I found myself one evening in a small bar named Néstor, located in the historic quarter of San Sebastián. It’s a modest place, yet it serves one of the finest steaks and tomato salads in the world—so good, it could cure hiccups. If you’ve never been there, I strongly recommend a visit.

It was there that I ran into Jokin Aperribay, President of Real Sociedad.

– “Hey Jokin, how are you? Tomato and steak?” I asked.

Jokin and I go way back—we were desk mates at school. Arístegui and Aperribay, seated alphabetically. We completed our entire schooling together.

That night, he shared something unexpected:

– “There’s an opportunity to bring top-tier rugby to Anoeta. Not just a club match or the Top 14. Something more. I had a meeting in Paris with Serge Blanco, and we discussed the idea of hosting a test match between the All Blacks and France in Anoeta to inaugurate the new stadium.”

– “Excuse me?! Are you serious?”

And that’s how it all began.

There had been similar ideas in the past, but the scale and ambition of a test match like All Blacks vs. France is entirely different. The connection between Real Sociedad and the world of rugby was the missing link—the final piece of the puzzle.

I then spoke with Alfonso Feijóo, President of the Spanish Rugby Federation. I suspect I wore him down a bit, constantly bringing up the test match. Still, every conversation ended the same way:

– “So, Alfonso, should I keep pushing?”

– “Yes, Aitor, please, keep pushing.”

Alfonso is a tremendous leader. Spanish rugby has been fortunate to have him guiding its restoration and growth.

Later, my colleague and coach at Kreab Alcobendas, Eugenio Martínez—who has done a great deal for Spanish rugby—shared with me the success of the first Rugby Think Tank he organized in Madrid.

That same day, I shared with him the vision: a project that could place Spanish rugby firmly on the global map. A project that would give our sport visibility. A project that would mark a turning point.

The first call I made was to my first rugby club—the one where I grew up. Like a first kiss, you never forget your first team: Bera Bera Rugby Taldea. They had recently hosted the European Golden Oldies Rugby (EGOR) tournament with great success.

Then I reached out to Iñaki Laskurain, President of the Basque Rugby Federation—more than a friend. We had played together at Atlético San Sebastián, and later faced each other (in very intense matches) when I was with Real Canoe and he with Getxo.

I also contacted Iñaki Otegi, General Manager at Real Sociedad, and José Mari Epalza, former IRB member and part of the Executive Committee of European Rugby.

Their support gave the project credibility and a solid foundation.

From there, the work began. Presentations, sleepless nights (or no sleep at all), and endless hope that everyone would be able to attend the match.

This is rugby. And as we’ve learned throughout our lives, progress comes when we move forward together, united, pushing in the same direction. Everyone rallied behind the vision.

The objective was clear: attract investors from outside the traditional rugby world. Build loyalty with brands. Find a bold investor willing to back the Rugby Challenge DSS and help transform it into an annual event.

Now, just three days after the project’s official launch, several first-class investors and brands have expressed serious interest in aligning themselves with the values of rugby. And this is just the beginning.

To those who don’t yet know us—they don’t know our determination. They don’t know the strength of our unity. They don’t know that we never look back. We only move forward.

Honesty. Sacrifice. Respect. These are not just values—they are part of our DNA.

In 2019, the new Anoeta Stadium will have a capacity of 45,000 seats—the minimum required to host the All Blacks. But even before then, rest assured: rugby will be coming to San Sebastián.