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Football – Spain Cup – King's Cup – 2025/2026 season (SEMI-FINAL)
11. February 2026. 21:00h
Athletic Bilbao vs Real Sociedad
San Mamés Stadium, Bilbao, ES
2026
11
February
Photo by: Domagoj Skledar/ arhiva (vlastita)
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Tickets for Athletic Bilbao vs Real Sociedad, Copa del Rey semifinal first leg at San Mamés, Bilbao 2025/26

Looking for tickets for Athletic Bilbao vs Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey semifinal at San Mamés? Here you can handle ticket purchase quickly, check ticket sales availability, and plan your matchday in Bilbao with form notes, recent head to heads, expected derby atmosphere, and practical entry guidance for the stadium
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Basque derby for a place in the Copa del Rey final

San Mamés in Bilbao on 11 February brings the first act of the Copa del Rey semi-final between Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad, two clubs that know each other down to the smallest details and that at this stage of the competition usually play on the edge of emotion and discipline. It is a two-legged tie, so the result in Bilbao will set the rhythm and pressure ahead of the return leg in San Sebastián, but in a Basque derby it is hard to talk about calculations because both camps naturally seek to impose their identity from the first minute. Fan interest already suggests that ticket sales will be one of the main topics of the week, and experience shows that tickets for nights like these sell out faster than for average league fixtures. Anyone who wants to experience the atmosphere in the stands should plan the trip as early as possible and purchase tickets in time, because demand always increases further as the match approaches. Secure your tickets right now!

Competition framework and two-leg schedule

The Copa del Rey semi-final is played in a two-match format, which tactically changes the approach for both coaches and players, and especially highlights the importance of details such as set pieces, cards, and controlled periods without risk. The first match of the tie is played at San Mamés, while the return leg is scheduled at Estadio Municipal de Anoeta, so Athletic will have the advantage of a home environment when opening the series, and Real Sociedad will respond in front of their own fans. According to the published schedule, the clash in Bilbao is in a time slot that traditionally fills the stands and creates a strong evening backdrop, which further puts ticket sales in focus and increases the importance of arriving at the stadium on time. That is precisely why tickets for this match disappear quickly, so buy your tickets in time and expect crowds around the entrances, especially if you are coming from other parts of the Basque Country or from outside the region. In matchups like these, it is not only quality that decides, but also the ability to withstand momentum and avoid “empty” minutes in which the opponent senses an opportunity.

Current form and league context before the semi-final

Ahead of the cup clash, both clubs have clear goals in the league as well, and the standings show that Real Sociedad arrive with a slightly more stable points tally and a position closer to the top. After 23 matches played, Real Sociedad are eighth with 31 points, while Athletic are eleventh with 25 points, which speaks of a season in which both have had fluctuations, but also enough quality to reach the business end of the Cup. The league context matters because it affects rotations and the distribution of minutes, but the Copa del Rey semi-final almost always “wipes out” weekly plans and pushes the strongest assets to the forefront. For fans, that means tickets gain extra value, because matches like these often offer an intensity that is remembered for years, regardless of the league rhythm. In practice, anyone who secures a good spot in the stands and buys tickets in time has a greater chance to feel the full impression of the “match of the season,” especially when the derby is played in a sold-out stadium.
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The freshest results that led to the semi-final

The road to the semi-final confirms that both teams in the Cup went through demanding tests, and the final step into the last four came at the beginning of February. Athletic won 2–1 away at Valencia CF in the quarter-final, showing they can win outside their stadium in high-pressure matches. Real Sociedad, on the other hand, beat Deportivo Alavés 3–2 in the quarter-final, a clash with tempo and goals that often mark cup competitions and remind how important it is to be efficient in both penalty areas. Those results further “pumped up” expectations around the semi-final, so it is understandable that ticket sales have been a strong topic already days before the first whistle. When league and cup matches are played in the same week, fan logistics become an important factor, and buying tickets in advance helps avoid stress and last-minute improvisation. In this context, tickets for this event are not just entry to the stadium, but also the key to being part of a story that unfolds in two acts.

