Girona, Spain – A vibrant atmosphere and a record crowd of 5,532 packed Fontajau arena this past Saturday to witness Bàsquet Girona’s hard-fought 93-95 loss to Real Madrid. The attendance figure marks a new high for the club and underscores the growing support for the team since renovations increased the arena’s capacity last fall.
The expansion, completed in late September, boosted Fontajau’s seating from 5,200 to 5,600, allowing for increased fan turnout this season. This surge in attendance isn’t limited to marquee matchups. Bàsquet Girona has surpassed the 5,300-spectator mark in eight of their thirteen home Liga ACB games this season. Before the arena upgrades, reaching those numbers was simply impossible.
The game against Real Madrid wasn’t just about the basketball; it was a celebration of the club’s growing popularity. Fans witnessed a thrilling contest, punctuated by a three-pointer from Pep Busquets, a contested drive by Otis Livingston, clutch free throws from Abalde and a crucial turnover by Derek Needham. Every moment of the game was experienced live by a record number of supporters.
Bàsquet Girona’s loyal fanbase has consistently shown up throughout the 2025-2026 season. Beyond the Real Madrid game, the derby against Lleida drew 5,478 fans, and the match against Barcelona attracted 5,427. Strong attendance figures were also recorded for games against Bilbao (5,361), Baskonia (5,313), Burgos (5,102), Granada (5,016), and Unicaja (5,011). In each of these contests, over five thousand spectators filled the stands.
Only a handful of games saw attendance dip below the 5,000 mark: Breogán (4,987), Andorra (4,734), Gran Canaria (4,672), Tenerife (4,669), and UCAM (4,356), which remains the lowest attendance of the season. Despite those slightly smaller crowds, the overall trend is undeniably upward.
Through thirteen home games, Fontajau has hosted a total of 65,658 spectators, resulting in an average attendance of 5,051 per game. With several home games still remaining on the schedule – including matchups against Valencia Bàsquet, Casademont Zaragoza, Baxi Manresa, and Joventut de Badalona – there’s potential to further increase these numbers and perhaps even break the recently set attendance record.
The growing success of Bàsquet Girona is deeply intertwined with the vision of Marc Gasol, the club’s founder. Gasol, a former NBA player who previously played for CB Girona between 2006 and 2008, established the club in 2014. The team’s ascent from youth categories to the Liga ACB is a testament to his commitment and the passion of the local community.
In September, the Girona City Council approved an expanded usage agreement for Fontajau, solidifying the club’s presence in the city for the 2025-2026 season and paving the way for a future long-term concession. The agreement grants Bàsquet Girona exclusive use of the main court while the City Council maintains management of the auxiliary court. The merger between Bàsquet Girona and Uni has further expanded the club’s fanbase, reinforcing the directive led by Marc Gasol to expand Fontajau’s capacity.
Currently, the club aims to increase capacity to 6,000 seats, having already reached 5,600 with the installation of prefabricated modules. These are steps towards continued growth, with Gasol’s long-term vision including the construction of a new, dedicated arena for the club. Bàsquet Girona’s official website provides further details on the club’s history and future plans.
The success on the court, coupled with the unwavering support of the fans, is creating a special atmosphere in Girona. Pep Busquets, a Spanish professional basketball player for Bàsquet Girona, continues to be a key contributor, showcasing his versatility as both a guard and a forward. According to his Wikipedia page, Busquets was born on March 2, 1999, and stands at 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m).
The team’s next challenge comes against Valencia Bàsquet at Fontajau. Fans can expect another electric atmosphere as Bàsquet Girona continues its pursuit of success in the Liga ACB. The game will be a crucial test for the team as they look to build on their recent performances and solidify their position in the league standings.
Bàsquet Girona’s story is one of ambition, community, and a growing passion for basketball. The record crowd at Fontajau is a symbol of that passion, and a sign of exciting things to come for the club and its dedicated fans.
What are your thoughts on Bàsquet Girona’s impressive fan support? Share your comments below and let us know what you think of the team’s future prospects!
