The Ultimate Premier League Match Day Travel Guide

The Premier League is the most-watched football league in the world, broadcast in 188 countries and drawing fans from every continent to English stadiums each season. Whether you're travelling from Nigeria, Jamaica, the USA or Australia to watch a match — or making your first trip to a ground you've watched on television for years — this guide covers everything you need to know.

Getting Tickets: The Honest Truth

The biggest challenge facing international visitors — and worth being completely honest about. Getting tickets to see the biggest clubs (Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham) as a non-member is genuinely difficult. Most Premier League clubs operate a membership scheme giving supporters priority access. Walk-up availability at the box office is rare for top-six clubs.

Official routes: Join the club's membership scheme (typically £15–£50/year). For less popular matches (midweek games, lower-table opposition), availability is better. Check the official club website in the week of the match for late releases.

Third-party platforms: Viagogo, StubHub and Ticketmaster Fan-to-Fan are legal resale platforms. Prices are typically 2–5× face value for high-demand fixtures. Always verify you're buying the correct section (home vs away) to avoid being turned away at the gate.

Stadium tours: If you can't get match tickets, every Premier League ground offers behind-the-scenes tours covering dressing rooms, the tunnel and pitch-side access. Old Trafford, Anfield, the Emirates and Stamford Bridge all run excellent tours. Book in advance.

Where to Stay

London clubs: Stay in central London and use the tube. Arsenal's Emirates is two minutes from Holloway Road; Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has its own transport infrastructure; Stamford Bridge is at Fulham Broadway on the District line.

Manchester: Both grounds within easy reach of the city centre. The Etihad (Man City) is a short Metrolink tram ride; Old Trafford (Man United) has its own Metrolink stop. Stay in the Northern Quarter for the best dining and nightlife.

Liverpool: Both Anfield (LFC) and Goodison/Everton Stadium are in north Liverpool, reachable by Merseyrail or bus from the waterfront city centre.

The Match Day Experience

Arrive at least 90 minutes before kick-off for your first visit. This gives you time to absorb the atmosphere, find your seat, buy a programme (a genuine piece of match day heritage), and have a drink. Stadium pubs near top grounds are extremely busy — the earlier you arrive, the better.

Food inside Premier League grounds has improved dramatically. Most stadiums serve proper pies, craft beer and hot food. Prices are high — expect £6 for a pie, £5 for a pint — but this is part of the experience. Stand throughout if you're in an active home end; Premier League crowds are vocal, engaged and usually on their feet.

Getting to the Ground

Public transport is almost always the best option on match days. Parking near Premier League grounds is limited, expensive and subject to match day restrictions. Every stadium provides clear transport guidance on its official website. The Tube, Metrolink and Merseyrail are all extended and staffed for major fixtures.

Beyond the Match: Making a Weekend of It

Every Premier League city rewards more than football. A Liverpool trip pairs perfectly with the Beatles Story museum and the Albert Dock food scene. Manchester's Ancoats and Northern Quarter are among the best neighbourhoods for eating and drinking in England. For London — the whole city is on your doorstep.

Consider booking for a midweek fixture — flights and hotels are significantly cheaper Tuesday–Wednesday, and Champions League or Europa League nights in English grounds are often the most electric atmospheric experiences in European football.