Football
A football trip to England: Manchester, Liverpool and London
Three o’clock on a Saturday, scarves, pies and pints. A football trip to England is the dream trip for many fans. Here are the cities, the stadiums, ticket advice and the hotels we recommend.
Three o’clock on a Saturday afternoon in England is a small piece of cultural history. All over the country people pour into stadiums with scarves, pies and pints, and for the next two hours the towns stand still. For many fans, a football trip to England is the dream trip, and it has never been easier to make.
The links to the hotels are partner links. If you book through them, Picolo may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Short answer: where to go on a football trip
Manchester: City and United, with Haaland at the Etihad.
Liverpool: Anfield and Everton’s new stadium by the river.
London: Wembley, Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea.
Manchester and Liverpool are around an hour apart by train, so you can see two matches in one weekend.
The hotels we recommend
Manchester: King Street Townhouse. See rooms at King Street Townhouse
Liverpool: Titanic Hotel. See rooms at Titanic Hotel
London: Kimpton Fitzroy. See rooms at Kimpton Fitzroy
The cities
Manchester
The capital of football, with two of the world’s biggest clubs and the National Football Museum. Read our guides to a football trip to Manchester and stadium tours in Manchester.
Liverpool
The city where football and music go hand in hand, with Anfield, Everton and the Beatles. Read our guide to a football trip to Liverpool.
London
Many clubs, the national stadium and a great city around them. Read our guide to a football trip to London.
The Etihad Stadium in Manchester.
How to get tickets
Become a member: Most big clubs sell tickets to members first.
Buy officially: Use the club’s own channels or approved packages with hotel and ticket.
Be flexible: Cup ties and matches against less glamorous opponents are easier to get into.
Be sceptical: Resale without guarantees is a common trap.
Match day
An English match day starts long before kick-off. Find a pub near the stadium a couple of hours before, where the fans gather, and get into the stand in good time to catch the songs. After the final whistle the pubs fill up again, and the debate can last well into the evening.
Getting there
There are direct flights to both Manchester and London from many European cities. From Manchester it is around an hour by train to Liverpool, so the two cities are easy to combine on one trip.
When to go
The season runs from August to May. The Christmas period is especially popular, with many matches in a short time and Christmas markets in the cities.
Add a stadium tour
If you cannot get a match ticket, a tour is a good alternative. You see the dressing rooms, the tunnel and the stands, and the museums tell each club’s story.
The National Football Museum in Manchester.
Frequently asked questions about a football trip to England
Which city is best for a football trip to England?
Manchester for the big clubs, Liverpool for the atmosphere and London for the most matches.
How do you get Premier League tickets?
Through club memberships and official channels, or through approved travel packages.
Can you see two matches in one weekend?
Yes, especially in Manchester and Liverpool, which are around an hour apart by train.