Arsenal fans in Bilbao: Matchday guide to the Estadio de San Mames

On Tuesday, 16 May, Arsenal will play their first Champions League match of the season, when they travel to the north of Spain to take on Athletic Bilbao.

It's an area of Spain that has been popular with British football fans in recent years, with Manchester United, Tottenham and Rangers all recent visitors to the Estadio San Mames.

For Arsenal fans, it will be their first-ever trip to the stadium, and they are unlikely to be left disappointed by what they will find. If you are one of the Arsenal fans heading to Spain this weekend, here is everything you need to know about the stadium and the city of Bilbao.

How many Arsenal fans are going to Bilbao?

Arsenal have been given an allocation of 2,554 tickets for the away match against Athletic Bilbao, and all of these were quickly sold out to eligible season ticket holders, indicating that this is perhaps one of the more glamorous of Arsenal's four Champions League league phase away matches.

Given that Bilbao isn't the easiest of places to get to directly from the United Kingdom, it isn't anticipated that too many Arsenal fans will travel over to Spain without tickets.

Where will Arsenal fans sit at the Estadio de San Mames?

Arsenal fans will be placed high up at the Estadio de San Mames, as is customary for European away matches. More specifically, the travelling Gooners will be located in the south-east corner of the stadium in the upper tier so they will do well to make themselves heard on the night. Tickets for the match in the away end have cost £43.45.

This is the side of the stadium that Tottenham were allocated for the Europa League final. Can another North London side enjoy a good night in Bilbao this week?

Full fans' matchday guide for Athletic Bilbao vs Arsenal

Where to eat & drink in Bilbao

Bilbao is a simply stunning city and is well worth a visit for non-football reasons. In this context, though, Arsenal fans are going to want to set up base in the city centre to enjoy a day of drinking in the sun before heading to the match. Some of the most British-friendly pubs in Bilbao include:

• The Sir Winston Churchill – Sabino Arana Etorbidea, 1, Abando, 48013 Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain
• The Wicklow Arms – Rodriguez Arias K., 30, Abando, 48011 Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain
• Penguin Bar – Gregorio de la Revilla Zumarkalea, 8, Abando, 48011 Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain

The main square in the centre of Bilbao, Plaza Nueva, has bars covering the entire perimeter. This is where large groups of Man Utd fans spent the day before the Europa League final back in May.

How to get to the Estadio de San Mames

The easiest way to get to the Estadio de San Mames is on foot as the stadium is less than 2km away from the centre of Bilbao. Alternatively, fans can take the Metro to get to the stadium as the city has two separate metro lines, both of which stop at the stadium. The vast majority of fans will elect to simply walk, though, especially if the weather is nice.