Betis and Real Sociedad hail from opposite ends of the Iberian Peninsula. The former is from Andalusia, Spain's southernmost province, known for its hot summers and slow-paced life. La Real is in the heart of the Basque Country, in the rainy city of San Sebastian on Spain's northern coast.

Following an internal split from Sevilla FC, another club was formed, Betis Football Club. In 1914, they merged with Sevilla Balompi. The club received its royal patronage in the same year, and therefore adopted the name Real Betis Balompi.