San Sebastián is one of the most enjoyable European away days in Spain: a compact city, a beach a short walk from the old town and a modern, steep-sided stadium. For Anoeta away fans, the practical side still matters. This guide explains how to get to the Reale Arena, what to expect at entry, what you can bring and how Spanish law applies to visiting supporters.
Need legal help in San Sebastián? Our football fan lawyers can assist you before, during and after the match. Contact us or message us on WhatsApp. We reply quickly, in English.
European matches at Anoeta in 2026/27
Real Sociedad play in the UEFA Europa League league phase this season. Their remaining home matches are:
- Real Sociedad v Olympique Lyonnais, Thursday 5 November 2026, scheduled for 18:45 local time
- Real Sociedad v Torreense, Thursday 10 December 2026
- Real Sociedad v Viktoria Plzeň, Thursday 21 January 2027
Europa League kick-offs are usually 18:45 or 21:00 local time, and times can change. Check the latest details with Real Sociedad and your own club before booking. Our overview of UEFA away trips to Spain in 2026/27 lists every Spanish fixture this season.
Anoeta at a glance
- Official name: Reale Arena, still widely called Anoeta, in the Amara district of San Sebastián (Donostia in Basque).
- Capacity: around 39,500, all seated, after the redevelopment completed in 2019 that removed the athletics track.
- Away section: a segregated area for visiting supporters. For recent European matches, it has been reported in the Fondo Norte (north stand), with access through Gate 9.
- Tickets: away fans should buy only through their own club’s allocation.
- Policing: the Ertzaintza (Basque police) and the municipal police, plus club stewards.
- Atmosphere: the stands are close to the pitch, so noise carries well. That also means stewards and cameras can see the away end clearly.
Getting to the stadium
The stadium is south of the city centre, roughly a 25 to 30 minute walk from the old town (Parte Vieja). Many Anoeta away fans simply walk, but follow any route or escort arrangements set by the police on the day.
- Train: Anoeta station on the Euskotren network, known locally as the Topo, is next to the stadium. It is served by lines running between Amara, Lasarte-Oria and Hendaye, so you can also reach the ground directly from the French border.
- Bus: several Dbus city routes serve the Anoeta area. Expect changes around kick-off.
- Car: parking is limited. Use public car parks and allow extra time.
Arriving by air. You have three main options:
- San Sebastián Airport (in Hondarribia), around 20 km away, with a direct bus to the city.
- Biarritz Airport in France, around 40 km away, with coach connections to San Sebastián, or a connection via Hendaye and the Euskotren.
- Bilbao Airport, around 100 km away, with a regular airport coach to San Sebastián’s bus station. The journey takes over an hour, so leave plenty of time after a late kick-off.
Check timetables before you travel, especially for the last coach back to Bilbao or Biarritz. Away supporters may be held inside after the final whistle.
Save our number before you travel: +34 600 571 772. If you are stopped, refused entry or separated from your group, call or WhatsApp us and we will advise you straight away.
Away section and entry for Anoeta away fans
Entry procedures for Anoeta away fans are set by Real Sociedad and the police for each match. In general, expect:
- Named tickets. Carry your passport or national ID card, as your details may be checked against the ticket.
- Searches at the perimeter and at the turnstiles. Arrive early, as queues build up near kick-off.
- Segregation. Visiting colours in home areas can lead to refusal of entry or removal. Do not buy home-section tickets from unofficial sellers.
- A hold-back after the match while home fans leave.
The Reale Arena has seen serious incidents in the away end before. After trouble during a 2024 Europa League match, UEFA closed the visiting club’s away sections for several matches and ordered it to pay for damage to the stadium. Individual supporters can also be identified from camera footage and face penalties in Spain. Make sure you are not caught up in someone else’s behaviour.
Read our guide to ticket scams in Spain if you are buying from anyone other than your club. If your match has been classified as high risk, our article on high-risk matches for away fans explains what usually changes.
What you can and cannot bring
Real Sociedad applies the standard Spanish stadium rules. You should expect bans on:
- Flares, smoke bombs and any other pyrotechnics.
- Alcohol, glass bottles and cans.
- Weapons and objects that could be thrown or used to cause injury.
- Banners or symbols with violent, racist, xenophobic or otherwise offensive content.
Large bags may be refused and there may be nowhere to leave them. Check your club’s travel notice for the specific rules on bag size, flags and banners. Our bag rules guide for Spanish stadiums covers the general position.
Alcohol, pyrotechnics and Spanish law
Football crowds in Spain are governed by Ley 19/2007, against violence, racism, xenophobia and intolerance in sport. It sets conditions of access and conduct inside the stadium, including bans on bringing in alcohol, pyrotechnics and dangerous objects, and on entering while drunk.
Infringements by spectators are classed as minor, serious or very serious. The Spanish Interior Ministry lists these fine bands:
- Minor (leve): €150 to €3,000, with a possible stadium ban of one to six months.
- Serious (grave): €3,000.01 to €60,000, with a possible ban of six months to two years.
- Very serious (muy grave): €60,000.01 to €650,000, with a possible ban of two to five years.
Breaching the access and conduct rules is generally treated as serious, and as very serious where it causes damage or serious risk to people or property. Throwing objects, damaging seats or fighting can also lead to criminal proceedings under the Código Penal. Our guide to flares and fines in Spain explains the risks in more detail.
In the city, drink in bars rather than on the street. Local rules restrict drinking in public spaces and groups of visiting fans tend to attract police attention.
If something goes wrong
- Refused entry: stay calm, ask why, keep your ticket and ID, and find your club’s officials.
- Fined or reported: ask for a copy of any document and do not sign anything you do not understand. See what to do about a fine in Spain.
- Arrested: article 520 of the Ley de Enjuiciamiento Criminal gives you the right to remain silent, to a lawyer, to a free interpreter, to have someone told of your arrest and to contact your consulate. Read our guide for a football fan arrested in Spain.
- Stadium ban: a ban imposed in Spain can be challenged. See our guide to stadium bans in Spain.
Frequently asked questions
Where do away fans sit at Anoeta?
Visiting supporters have recently been placed in the north stand (Fondo Norte), entering through Gate 9. Confirm with your club, as arrangements can change for each match.
What is the nearest station to the Reale Arena?
Anoeta station on the Euskotren network is next to the stadium. Many fans also walk from the city centre in under half an hour.
Which airport is best for Anoeta away fans?
San Sebastián Airport is closest, but has fewer international flights. Biarritz and Bilbao offer more routes, with coach connections to the city.
Is alcohol sold inside the Reale Arena?
You should not count on it. Spanish law restricts alcohol at football matches and you cannot bring any into the stadium. Arriving drunk can lead to refusal of entry.
How Legal Supporters can help
We are a Madrid-based team of lawyers supporting travelling football fans in Spain, in English. For Anoeta away fans and supporters’ groups we provide:
- Preventive legal advice before the trip, including briefings for group organisers.
- On-call support on matchday by phone and WhatsApp.
- Mediation with police and stadium authorities.
- Assistance at the police station if you are detained.
- Defence against fines and stadium bans, and in criminal proceedings.
Organising a group? Start with our supporters’ group trip checklist. Find out more on our services page or contact us before you travel. You can also call or WhatsApp us on +34 600 571 772.
Reviewed by Guillermo J. Fernández, football fan lawyer in Madrid and member of the Football Supporters Europe Fan Lawyer Network.