Why Athletic Bilbao now want to expand San Mames Stadium despite not filling its 53,331-capacity

Athletic Bilbao are exploring ways to increase the capacity of San Mames Stadium despite the venue currently operating below its 53,331-seat capacity.

The club reportedly wants to add around 2,400 seats, with a long season-ticket waiting list helping to explain the decision.

Athletic Bilbao eye 2,400 extra seats in San Mames expansion

Athletic president Jon Uriarte has confirmed the club is examining every possible option to increase the capacity of San Mames, which is set to be part of the 2030 World Cup, including finding space beneath some of the stadium's existing seating areas.

The proposed changes could add around 2,440 seats, taking the capacity to approximately 56,000. Athletic's treasurer Guillermo Ruiza-Longarte said around €9m (£7.7m) has been earmarked for the project, which would be carried out in two phases.

However, the LaLiga outfit faces a slightly unusual situation, as average attendance this season is around 48,096, leaving thousands of seats unoccupied at matches.

That figure is also down by 84 spectators per game compared with last season, although the club says demand for season tickets remains strong.

According to reports in Spain, around 11,000 supporters are currently on the waiting list for a season ticket.

Uriarte acknowledged that some of the potential solutions would be more complicated than others, with planning permission also potentially required before any work can begin.

The final details of the proposal are expected to become clearer at Athletic's general meeting at the end of October.

FGG says: San Mames expansion plans do make some sense

At first glance, adding seats to a stadium that regularly has thousands of empty spaces may seem unusual, but the club's substantial season-ticket waiting list provides important context.

Increasing capacity would give Athletic an opportunity to accommodate more supporters who currently cannot secure season tickets, while also creating additional potential matchday revenue.

The proposed expansion is relatively modest compared with the size of San Mames, so the club appears to be looking at targeted changes rather than a major redevelopment of the stadium.