Movistar and VML THE COCKTAIL present San Mamés as “The Cathedral” of European football

900 hours and 1,500 hand-cut glass pieces defined its visual perfection, exalting Athletic Club stadium known as “The Cathedral”. Its aesthetic was flawlessly replicated across standard outdoor formats, transforming urban landscapes into cultural landmarks, not fleeting ads.

Movistar Blessed San Mames Case DEF OK
I can’t think of a better brand in this country to pay homage to San Mamés, the Cathedral. Movistar has brought football to every home in a much more exciting way. We owe them the historical chronicle of our football.

Vito Reig

Executive Creative Director at VML THE COCKTAIL

Locked out of a UEFA final, Movistar ("Home of Football") risked irrelevance. Our creative challenge was to elevate Movistar as a unique ally to local football culture, rejecting impersonal AI by designing an unforgettable experience for the Basque market.

If San Mamés Stadium was known as "The Cathedral," we’d give the sacred football experience only locals feel, culminating in the design and creation of the first stained-glass window dedicated to a football saint.

Defying conventional boundaries, our breakthrough thinking transformed Bilbao into a sacred brand environment: a physical 'Cathedral' for football. San Mamés stadium, known locally as "The Cathedral" for its near-religious significance to Athletic Club fans, was the inspiration. Faced with a rival's stadium exclusivity, and rejecting impersonal AI, the core idea was unveiling the world's first stained-glass masterpiece dedicated to a footballing saint – an unexpected, human-crafted monument.

This immediately evoked profound surprise and continuously captivated attention. It powerfully showcased Movistar’s unparalleled understanding of the local culture and deep reverence for San Mamés, cementing its relevance as 'The Home of Football' to its target audience: passionate football fans in Bilbao. The work transcended the original challenge, permanently embedding Movistar within the very 'Cathedral' it was barred from, creating an enduring cultural artifact that speaks directly to the community's soul.

This immersive experience successfully improved brand health and changed consumer behaviour. Generating 17M impressions, 49 times the population of Bilbao. We achieved 5x more impact thanks to earned media. The campaign led the Athletic Club President to request the masterpiece for "The Cathedral" stadium, cementing Movistar’s emotional bond and preference, turning a lockout into a permanent legacy.

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Awards

2026 Premios Nacionales de Creatividad

2026 Premios Nacionales de Creatividad

Craft - Art direction


Silver

2026 Premios Nacionales de Creatividad

2026 Premios Nacionales de Creatividad

Strategy - Low budget


Annuary

2026 Premios Nacionales de Creatividad

2026 Premios Nacionales de Creatividad

Idea - Telecom


Annuary