Reale Arena (Anoeta Stadium): All About Real Sociedad’s Stadium

If you are a football fan, you probably have already heard about the La Liga team Real Sociedad. However, much less is said about the stadium, which houses the Spanish team games. 

The stadium is located in the Anoeta Sports Complex and has many features in addition to hosting Real Sociedad games. The Arena Real is a multi-purpose venue hosting various events, including shows, athletics, and rugby games. Its versatility and modern infrastructure make it a reference point in the city of San Sebastián, attracting visitors from all over the world for various types of events. 

Come and learn a little more about Real Sociedad fans’ favorite space.

Table of Contents

• Reale Arena (Anoeta Stadium): All About Real Sociedad’s Stadium
• History of the Arena Real
• Design and Facilities
• Traditions at the Estadio Reale Arena
• Do You Want to See It Yourself?
• Complete Sports Complex
• How To Get To Estadio Anoeta in San Sebastian
• The Home of Real Sociedad is Worth a Visit
• We Are All About Football!

History of the Arena Real

The Anoeta Municipal Stadium, also known as Reale Arena, is a football stadium in San Sebastian, Basque Country, Spain. Its current name, Reale Arena, corresponds to the sponsorship agreement signed between the club, Real Sociedad,  and the insurance company Reale in 2019. It was on the occasion of its reopening.

Initially, the Anoeta Stadium was built to replace the Cidade Desportiva de Anoeta (Sports Complex) of the time. In the late 1980s, Real Sociedad’s former home ground, Atoxa, could no longer support its fan base. It was decided that the Anoeta Sports Complex would contest their home games then. 

The initial construction costs for Anoeta were €21 million. The stadium’s inaugural match, a friendly match between Real Sociedad and Real Madrid, took place on 13 August 1993 and ended in a 2–2 draw. 

The arena originally had an athletics track around the pitch, a feature that was later removed to improve the atmosphere and the fans’ proximity to the game.

A renovation project began in 2017 and was completed in 2019. It transformed the stadium into a pure football arena without the track, increasing capacity to around 40,000 spectators and significantly improving hospitality and commercial facilities.  The Record Attendance of spectators in the Stadium was in the Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao match in 2020, with 36,730 people. The stadium has also been used for concerts and rugby games in recent years.

Design and Facilities

The stadium stands out for its modern design, which offers a unique experience for players and fans. The structure is covered by a roof that protects spectators from the elements, and modern lighting guarantees excellent visibility in all conditions. The stadium is packed with many facilities that make the experience of attending a game there incredible and memorable.  

VIP Lounges

Fans can choose to watch the matches in one of the VIP lounges, which provide visitors with an exclusive and completely luxurious experience. These areas are designed to offer comfort and a privileged view of the pitch. With a different ‘matchday,’ the lounges guarantee privileged access and seats in strategic locations for a better pitch view.

In addition, there are options for gastronomic experiences (with drinks), one of the highlights being a high-quality buffet service and various food and drink options. To top it all off, the VIP lounges are equipped with audiovisual service, Wi-Fi, and common areas that provide comfort and convenience.

Press Rooms

For media professionals, the Royal Arena offers modern press facilities, including conference rooms equipped with cutting-edge technology to facilitate the work of journalists.

Keler Espazioa

This is a multifunctional space that offers a range of facilities and activities for different audiences. The area is a popular meeting point for fans before, during, and after games.

There, you will find Gastrogune, the main gastronomic point. It offers various food and drink options in an environment that includes a bar, meal tables, and a stage for live performances.

The Fan Zone is a facility dedicated to children’s entertainment, with inflatables, table football, gaming machines, virtual reality, mini golf, and table tennis. LG Gaming is aimed at video game fans and is equipped with gaming computers, consoles, and a grandstand for watching live eSports events.

Private Events

The hospitality areas can also be used for private events, such as parties, corporate meetings, and celebrations, offering a versatile environment adaptable to clients’ needs.

Museo Real100

Inside this incredible stadium is also the Museo Real100, which offers visitors an immersive experience. It presents the centuries-old history of the Royal Society through interactive and multimedia exhibitions. The exhibits include trophies, vintage uniforms, memorabilia, and a series of audiovisual presentations that bring to life the team’s most glorious moments.

Official Store

The Club has one of its official stores inside the Reale Arena, which fans can easily access on match days.

You can find official club products in this store, including shirts, scarves, collector’s items, gifts, and accessories.

Traditions at the Estadio Reale Arena

A tradition that began at the club’s previous stadium was to set off fireworks when the opponent scored and two when the home team scored.

It may just be a legend, but it says that it was a way for the sailors of the Bay of Biscay to follow the times even when they were not on land. And if you one day attend one of Real Sociedad’s games, you will witness this; the tradition continues today.

Do You Want to See It Yourself?

You can purchase the Reale Arena tour if you want to see this modern stadium. It offers an immersive experience, allowing visitors to explore the stadium’s most exclusive locations and discover the secrets of Real Sociedad de Fútbol. During the visit, it is possible to see the auditorium, the players’ tunnel, the printing room, the modern locker rooms, and the presidential box. In addition, there is the opportunity to take a photo next to the playing field. 

The tour includes a 360º immersive experience with virtual reality glasses, providing the sensation of being in a live game, and visits to spaces such as the reserve banks and the local locker room. 

The Tour is available from Tuesday to Saturday, with times from 11 AM to 6 PM on those days. The Anoeta Stadium Tour costs an average of €6, and match day tickets usually cost an average of €88 per ticket, but this can vary depending on the event.   

Complete Sports Complex

In addition to the football field, the stadium building houses a cultural center (Ernest Lluch), an area with offices of sports federations (Kirol Etxea), the headquarters of the Guipuzcoan Football Federation, the offices of Real Sociedad, the official club store and the Royal Society Museum. The stadium’s surroundings are monuments in memory of Aitor Zabaleta and Alberto Ormaetxea.

It is also worth mentioning that the club has the Zubieta, the central facility near the stadium, which is just 10 minutes away. It has grown from just one football pitch to six regulation pitches (with a seventh to be added in the near future), four of which are natural grass pitches. Some of the greatest players in the team’s 100-year history have come from the academy, which has become a model in the football world. 

How To Get To Estadio Anoeta in San Sebastian

It is located south of the Amara district in San Sebastián. The address is Anoeta Pasealekua, 1 – 20014 San Sebastián. 

There is a nearby metro station called “Anoeta” that facilitates fans’ access to the stadium. You can take the Donostialdea (Topo) metro line to Anoeta station. This station quickly connects the stadium with the rest of the city and other municipalities in the province of Guipúzcoa.

If you want to go by car, from the center of San Sebastián, take Avenida de Madrid, heading south. Turn left on Avenida de Navarra and continue until you reach the roundabout, where you will see signs for the Reale Arena Stadium.

If you come from outside San Sebastián, take the AP-8 motorway and exit seven towards the city. Follow the signs for Amara. Continue on Avenida de Navarra until you reach the stadium.

Several city bus lines stop near the stadium if you prefer to travel by bus. The most common lines are 17, 24, and 28. Check the itinerary and timetables on the local transport company’s website.

The Home of Real Sociedad is Worth a Visit

More than just a football stadium, the Real Arena is a hub for sporting and cultural activities, offering a complete experience for fans and visitors alike. If you’re a football fan and plan to be near Donostia-San Sebastian, visiting the stadium will be fun!

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