Opened in 1993 to replace the beloved Atotxa ground, the original Anoeta was burdened by an unpopular running track. Between 2017 and 2019, Real Sociedad undertook an extraordinary transformation: digging the pitch down, rebuilding the end zones 8.5 meters from the goals, and expanding capacity to 40,000, earning the 2020 Prix Versailles World Architecture Award.
Architect Izaskun Larzabal reimagined the stadium with a vibrant blue ETFE skin that glows gently on Basque evenings. The interior features sweeping curved roof trusses that eliminate any visual obstruction, generating one of the most intimate atmospheres in Spanish football.
Donostia-San Sebastián is celebrated worldwide for having the highest concentration of Michelin-starred dining on Earth. For 2030, the Reale Arena will stage group matches and round of 32 games, offering travelling fans an unforgettable cultural and culinary experience.