What the last head-to-head tells us

The semi-final gains extra appeal from the fact that Athletic and Real Sociedad recently met in the league, also at San Mamés, and drew 1–1, which suggests balance and highlights how little it takes for the equilibrium to tip. Such a result ahead of the two-legged cup tie acts as a “preview” of a tough match, in which one detail or one mistake will be enough to steer the whole story to one side. In addition, the earlier league meeting this season ended with a 3–2 win for Real Sociedad, which gives Athletic extra motivation to show a response in front of their fans and confirm that San Mamés on nights like these can be a decisive factor. Fan interest therefore naturally grows, and tickets for matches like these often go fastest precisely when, in the last few days, the feeling intensifies that “this time there is no second chance.” If you want to watch the derby turn into a cup spectacle, buying tickets as early as possible gives you peace of mind and a better chance to choose seats. Ultimately, these encounters rarely remain “just another match,” and tickets are entry into an experience that gets retold.

Tactical picture: where the match can open up

A Basque derby is often decided in the zones between the lines, where pressing, second balls, and transitions dictate the tempo, and it is precisely there that Athletic at home usually seeks the crowd’s energy as extra fuel. Real Sociedad, on the other hand, generally try to control possession and find solutions through patient attacks, but in the Cup that control must constantly be balanced with caution, because one lost duel can mean swift punishment. The first match of a two-legged tie usually brings less risk than the return leg, but in a derby it is hard to expect prolonged “feeling out,” especially if an early event, such as a goal or a card, changes the psychological picture. In such circumstances the crowd also becomes part of the tactics, because loud stands raise the intensity of duels and force teams into quicker decisions, which is another reason why tickets are in demand and why people want to be in the stadium. For the spectator, that means 90 minutes full of small battles, and often a match in which the most memorable moment is a three-minute spell in which everything broke one way. Anyone who wants to feel that tension up close, tickets are the crucial first step.
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Key players and duels that can decide the semi-final

In matches like these, it is often not only the big names that decide, but also players who at the right moment “steal” space or win a set piece, and both teams have profiles that can make a difference with one move. Athletic traditionally rely on intensity, runs in behind, and aggressive play in duels, while Real Sociedad seek technical precision and the final pass that breaks a compact defence. Particularly interesting can be the battles on the flanks, because in derbies it is precisely there that space opens for a cross or a cut-back that changes the scoreline, and such details in a two-legged tie count double. It also matters how both teams manage emotions, because every unnecessary card can affect the return leg, and coaches will have to find the line between aggression and control. All of this further increases the value of the event itself, so tickets become more than a simple purchase; they are entry into a night in which a memorable moment can happen. If you have been wondering whether to go, this is the type of match that rarely disappoints in intensity.

San Mamés as a factor: a stadium that changes the derby’s dynamics

San Mamés is rightly regarded as one of the most striking stadiums in Spain, because it combines modern architecture and a strong local identity, and a capacity of around 53,000 spectators creates a “sound wall” when the stands are full. Precisely in cup competition, that effect often reaches its maximum, because the crowd knows the stake is bigger than three league points and that it is played for a place in the final. Athletic’s home semi-final therefore gains an extra dimension, and Real Sociedad must be ready for an atmosphere that raises the tempo and does not forgive mistakes in the opening minutes. On nights like these, ticket sales naturally explode, because fans want to be part of the event, not just follow the score, especially when it is a derby remembered beyond the Basque Country. Buy tickets via the button below and plan to enter earlier, because large crowds form around the stadium ahead of matches like these, and security checks can take time. San Mamés in a derby is not just a location, but an active element of the match, and that is best felt from the inside.

