| Season: | 2002–03 |
| Stadium: | San Mamés |
| Manager: | Jupp Heynckes |
| Mgrtitle: | Head coach |
| Chrtitle: | President |
| Chairman: | Javier Uría |
| League: | La Liga |
| League Result: | 7th |
| Cup1: | Copa del Rey |
| Cup1 Result: | Round of 32 |
| League Topscorer: | Joseba Etxeberria (14 goals)[1] |
| Season Topscorer: | Joseba Etxeberria Ismael Urzaiz (14 each) |
| Prevseason: | 2001–02 |
| Nextseason: | 2003–04 |
The 2002–03 season was the 102nd season in Athletic Bilbao's history and their 72nd consecutive season in La Liga, the top division of Spanish football.
In Jupp Heynckes's second season in charge, Athletic Bilbao made a slight improvement in the league, climbing from ninth to seventh place, their highest placing since finishing as runners-up in 1997 - 98.[2] They were eliminated from the Copa del Rey at the last 32 stage by Basque rivals Real Unión, who were ranked two divisions below Athletic, in Segunda División B.
Heynckes departed at the end of the season to take up the manager's role at Schalke 04 in his native Germany.[3] He was replaced by former Bilbao player Ernesto Valverde, who was promoted from coaching the B team.