Racing 1-2 Athletic | El Sardinero |
| 15 Jan 2011 | Athletic 2-1 Racing | San Mamés (old) |
| 29 Mar 2010 | Athletic 4-3 Racing | San Mamés (old) |
| 8 Nov 2009 | Racing 0-2 Athletic | El Sardinero |
| 26 Apr 2009 | Athletic 2-1 Racing | San Mamés (old) |
| 7 Dec 2008 | Racing 1-1 Athletic | El Sardinero |
| 11 May 2008 | Athletic 0-0 Racing | San Mamés (old) |
| 6 Jan 2008 | Racing 1-0 Athletic | El Sardinero |
| 1 Apr 2007 | Racing 5-4 Athletic | El Sardinero |
| 5 Nov 2006 | Athletic 0-0 Racing | San Mamés (old) |
| 19 Feb 2006 | Racing 0-1 Athletic | El Sardinero |
| 25 Sep 2005 | Athletic 0-0 Racing | San Mamés (old) |
| 17 Apr 2005 | Racing 0-2 Athletic | El Sardinero |
| 27 Nov 2004 | Athletic 3-0 Racing | San Mamés (old) |
| 11 Apr 2004 | Racing 1-2 Athletic | El Sardinero |
| 30 Nov 2003 | Athletic 1-2 Racing | San Mamés (old) |
| 24 May 2003 | Athletic 2-1 Racing | San Mamés (old) |
| 4 Jan 2003 | Racing 3-4 Athletic | El Sardinero |
| 16 Jun 2001 | Racing 3-0 Athletic | El Sardinero |
| 21 Jan 2001 | Athletic 3-1 Racing | San Mamés (old) |
| 7 May 2000 | Athletic 2-2 Racing | San Mamés (old) |
| 22 Dec 1999 | Racing 2-2 Athletic | El Sardinero |
| 7 Feb 1999 | Racing 2-0 Athletic | El Sardinero |
| 12 Sep 1998 | Athletic 2-0 Racing | San Mamés (old) |
| 29 Mar 1998 | Athletic 4-3 Racing | San Mamés (old) |
| 16 Nov 1997 | Racing 0-0 Athletic | El Sardinero |
| 23 Feb 1997 | Athletic 2-2 Racing | San Mamés (old) |
| 28 Sep 1996 | Racing 1-2 Athletic | El Sardinero |
| 21 Jan 1996 | Racing 1-1 Athletic | El Sardinero |
| 3 Sep 1995 | Athletic 4-0 Racing | San Mamés (old) |
| 9 Apr 1995 | Athletic 2-0 Racing | San Mamés (old) |
| 31 Oct 1994 | Racing 0-2 Athletic | El Sardinero |
| 1 May 1994 | Racing 2-2 Athletic | El Sardinero |
| 2 Jan 1994 | Athletic 1-2 Racing | San Mamés (old) |
| 30 May 1987 | Racing 2-0 Athletic | El Sardinero |
| 19 Apr 1987 | Athletic 3-1 Racing | San Mamés (old) |
| 25 Jan 1987 | Athletic 1-2 Racing | San Mamés (old) |
| 5 Oct 1986 | Racing 2-1 Athletic | El Sardinero |
| 5 Apr 1986 | Racing 0-0 Athletic | El Sardinero |
| 7 Dec 1985 | Athletic 3-0 Racing | San Mamés (old) |
| 20 Jan 1985 | Racing 1-0 Athletic | El Sardinero |
| 23 Sep 1984 | Athletic 1-0 Racing | San Mamés (old) |
| 6 Mar 1983 | Racing 0-2 Athletic | El Sardinero |
| 7 Nov 1982 | Athletic 2-0 Racing | San Mamés (old) |
| 18 Apr 1982 | Athletic 4-1 Racing | San Mamés (old) |
| 20 Dec 1981 | Racing 1-3 Athletic | El Sardinero |
| 11 Feb 1979 | Racing 1-1 Athletic | El Sardinero |
| 17 Sep 1978 | Athletic 4-1 Racing | San Mamés (old) |
| 19 Mar 1978 | Racing 1-0 Athletic | El Sardinero |
| 6 Nov 1977 | Athletic 3-0 Racing | San Mamés (old) |
| 16 Jan 1977 | Racing 1-1 Athletic | El Sardinero |
| 4 Sep 1976 | Athletic 1-0 Racing | San Mamés (old) |
| 22 Feb 1976 | Athletic 1-0 Racing | San Mamés (old) |
| 19 Oct 1975 | Racing 1-1 Athletic | El Sardinero |
| 12 May 1974 | Racing 2-2 Athletic | El Sardinero |
| 6 Jan 1974 | Athletic 3-1 Racing | San Mamés (old) |
| 17 Dec 1961 | Racing 2-0 Athletic | El Sardinero |