Bilbao and the city context: how the derby “spills” onto the streets

Bilbao is a city that lives football intensely, and in derby weeks this can be seen in the atmosphere of neighbourhoods, cafés, and the usual routes to the stadium, where conversation naturally revolves around line-ups, form, and “one ball” that can decide. The stadium’s location within the urban fabric further heightens the sense that the match is a city event, because a river of fans naturally flows toward San Mamés and creates the feeling of a shared walk toward a big night. For visitors, that means it is worth showing up earlier, soaking up the atmosphere, and avoiding stress, and for those coming for the first time, it is good to have clear logistics and the ticket purchase already taken care of in advance. In time slots like these, tickets often become as much a topic of conversation as the expected tactics, because everyone knows that a seat in the stands is entry into an experience that goes beyond the result. Given that the semi-final is played over two legs, fans often think about the return match too, but the first game in Bilbao almost always has a special “weight” because it sets the narrative for the entire series. That is why it is understandable that tickets for this event have heightened demand and that planning is key.
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Practical information for getting to San Mamés

San Mamés stadium is located at Rafael Moreno Pitxitxi Kalea, s/n, Bilbao, ES, in an area that is well connected by public transport and walking routes, but on the day of a big derby you should still expect slower movement and larger crowds. The recommendation is to arrive earlier, especially if you want to find your entrance without rushing, pass the checks, and take your seat before the opening pressure and the first wave of fans that arrives right before kick-off. For those arriving by car, it is important to plan parking in advance and consider a walking route for the last few hundred metres, because traffic around the stadium becomes noticeably congested at times like these. When tickets are bought in time, the whole process becomes simpler, because uncertainty and last-minute nerves are avoided, and the focus shifts to the match. This is one of those events where logistics directly translate into the quality of the experience, so it is worth arranging everything earlier. Anyone who wants the full feel of a semi-final, a planned arrival and secured tickets are the best start to the night.

How to read the first match of the two-legged tie

The first semi-final match in a two-legged tie often has two parallel goals: to gain an advantage, but also not to leave too much space for the opponent in the return leg, which sometimes leads to phases of caution and controlled risk. Still, when it is Athletic against Real Sociedad, such “quiet” phases rarely last long because one duel, one mistake in build-up, or one set piece can shift the match into a completely different rhythm. Athletic will logically try to use the home ground and the energy of the stands, while Real Sociedad will look for moments to calm the game and attacks that force the hosts to drop back. In that dynamic, the first and last quarter-hour are especially important, because that is when key moments most often happen, whether it is early initiative or late pressure. For fans, that is one more reason not to be late and to already be in their seat when the match “boils over,” and tickets bought earlier make that part of the story easier. A Basque derby in a semi-final rarely leaves anyone indifferent, and the first match is often the most emotionally intense.

Why demand for tickets is higher than usual

A Copa del Rey semi-final belongs to the category of matches that are not played every season, and when local rivals collide at that stage, interest multiplies beyond the standard fan base. In addition, the recent head-to-head results show how close the teams are, which further feeds the sense that every referee decision, every set piece, and every ball in the box will have “the weight of gold.” That is exactly why ticket sales move faster, because many want to be physically present in the stadium and feel how the derby is played under the floodlights and in an atmosphere that is hard to convey on a screen. In practice, tickets for this event are often sought by neutral football lovers too, because the combination of a derby, a semi-final, and San Mamés sounds like a guarantee of content and intensity. Tickets for this match disappear quickly, so buy your tickets in time and avoid a scenario where at the last moment you try to find a seat or organise your arrival without a clear plan. On nights like these everything happens fast, on the pitch and around it, so buying tickets in good time is the simplest way to secure peace of mind.
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Sources:
- AS.com, semi-final schedule (first leg) and San Mamés location
- AS.com, semi-final schedule (second leg) and Anoeta location
- LALIGA, standings table (Matchday 23) with the positions of Real Sociedad and Athletic Club
- LALIGA, Athletic Club results (including the Cup quarter-final and the 1–1 league derby)
- LALIGA, Real Sociedad results (including the Cup quarter-final and league matches)
- Sanmames.athletic-club.eus, stadium data and capacity (around 53,000 spectators)
- Euskadi.eus, basic data about San Mamés (address and capacity)

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08 February, 2026, Author: Sports desk

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