Pamplona is a wonderful city, also for people who aren't into the infamous bull run of Pamplona. The historical capital of Navarra is also the home of Club Atlético Osasuna, which returned to the Spanish top flight a few years ago.
We already were fans of El Sadar, particularly because of the strange, high main stand towering over the rest of the stadium. You had a beautiful view of Pamplona from here. However, over the last few years, the stadium of Osasuna has been renovated and the other stands were brought to the same level. The capacity increased to 24,000 and unfortunately, the view of the city has disappeared. But every negative has a positive, and El Nuevo Sadar is now a lot more intimidating for opponents. Because of the steep stands, it feels like the fanatic Osasuna crowd is right on top of the pitch.
The Plaza del Castillo is the largest and most beautiful square in the city. In the northwest corner of the square used to be Café Kutz, where Osasuna was founded in 1920. Nowadays, it's an office of BBVA. The neighbouring café, Café Iruña, is a real hotspot for Osasuna and is known as the first bar where the socios of the club got together before games.
It's probably the smallest celebration square in Spain, the Plaza Consistorial. On the Plaza del Castillo around the corner, there's room for ten times more people, but the Plaza Consistorial is home to Pamplona's town hall. During the club's most recent promotion in 2019, the players appeared on the balcony of the town hall, and of course, the whole square was filled with fans.
Behind the Tribuna Sur stands, between the stadium and the Navarra Arena, you will find a new piece of art. It's called 'Sentimiento' and is made by Carlos Purroy, an ex-player of Osasuna who became an artist after his career. The sculpture was created for the centenary of Osasuna in 2020, and is an ode to the fans of the club.
Under the corner of the Tribuna Gol, you'll find 'El Txoko de Sadar', a typical Basque restaurant in the style of the club. Here you can dine extensively but also grab a quick beer before the match. Pictures from the history of Osasuna decorate the walls of the restaurant.
On a regular morning in August, a mural of Michael Robinson suddenly appeared on Avenida Roncesvalles, in the heart of Pamplona.
There are few players from the British football culture who can really settle in Spain, but Michael Robinson never left the Iberian peninsula. The Irish international won the Europa Cup I with Liverpool and ended his career at Osasuna. After his career, he became a famous pundit and commentator on Spanish television, until he died in 2020. Before a friendly between Liverpool and Osasuna, street artist SKN created the mural in memorial of the Irish striker, who along the way became a little bit Spanish.
On the official website of Osasuna, you can easily buy tickets. Be patient because, in typical Spanish fashion, it can take a while for ticket sales to go live.
El Sadar is in the south of Pamplona, not far from the University of Navarra. There's enough parking space around the stadium.
From the Plaza de Toros in the heart of town, you take bus 11 to El Sadar: a 15-minute drive and you get off the bus right in front of the stadium. From Pamplona's train station, you take bus 16 until you arrive at Avenida de Zaragoza 105.
Images: BSR Agency
