Athletic–Real Sociedad will have a shared moment before the competitive one on Sunday 1 November. The clubs plan to recreate the famous Atotxa photograph from 5 December 1976, with José Ángel Iribar and Inaxio Kortabarria carrying the original Basque flag onto the San Mamés pitch. The derby then kicks off at 21:00 CET, giving supporters an evening that connects present rivalry with a collective memory.
- A joint pre-match tribute is planned before the Basque derby.
- The former captains will carry the original Ikurriña from 1976.
- Current players from both teams will take part in the recreation.
- The fixture is La Liga Matchday 11, on 1 November at 21:00 CET.
What the clubs have announced
Athletic’s 30 October announcement sets out the ceremony: Iribar and Kortabarria will walk onto the pitch with the original Ikurriña, the Basque flag. The present-day players will form a guard of honour before everyone poses to recreate the historic photograph. The statement invites supporters to arrive early enough to take part in the tribute.
The original scene belongs to the 5 December 1976 meeting at Atotxa. Sunday’s event is a commemoration of that image as its 50th anniversary approaches. It is also a planned event: the announcement describes what the clubs intend to do before kick-off, rather than a ceremony that has already happened.
A rivalry can also carry a shared history
The most striking part of the plan is its shared authorship. The clubs will be opponents once the game begins, but the ceremony places their players in the same picture. Our reading is that this gives the occasion a broader meaning without taking anything away from the football. A local rivalry can contain competition, familiarity and collective memory at the same time.
Bringing the former captains and the current teams together also makes the link between generations visible. Supporters who remember the original scene and those learning about it for the first time will be watching the same recreation. That connection gives the old photograph a place within a new matchday.
For a viewer discovering the derby, that is a useful introduction. The story does not begin with a predicted score or an argument about which side is stronger. It begins with an image both clubs have chosen to revisit. Watching the tribute before following the match offers a way to understand why this fixture means more to its supporters than its place in a league schedule.
The confirmed match information
The official viewing guide confirms Athletic Club against Real Sociedad at San Mamés on Sunday 1 November, at 21:00 CET. It is the eleventh La Liga matchday. The guide lists broadcaster partners by region and advises supporters to check the relevant local operator for the individual fixture. It is a sensible place to start when planning how to follow the game.
The time here is Bilbao local time, CET. Supporters elsewhere should check the displayed timezone before setting a reminder. Match scheduling and a broadcaster’s programme are separate pieces of information, so it is worth checking both close to the game rather than relying on an old television listing.
Arriving early has a purpose this weekend
Athletic’s stadium guide says the gates open at 19:30 CET. The pre-match tribute makes that practical detail particularly relevant. If you are attending, leave time for entry and finding your seat, then consult the club’s current information for any changes. This article does not confirm ticket availability or provide an exact start time for the ceremony.
For the wider league picture, our La Liga page brings together covered fixtures and standings. Our Unai Simón profile also explores a recent Athletic story. Sunday’s football will produce its own result; the tribute is a reason to pay attention before the first whistle.
Basque derby questions
When is Athletic–Real Sociedad?
Sunday 1 November 2026, at 21:00 CET in San Mamés.
Which photograph will the clubs recreate?
The Atotxa image from 5 December 1976 involving both teams and the Basque flag.
Has the tribute already taken place?
It is planned for before the forthcoming derby, according to the 30 October announcement.
Photo credit and official sources
Photo: Xabier / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped, resized and converted to WebP. The prepared image versions retain the linked source license.