Athletic Club Registers Record Attendance at San Mamés During 2024/25 Season.

Roger Hampel

Photo Credit: Athletic Club

Athletic Club has closed out the 2024/25 season with the highest average attendance in the history of the modern San Mamés, underscoring the role of strong in-stadium support as a strategic asset for both sporting consistency and commercial sustainability. The club welcomed an average of 48,459 spectators per match across 27 home fixtures, achieving a stadium occupancy rate of nearly 91% — one of the highest figures in Spanish football this season.

This marks a 3.55% increase from the 2023/24 campaign, where the club averaged 46,563 spectators across 22 matches. The growth is not only statistically notable but part of a broader upward trend in matchday attendance post-pandemic.

Consistency and Capacity Utilization Athletic Club Attendance

Across domestic and European competition — including LaLiga, the UEFA Europa League, and the Copa del Rey — Athletic Club hosted 27 home matches, producing 17 wins, six draws, and only four losses. Total attendance over the course of the season reached 1,308,402 spectators, outpacing last year’s total of just over 1 million.

The stadium’s full capacity is 53,331. With the season average of 48,459, San Mamés operated at nearly full capacity throughout the season, reinforcing its reputation not just as a historic venue but as one of the most effectively utilized football infrastructures in Europe.

Record-Setting Matches and High-Demand Fixtures

Two matches during the 2024/25 campaign set new club records for attendance. The UEFA Europa League quarter-final against Rangers FC on April 17, 2025, drew 52,114 fans, surpassing the previous all-time record set just a season earlier during a Copa del Rey semi-final against Atlético Madrid (52,061).

Another high-attendance highlight included the Europa League semi-final vs. Manchester United on May 1, which brought in 51,890 spectators. Notably, three of the club’s top five highest attendances of all time occurred during this season alone — further evidence of growing demand and competitive relevance.

Carnet Sharing: A Scalable Growth Lever

While performance on the pitch has played a central role in driving fan interest, a significant portion of the attendance growth is tied to increased carnet (season ticket) sharing among socios. In 2024/25, the club registered 124,713 carnet transfers, averaging 4,619 per match — up more than 35% from the 72,710 carnet transfers in the 2023/24 season.

This mechanism allows absent season ticket holders to release their seats back into circulation, effectively increasing the stadium’s active utilization without requiring additional inventory.

For a club like Athletic, whose season ticket base is deeply entrenched and where demand regularly exceeds supply, the carnet-sharing system has become a critical efficiency tool in maximizing attendance and matchday atmosphere.