What Is the Oldest Spanish Stadium? A Journey Through Time
A quick answer: it's in Bilbao, but hold on…
The oldest stadium in Spain is San Mamés, located in the football-mad city of Bilbao, in the Basque Country. But wait—there’s a twist. The original San Mamés opened in 1913, making it one of the earliest football temples in Europe. However, the current stadium was rebuilt and reopened in 2013.
So… does that still count as the oldest? Let’s dig into it. Because the answer is a little more nuanced than a simple “yes or no.”
San Mamés: The Cathedral of Spanish Football
Nicknamed La Catedral by fans (and honestly, it's earned it), San Mamés has an iconic status that goes way beyond just being “old.”
History of the original stadium
Inaugurated: August 21, 1913
First match: Athletic Club vs. Racing de Irún
Capacity (at peak): around 40,000
It stood for almost a century—witnessing some of Spanish football’s wildest and most emotional moments. Not just club games, but international matches, local derbies, you name it.
By the early 2000s, though, it was falling apart (not literally, but yeah… almost). The new stadium, built right next to the old one, opened in 2013. It’s modern, shiny, massive—but they kept the name, and a whole lot of the soul.
Wait, does the rebuild disqualify it?
That’s where opinions split. Some football purists will tell you that because the structure is new, it's no longer the "same" stadium. Others argue that since it’s on the same site, used by the same club (Athletic Club de Bilbao), and continues the same legacy, it absolutely counts.
Honestly? I lean towards the second group. I mean, history isn’t just bricks and concrete—it’s what happened on the pitch.
Are there other ancient stadiums still standing?
Yes! If you’re strict about “oldest still standing in original form,” then San Mamés might not win. Let’s look at a few contenders:
Mestalla – Valencia CF’s legendary ground
Opened: 1923
Still in use today (albeit with many renovations)
It’s rough around the edges, but full of character.
Mestalla could arguably be the oldest continuously used stadium in Spain that hasn't been completely rebuilt. That gives it a different kind of historical charm.
El Molinón – Sporting de Gijón
First recorded use: 1908 (!!)
Official opening: 1915
Some claim this makes it the actual oldest in terms of “being there forever.”
Thing is, El Molinón has gone through serious makeovers—especially for the 1982 World Cup. But the location and basic structure? Still OG.
Stadiums vs. identity: why this matters
In Spain (and let's be honest, most of Europe), stadiums aren’t just sports venues. They’re community hubs. They’re where grandparents took kids, where local songs were sung, and where political and cultural identity often boiled over.
Especially in the Basque Country and Catalonia, football stadiums became safe spaces to express local pride—sometimes subtly, sometimes not so subtly. That’s why San Mamés still holds a sacred spot for many, even if it’s technically a “new” building.
Personal memory: the goosebumps moment
I still remember my first time at the old San Mamés in 2005. Athletic Bilbao vs. Real Sociedad. The noise? Deafening. The crowd? Wild but somehow respectful. I sat next to a man who told me he had been coming to this ground for over 40 years. He knew everyone in his row by name.
When I came back in 2016 to see the new stadium—sleek, futuristic, beautiful—I ran into the same guy. Same seat number, just a new seat. He smiled and said, “La Catedral est toujours ici.” (The Cathedral is still here.)
Goosebumps. Still get them thinking about it.
Conclusion: So... what’s the final verdict?
The oldest Spanish stadium? Technically, El Molinón may take the crown if you go by first usage. Mestalla wins if you care about longevity with minimal rebuilding. But in terms of emotional weight, legacy, and football history?
San Mamés remains the true Cathedral. Old or new, it still beats with the heart of over a century of football. And hey, that kind of legacy—you can’t rebuild that.
How much height should a boy have to look attractive?
Well, fellas, worry no more, because a new study has revealed 5ft 8in is the ideal height for a man. Dating app Badoo has revealed the most right-swiped heights based on their users aged 18 to 30.
Is 172 cm good for a man?
Yes it is. Average height of male in India is 166.3 cm (i.e. 5 ft 5.5 inches) while for female it is 152.6 cm (i.e. 5 ft) approximately. So, as far as your question is concerned, aforesaid height is above average in both cases.
Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?
The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
How to get taller at 18?
Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.
Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?
Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).
Can you grow between 16 and 18?
Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.
Can you grow 1 cm after 17?
Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.