Bilbao, Spain: San Mamés Stadium

It's easy for Americans to think that all of the great stadiums are in North America. That's maybe because so few get the chance to take a look at facilities across the pond.

Welcome, then, to San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao. It checks in with a little more than 53,000 seats, and is relatively new since it opened in 2013. The place is in the middle of downtown, and there isn't much parking in the immediate area. Therefore, public transit must get a workout on gamedays. 

The stadium is located on a hill that overlooks the river. The view is terrific, and the same is true for those on the river looking up at the stadium - particularly at night. 

A statue of Jose Angel Iribar can be found outside the stadium on the pavement. He played forever for Athletic Bilbao, and then became the team's manager. After Franco's death in 1976, he took the Basque flag and struck it into the ground at the center circle. It was the first time the flag had been shown in public since Franco's death, and thus was a large moment of significance for the population. Great story about the mixing of sports and life.

If you stop in on non-game days, there's a good-sized souvenir stand with the usual collection of overpriced items that Americans have come to expect.