Athletic Club Collaborates with BCAM on Digital Tool to Improve Mobility at Major Events.

Roger Hampel

Image: Athletic Club

Athletic Club has partnered with the Basque Center for Applied Mathematics (BCAM) to develop a new computational tool designed to optimize pedestrian mobility during large-scale events such as football matches and concerts. The initiative, known as M3OVE, is funded by the Diputación Foral de Bizkaia (Bizkaia Provincial Council) and aims to enhance crowd management, safety, and urban planning through advanced mathematical modeling.

A Digital Twin for San Mamés Athletic Club BCAM

As part of the collaboration, BCAM researchers worked with real anonymized data from matches held at San Mamés during the previous season, including UEFA Europa League fixtures, to create a digital twin of the stadium and its surrounding area.

The model simulates crowd flow and density in real time, identifying potential congestion points and improving pedestrian routing before and after events. These insights allow both event organizers and local authorities to make informed decisions to ensure smoother and safer access to large venues.

According to Athletic Club, the findings shared by BCAM at the end of last season have already led to improvements in the movement of fans entering and exiting San Mamés, particularly around key access gates.

Broader Applications Beyond Football

While the tool was initially developed for sporting events, BCAM notes that the M3OVE system has wider applications for other mass gatherings, such as concerts and festivals, as well as for urban infrastructure planning.

The project is supported by Bilbao City Council and other local institutions, reflecting a regional commitment to innovation in urban management and event safety.