Real Madrid vs. Athletic Bilbao: H2H, Results

Few rivalries in Spanish football run as deep as the one between Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao. Stretching back to 1903, this fixture predates El Clásico and carries its own weight in Basque football culture. Whether you’re checking today’s score or digging into the head-to-head record, here’s what you need to know about El Viejo Clásico.

First meeting: Apr 8, 1903 · Rivalry name: El Viejo Clásico · Next match: May 24, 2026 at Bernabéu

Are Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao rivals?

Yes—and the fixture carries a name that reflects its age and cultural weight. The rivalry between these two clubs is known as El Viejo Clásico, sometimes called El Otro Clásico, distinguishing it from the more globally recognized Real Madrid vs Barcelona matchup. A Bleacher Report feature from September 2018 describes both clubs as dominant forces in Spain during the first half of the 20th century, with the rivalry claiming to be the oldest sustained matchup in Spanish football history.

El Viejo Clásico origins

The name points to something deeper than league standings. Athletic Bilbao operate under a Basque-only player policy, fielding only athletes with Basque heritage or origin—a policy that sets them apart from Real Madrid’s internationally assembled squad. This cultural contrast adds regional pride to every encounter, making the fixture about identity as much as results. The clubs first crossed paths in an 8 April 1903 Copa del Rey tie, with Athletic winning 3–2.

Key rivalry moments

Athletic Bilbao’s last home victory over Real Madrid came in early 2015, when Aritz Aduriz scored the decisive goal in a 1–0 win at San Mamés. According to Bleacher Report sports journalism, that result briefly interrupted what had become a deeply one-sided rivalry in Madrid’s favor. Since then, Athletic have found wins increasingly difficult to come by.

The implication: the rivalry’s cultural roots run deep, but on the pitch, the balance of power has tilted decisively toward Madrid for over a decade.

What is the head-to-head record between Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao?

Across 249 recorded meetings, Real Madrid hold a commanding advantage. Per Sports Mole football data, Real Madrid have won 125 of those matches, Athletic Bilbao 79, with 45 draws. That gives Madrid roughly a 50% win rate over the full history.

All-time stats

Breaking down the numbers more granularly, different sources report varying subsets. FootyStats statistics portal cites 38 meetings where Real Madrid won 27 times with an 83-goal tally compared to Bilbao’s 27. SoccerPunter sports database reports 53 matches with Madrid winning 40 and averaging 2.28 goals per game. These discrepancies reflect different competition scopes—some counts include cup matches, others focus solely on La Liga encounters.

Recent encounters

The recent record tells a familiar story. In the last six head-to-head meetings tracked by FScore sports tracker, Real Madrid won four, Athletic Bilbao one, with one draw. AiScore live scores platform reports that in the last five H2H, Athletic managed one win against three losses.

What this means: even Athletic’s most recent victories at San Mamés haven’t translated to away success. Madrid’s fortress at Bernabéu has held for 20 consecutive La Liga home games against Athletic.

What are recent Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao results?

The 2024–2025 season brought the rivalry’s contrasting fortunes into sharp focus. Athletic Bilbao managed a 2–1 home win on December 4, 2024, with goals from Alex Berenguer and Gorka Guruzeta. However, Sports Mole football data records show Real Madrid responded emphatically on April 20, 2025, winning 1–0 at Bernabéu, then again on December 3, 2025, with a 3–0 victory at San Mamés—exactly one year after Athletic’s earlier triumph.

Latest matches

Looking further back, Real Madrid’s 2–0 win on March 31, 2024, at Bernabéu (per Sports Mole football data) and a 1–1 draw on June 4, 2023, round out the recent picture. Before December 2024’s Athletic win, Madrid had won 4 of 9 meetings—a pattern consistent across the broader rivalry history.

Scorelines

Typical scorelines favor Madrid by one or two goals. The 2–1 and 2–0 results appear most frequently in recent seasons, with Madrid occasionally winning by three-goal margins when the fixture favors them heavily at home.

The pattern: Athletic can compete at San Mamés but consistently fall short on the road. The Bernabéu has become an increasingly hostile venue for Basque visitors.

When is Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao today or next?

The next confirmed fixture is scheduled for Saturday, May 24, 2026, at Estadio Bernabéu in LaLiga action. As of current standings, Real Madrid sit 2nd in the table while Athletic Bilbao occupy 9th—a gap that reflects their recent form differential.

Upcoming fixture

Fans seeking Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao tickets for the May 2026 Bernabéu match should monitor official club channels and authorized ticket platforms. Given Madrid’s dominant home record against Athletic, demand typically runs high for this fixture despite the lopsided recent history.

Live details

LaLiga matches are broadcast across major sports networks. For the May 2026 encounter, check regional schedules closer to the date. Kickoff time for the Bernabéu fixture has historically been set for evening slots (around 21:00 local time), making it accessible for international viewers.

The catch: Athletic’s 20-game away losing streak at Bernabéu suggests the visitor faces steep odds, but El Viejo Clásico rarely lacks intensity regardless of league positions.

Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao prediction and highlights?

Based on current form and historical data, Real Madrid enter as clear favorites for the May 2026 fixture. Their 3–0 December 2025 win at San Mamés, combined with a dominant home record, paints a picture of a side in control of this particular matchup.

Predictions

Athletic Bilbao’s path to points runs through converting home matches into wins—something they demonstrated in December 2024. However, replicating that success at Bernabéu would require bucking a two-decade trend. Sports Mole football data notes that Athletic have not won any of their last 20 away La Liga matches against Real Madrid—a stat that speaks for itself when considering the upcoming fixture.

Highlights and tickets

Post-match highlights for the most recent December 2025 3–0 result are available through sports streaming platforms. For fans attending the May 2026 match, Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao tickets through official channels remain the most reliable option, though secondary market prices may spike given the rivalry’s historical significance.

What to watch: whether Athletic can finally break the Bernabéu drought—and whether Madrid’s 20-game streak survives into a new season—will define the narrative around this encounter regardless of the final scoreline.

For fans weighing Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao in 2026, the data is unambiguous: Madrid hold a structural advantage at Bernabéu that has persisted for over 20 years. Athletic’s December 2024 home win proved they remain capable of upsets, but translating that to points away from San Mamés would mark a historic break in the pattern. The May 2026 fixture offers one answer—but given the rivalry’s unpredictability, anyone with tickets should expect the unexpected.