Basque Derby Brings Culture And Goals To San Mames

The Basque derby is back, and what a spectacle it promises to be! On February 1, 2026, the iconic San Mames Stadium in Bilbao played host to one of La Liga’s most cherished rivalries: Athletic Club versus Real Sociedad. With the clock striking 20:00 GMT, fans from across the Basque Country poured into the stadium, eager to witness a fixture that’s as much about culture and identity as it is about footballing prowess.

Let’s set the scene. Athletic Club entered the match sitting 14th in the league, having endured a rough patch of form with four consecutive losses leading up to this clash. Ouch. Three of those defeats came by the narrowest of margins—3-2 scorelines that left fans wondering if their luck could possibly turn. Their last outing, a 2-1 loss to Sevilla FC, saw them outshoot their opponents 15 to 11 but walk away empty-handed. With a goal difference of -10 and just 20 goals scored in 21 matches, the pressure was mounting on the home side to deliver not just a result, but a performance that could reignite their campaign.

Real Sociedad, on the other hand, arrived in Bilbao in a buoyant mood. Under the stewardship of Pellegrino Matarazzo, who took the reins just before Christmas 2025, the San Sebastian side had gone unbeaten in five league games—winning three and drawing two. What’s more, they’d just progressed to the last eight of the Copa del Rey after a dramatic penalty shootout win over Osasuna, following a 2-2 draw. Their last two home games? Both victories, and both achieved despite being reduced to ten men. A 2-1 triumph over league leaders Barcelona and a 3-1 win against Celta Vigo had fans dreaming big. With 29 goals scored and 29 conceded in 21 league games, Sociedad sat comfortably in eighth, three points ahead of their rivals.

But this isn’t just any derby. The Basque derby is a unique tapestry woven from threads of fierce competition and profound respect. “It’s the joyful and friendly relationship among fans that makes it so special,” explained Gaizka Atxa, an Athletic Club supporter and founder of the UK supporters group. Before kick-off, fans from both sides join together in poteo—traditional pub crawls through the streets of Bilbao or San Sebastian—sharing drinks, laughter, and songs. In the stadium, it’s not uncommon to see supporters of both teams sitting side by side, even in the home stands. “That’s something very special,” Atxa added.

The rivalry often spills over into families, with split loyalties leading to friendly banter and hugs at full-time. “Having so many away fans in the stands who are often friends and relatives is something unusual in the rest of La Liga,” said Aitor Salinas-Armendariz, another Athletic supporter. “It’s totally normal to see away fans in the seats in the home stands. They’ll probably have been given the ticket by a home fan’s relative.”

On the pitch, both teams brought plenty of firepower. For Athletic Club, Nicholas Williams and Robert Navarro were the main men up front, each with four goals to their name this season. Navarro, in particular, has been efficient—scoring four times from just seven shots in 18 appearances, defying his expected goals tally of just 0.2. Alex Berenguer, the creative engine, had chipped in with 24 chances created and two goals. Despite their struggles, Athletic’s attacking stats were respectable: 11.8 shots per game, fifth-best in the league, and a whopping 538 crosses attempted, ranking second in La Liga.

Real Sociedad, meanwhile, boasted the league’s seventh-best attack with 29 goals. Mikel Oyarzabal led the charge with eight goals in 18 appearances, while Brais Mendez added five more. Ander Barrenetxea, with 26 chances created and three assists, kept the midfield ticking over. The side’s passing accuracy—87.5%—ranked ninth in the league, and their ability to win despite adversity, such as playing with ten men, had become a hallmark under Matarazzo.

Defensively, both teams had their vulnerabilities. Sociedad had conceded 29 goals in 21 games, while Athletic had shipped 30. Both sides had seen goals fly in at both ends—prior to this match, both teams had scored in seven of Athletic’s last eight matches and all of Sociedad’s last eight. No wonder the betting tipsters were calling this one a goal-fest! “Real Sociedad to win vs Athletic Club and both teams to score is Sunday’s Football Bet of the Day at 6/1,” one tipster noted, highlighting the attacking form and defensive frailties on display.

But what really makes the Basque derby stand out is its cultural significance. The day isn’t complete without the Bertso Derbia, a poetry competition featuring Basque improvisational poets—bertsolaris—who trade verses about football, local identity, and the rivalry itself. “It’s really nice because it’s a combination of fun, identity, culture, and it’s football at the same time,” said Johana Ruiz-Olabuenaga, Athletic Club’s communities director. For many, the poetry is as fiercely contested as the match itself, and a moderator ultimately declares the winning side.

Historically, the rivalry is intensified by Athletic’s unique policy of signing only Basque players, creating a constant tug-of-war for local talent. “These are matches where both sides have many players who came up through their youth academies and know exactly what it means to beat one of your biggest rivals,” observed Athletic Club journalist Benat Gutierrez Parro. The November reverse fixture saw Sociedad edge a 3-2 thriller at home, setting the stage for another dramatic encounter.

As the teams lined up under the San Mames floodlights, the air buzzed with anticipation. For Athletic, it was a chance to halt a worrying slide and restore pride. For Sociedad, the opportunity to extend their unbeaten run and perhaps close in on the European spots. Yet, as always in the Basque derby, the result would be only one part of the story.

With both sets of fans mixing in the stands, sharing songs and stories, and the city alive with the spirit of friendly rivalry, the Basque derby once again reminded everyone why it’s one of football’s most unique and beloved fixtures. Whatever the final score, the sense of community, brotherhood, and Basque pride would endure long after the final whistle.