Bilbao Basket
Professional basketball in Bilbao, Spain.
Club Basket Bilbao Berri S.A.D., commonly known as Bilbao Basket, also known as Surne Bilbao Basket for sponsorship reasons, is a professional basketball club based in Bilbao, Spain. The team plays in the Liga ACB. Their home arena is the Bilbao Arena.
- Sport
- Basketball
- City
- Bilbao
- League
- Liga ACB
- Home Venue
- Bilbao Arena
- Key Rivalry
- Baskonia
- Status
- Active
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The club was founded in 2000 after the merger of Cajabilbao and SD Patronato. After four seasons between LEB and LEB 2, Bilbao promoted to Liga ACB in 2004 by winning 3–1 against Baloncesto León in the LEB playoff final. Bilbao spent 14 seasons in the top tier (13 full seasons played, excluding the 2014–15 season when they were briefly excluded but reinstated), becoming finalist of the league in the 2010–11 season, where it lost to FC Barcelona 3–0. In 2012, Bilbao played the EuroLeague and was eliminated in the quarterfinals by CSKA Moscow, who won the series 3–1. The best era finished in 2013, when it lost the 2013 Eurocup Final at Charleroi against Lokomotiv Kuban. On 17 July 2014, the ACB excluded Bilbao Basket from the Liga ACB due to financial trouble, but on 8 August the exclusion was lifted and Bilbao remained in the top league. The club played four more seasons until relegation on 13 May 2018, after losing the Basque derby against Baskonia 74–78.
In Their Own Story
The lights hummed low over the Bilbao Arena as the crowd began to swell, a sea of orange and white scarves waving in unison. It was a night where the air felt thick with anticipation, not for a football match, but for the squeak of rubber on hardwood. A young local player, wearing the city's crest, stepped onto the court, feeling the weight of generations of Bilbao supporters behind him. The roar that erupted when he sank his first shot wasn't just noise; it was the voice of a city celebrating its own.
Reader's Guide
Bilbao Basket has a strong rivalry with Saski Baskonia, known as the Basque basketball derby. The club's reserve team is Fundación Bilbao Basket, which plays in Tercera FEB, the fourth tier of Spanish basketball. Home arenas have included Pabellón La Casilla (2000–2009), Bizkaia Arena (2009–2010, occasionally used in 2007 and 2008), and Bilbao Arena (2010–present).
Did You Know?
- The club was founded in 2000 after the merger of Cajabilbao and SD Patronato.
- Bilbao Basket promoted to Liga ACB in 2004 by winning the LEB playoff final against Baloncesto León.
- Bilbao Basket spent 14 seasons in the top tier (13 full seasons played, excluding the 2014–15 season when they were briefly excluded but reinstated).
- Bilbao Basket was a runner-up in the Liga ACB in 2011 and in the EuroCup in 2013.
- The team has had several sponsorship names, including Surne Bilbao Basket since 2021.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bilbao Basket officially part of Athletic Club?
No, they are legally independent organizations despite sharing the same city and cultural values. Both teams represent Basque identity but operate under separate sporting regulations.
Which league does Bilbao Basket compete in?
The squad plays in the Liga ACB, which is the highest level of professional basketball in Spain. They also qualify for continental European competitions based on their domestic standing.
Do they share a stadium with Athletic Club?
No, Bilbao Basket plays its home matches at a dedicated indoor arena rather than San Mamés. This separation allows each club to focus on the specific requirements of their respective sports.
Why is Bilbao Basket important to the city's culture?
They serve as a second major pillar of professional sport in Bilbao alongside the football team. Their success reinforces the region's reputation for competitive excellence across multiple disciplines.
How long has Bilbao Basket existed?
The club was established in 1932, giving it over ninety years of history within Spanish basketball. This longevity makes them one of the most historic franchises in the league today.
More in Stadium & Culture
Elsewhere in the Athletic Bilbao universe
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