| 3 Sep 1961 | Athletic 0-1 Racing | San Mamés (old) |
| 19 Feb 1961 | Racing 0-1 Athletic | El Sardinero |
| 23 Oct 1960 | Athletic 3-1 Racing | San Mamés (old) |
| 13 Feb 1955 | Athletic 3-0 Racing | San Mamés (old) |
| 31 Oct 1954 | Racing 1-4 Athletic | El Sardinero |
| 7 Feb 1954 | Racing 1-1 Athletic | El Sardinero |
| 11 Oct 1953 | Athletic 5-1 Racing | San Mamés (old) |
| 18 Jan 1953 | Athletic 5-0 Racing | San Mamés (old) |
| 14 Sep 1952 | Racing 2-0 Athletic | El Sardinero |
| 3 Feb 1952 | Athletic 0-1 Racing | San Mamés (old) |
| 14 Oct 1951 | Racing 3-1 Athletic | El Sardinero |
| 21 Jan 1951 | Athletic 3-1 Racing | San Mamés (old) |
| 1 Oct 1950 | Racing 1-0 Athletic | El Sardinero |
| 10 Mar 1940 | Athletic 3-2 Racing | San Mamés (old) |
| 24 Dec 1939 | Racing 3-0 Athletic | El Sardinero |
| 29 Mar 1936 | Racing 2-1 Athletic | El Sardinero |
| 29 Dec 1935 | Athletic 6-1 Racing | San Mamés (old) |
| 17 Mar 1935 | Athletic 4-2 Racing | San Mamés (old) |
| 30 Dec 1934 | Racing 6-0 Athletic | El Sardinero |
| 4 Mar 1934 | Athletic 3-1 Racing | San Mamés (old) |
| 31 Dec 1933 | Racing 3-2 Athletic | El Sardinero |
| 5 Feb 1933 | Athletic 9-5 Racing | San Mamés (old) |
| 4 Dec 1932 | Racing 0-1 Athletic | El Sardinero |
| 3 Apr 1932 | Racing 2-0 Athletic | El Sardinero |
| 31 Jan 1932 | Athletic 3-2 Racing | San Mamés (old) |
| 22 Feb 1931 | Athletic 7-1 Racing | San Mamés (old) |
| 21 Dec 1930 | Racing 4-1 Athletic | El Sardinero |
| 30 Mar 1930 | Racing 2-3 Athletic | El Sardinero |
| 26 Jan 1930 | Athletic 4-0 Racing | San Mamés (old) |
| 12 May 1929 | Athletic 0-0 Racing | San Mamés (old) |
| 24 Feb 1929 | Racing 0-4 Athletic | El Sardinero |
Source: Transfermarkt and Weltfussball match lists, with totals confirmed against Fussballdaten.
The reverse fixture is played earlier in the season at El Sardinero in Santander. Supporters who want to see both meetings can follow the Racing Santander vs Athletic Bilbao listings, where the smaller capacity makes early planning even more important.
Visitors planning a wider trip along the north coast can also follow Racing's other home dates at the Estadio El Sardinero, a compact ground a short walk from the beaches of Santander.
No, a resale ticket from a verified seller does not require club membership. Bring photo ID that matches the details on your order.
Buying before the kick-off slot is confirmed gives the widest choice. Central Tribuna pairs rarely last until the final week.
Visiting supporters have a segregated section entered through gate 20, with its own refreshment point inside.
Yes, the roof covers the stands on all four sides, which matters in a city where spring showers are common.
Yes, filter for listings marked as seats together. Groups of four or more usually have the most options in the Preferencia and the upper tiers.
Sources: LaLiga official fixture list and stadium access guide, Athletic Club official club information, Real Racing Club official club information, Transfermarkt, Fussballdaten, Weltfussball, ESPN and contemporary match reports.