Athletic Club was founded in 1898 in Bilbao, the largest city in the Basque Country, Spain. It is one of the oldest football clubs in Spain and a founding member of La Liga in 1929. Athletic is renowned for its unique Basque-only player policy, recruiting only players native to or trained in the Basque region. The club has enjoyed great domestic success, particularly in the early 20th century. It has won 8 La Liga titles and 24 Copa del Rey trophies, making it one of Spain's most successful clubs. Athletic’s golden era came in the 1930s and 1980s, with notable league triumphs and Copa del Rey wins.

Athletic Club has never been relegated from La Liga, sharing this distinction with only Real Madrid and Barcelona. Its home stadium, San Mamés, often called La Catedral, is considered sacred ground for Spanish football. The club holds a strong identity rooted in Basque culture, tradition, and community, and continues to be a symbol of regional pride. Despite modern football's global trends, Athletic remains committed to its historic principles and local player development.