⚽Football Travel

Football fans are well known for travelling the length and breadth of the country ‘Through the wind and rain’ and ‘Over land and sea’ to see their club. Many sites cover that and although it can be very costly membership schemes, supporters club coaches and independent travel allow regular travel, one off visits and curious eyes to investigate rarities or big games. It’s a wonderful tradition in the UK and beyond.

I also enjoy the less regular visits to iconic Clubs and Cities and find paring a match with a city break as one of my favourite ways to spend a weekend.

The giants of European and World football with their palatial stadia, old favourites and newer trendy sites always with something to explore and experience.

Homefans (see video below) are a major player in the more casual trips with a good range of club match day experiences, usually consisting of access to hard to find match day tickets (at a premium) a meet up prior to the game with locals and like minded tourists. They can help you get in safely, find the best pre match and post match atmosphere and generally get you in like a local. They also provide some longer trips with multiple games over the course of a week or ten days. I experienced two games on South America booked via them and they were very helpful with things like negotiating local stadium security registration and I had a great time. Local guides can be hit and miss and it’s worth pointing out that if you are able to organise this yourself you will likely save a lot of money.

As with much tourism today third party agencies can help but aren’t always necessary. Many clubs sell tickets direct over the internet, often with local transport included, do all you need to do is get there like any other break.

If you are looking for ultimate comfort and style at the higher end of the price range then many clubs will take your money for hospitality. Accounts such as “The Padded Seat” showcase many options.

I will expand this section, I have been lucky to travel to major tournaments and to visit many overseas games with favourites In Italy, France, Spain, Germany, USA and Australia. Sometimes the game surprises, sometimes the City does but there’s usually a good atmosphere, a party of some kind and something else to see.

One thing worth a mention is price gouging, FIFA are probably the worst example with the US World Cup setting new standards for pricing way above what we’ve seen before and what was promised. Going to major tournaments is always expensive and often a once in a lifetime thing but there are often packages across a range of prices but they have decided to take the absolute #£@_/? this time and probably worth avoiding.

Favourite: The San Siro in Milan. Gorgeous.

Where have you been? Where would you like to go?