Chaos and joy took over the streets of San Sebastián on an unforgettable evening. Around 100,000 people packed the Alderdi Eder gardens, right in front of the City Hall, to celebrate the fourth Copa del Rey title won by Real Sociedad the previous Saturday. After the triumph in Seville against Atlético de Madrid, the txuri-urdin spirit exploded into a collective frenzy, with not a single inch of space left between the beach sand and the municipal building’s railings. The atmosphere sent shivers down spines, with thousands of scarves waving in the wind, eagerly waiting to catch a glimpse of their heroes and reliving the final penalty kick by Pablo Marín or the saves by Unai Marrero.
Around 100,000 people celebrated Real Sociedad’s Copa del Rey title in Donostia.
Javi Colmenero
The mastermind from the bench, Pellegrino Matarazzo, received one of the biggest ovations from a fan base that recognizes him as the perfect conductor for this title. He signed photos and jerseys, took pictures—becoming a new idol for the supporters. The coach managed to mold a team that plays by memory and showed in La Cartuja that they have an immense heart. As players appeared on the balcony to present the trophy to the sea of white and blue, it was clear that the bond between the team and the city is stronger than ever. This is not just another trophy; it’s confirmation that this project has ironclad foundations.
Real Sociedad’s open-top bus paraded through the streets of Donostia.
Javi Colmenero
The celebration turned into an explosion of joy as soon as the bus emerged through the downtown streets. It was catharsis. Seeing children, parents, and grandparents crying with happiness while wearing the jersey is exactly what explains what Real means to this region. The festivities matched the achievement on the pitch—no forced script, just people enjoying what belongs to them after years of waiting and a deep desire to taste silverware again. The team also won in 2021, but without fans present. Too much pent-up emotion.
Real Sociedad coach Pellegrino Matarazzo was one of the most celebrated figures by the fans.
Javi Colmenero
The team bus left Anoeta at 6:00 PM and followed a route through Avenida de Madrid, Pío XII, Sancho el Sabio, Plaza del Centenario, Urbieta, Avenida de la Libertad, Okendo, and Boulevard, finally reaching Ijentea Street just after 7:00 PM. Once there, dancers Claudia Erentxun and Josu Sagardia performed an Aurresku of honor on the staircase, accompanied by the Municipal Txistularis Band. In front of them stood captain Mikel Oyarzabal, lehendakari Imanol Pradales, deputy general Eider Mendoza, mayor Jon Insausti, and president Jokin Aperribay, flanked by the rest of the squad and staff before entering the reception hall.
Mikel Oyarzabal, Unai Marrero, and Caleta-Car on the balcony of San Sebastián’s City Hall.
Arnaitz Rubio
Mayor Jon Insausti made his feelings clear, as he told AS: “I am the happiest mayor in the entire world, and this is now the happiest city on the planet.” He had always been convinced that the Copa would come to Donostia: “We had everything so perfectly organized to live this moment that we already had an internal hope that nothing would stop us. The dream has come true, and the Copa is ours.”