How to Make the Most of Your London Football Trip

Tottenham Hotspur FC, otherwise known as Spurs, have long been known as cup specialists who pride themselves on playing an entertaining brand football that promises lots of goals. Spurs made history in the 1960-61 season, becoming the first team to win both domestic cup competitions in the same season. One year later, they became the first British club to win a European club competition, beating Atlético Madrid 2-1 in the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup final. And yes, we're a little biased towards Spurs as we are their official accommodation partner.

For years they played at White Hart Lane but knocked it down to build The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which opened in 2019. With a capacity of over 62,000, this incredible, state-of-the-art stadium is the largest club ground in London. It’s walking distance from White Hart Lane train station, which was also renovated at the same time as the football ground. It’s fully wheelchair accessible and has a host of cafés and restaurants nearby.

Chelsea FC has always been one of the biggest teams in West London, but their status in world football grew significantly in 2003 when Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich bought the club. Thanks to his huge investment, Chelsea grew into one of the best teams in Europe. They won 5 league titles in the Abramovich era, plus the UEFA Champions League – the greatest crown of them all – in 2012.

Chelsea’s ground, Stamford Bridge, is in the borough of Fulham in West London. It’s been their home since the club’s founding in 1877, although frequent renovations have ensured it’s one of the finest stadiums in the UK. You can reach Chelsea’s home ground from Fulham Broadway station on the District Line.

Arsenal are one of the most successful and popular teams in London, with several records and title successes. They have won every domestic honour on multiple occasions. In the early 2000s, Arsenal’s French-influenced team achieved the incredible feat of going a whole season unbeaten to win the league and be forever remembered as “The Invincibles”.

The team plays their home matches at the 60,000-capacity Emirates Stadium in Highbury, North London. The stadium opened in 2006, replacing the much smaller Highbury Stadium, where Arsenal had played for 93 years. Arsenal station on the Piccadilly Line is the closest subway station to The Emirates Stadium, but you can also take the Victoria Line to Highbury & Islington, which is around a 10-minute walk away and is far less crowded.

Following Tottenham’s move to their new home ground in 2019, the whole area around White Hart Lane station has been gentrified and you can now find a host of restaurants, pubs and cafés to grab a bite to eat. All along Tottenham High Road, you can find food and drinks from every corner of the globe.

For a bit more atmosphere, The Bricklayers is full of songs on match days and wall-to-wall white and blue. They even have numbered seats taken from Spurs’ old ground, which is a nice touch for all Tottenham fans.

The Coach and Horses is another boozer that’s known for a lively atmosphere and friendly banter before kick-off. It’s easy to find on Tottenham High Road, making it a popular meeting spot.

The Chelsea Pensioner is an old-fashioned boozer on Fulham Road, within kicking distance of Stamford Bridge. It gets extremely busy on match days, but there’s nowhere better if you’re looking for some buzz before the game.

The Famous 3 Kings is a huge pub next to West Kensington subway station. Head here for food and drinks before the Chelsea match. You can enjoy a game of pool and watch all the latest sports news on the big screen TVs.

McGettigans Fulham is a fun Irish bar on Fulham Broadway that’s a convenient place to grab some drinks before or after the game. As it’s right on the high street and easy to find, it makes a popular meeting spot for large groups to meet up before heading to Stamford Bridge.

To enjoy a few drinks with your mates before an Arsenal game, head to The Gunners Pub on Blackstock Road in Highbury. This no-nonsense boozer is awash with red and white on match days. You can join in with the songs and chat about the upcoming opposition in friendly company, although it can get a little rowdy.

If you’re looking for something a little more relaxed, El Commandante is a popular spot serving great food that’s just a 2-minute walk from The Emirates Stadium.

If you’re travelling to London to watch a game of Premier League or UEFA football, you can still find time to visit some interesting attractions that are peppered across the capital.

The London Eye, set on the cultural stretch of the South Bank, is a giant silver-white Ferris wheel that gives you an excellent view over the city during a 45-minute trip 153 metres into the sky.

London is one of the fashion capitals of the world so a trip to the department stores along Oxford Street and the nearby fashion hotspot of Carnaby Street is a fantastic way to stock up on the latest must-have items. Start your retail adventure from Oxford Circus station.

In North London, Camden Market is a hotspot of counterculture in London. Fans of street food, music, fashion, and art will find what they’re looking for here. It’s only minutes from Arsenal’s and Spurs’ football stadiums.

To stay on the football theme, you could also join a behind-the-scenes football stadium tour. Most Premier League clubs offer informative guided tours, but Tottenham's Guided Spurs Stadium Tour is among the best. You get to visit the changing rooms, managers office and VIP boxes. There's even the chance to climb 46 metres above the pitch to walk along a glass walkway.    

No matter if your team won or lost, the bright lights of London shine brightly throughout the night.

In the mood to celebrate? Take the trip across town to Shoreditch in East London and make a night of it by bar-hopping down Brick Lane and finishing the evening with a curry from one of the many esteemed Indian and Bangladeshi restaurants found here.

For a more relaxed evening, head to London’s South Bank. Walk along the Thames and stop at any bar or restaurant that takes your fancy. For a drink with a serious view, head to Bar Elba rooftop bar. Take the Tube to Waterloo or the river bus to London Eye Waterloo pier.

If you’re travelling as a family, you could watch a show at one of London’s many theatres. You’ll find musicals and dramas suitable for the whole family in London’s West End.

If the whistle blows but you’re stranded without a ticket, head for one of these sports bars and pubs in London to watch all the action on a big screen surrounded by other football fans.

The Freemasons Arms in Covent Garden is a tourist-friendly pub that has a long affiliation with the beautiful game as this is where they wrote down the original version of the Football Rules. The pub is a hive of activity during big matches and is just a stone’s throw from London’s top attractions like Trafalgar Square, The National Gallery and London’s Chinatown.

Bar Kick is a fun place to watch football in trendy East London. Close to Old Street station in Shoreditch, this kitsch pub has foosball tables and loads of scarves and flags from years gone by decorating the walls. It’s a top spot for groups of mates to enjoy the match. There are several big-screen TVs, so you’ll have a good angle to watch the match, even on packed days.

Any self-respecting football fan in London should be kitted out with their favourite team’s football jersey and scarf. It makes the walk towards the stadium that much more fun as you join in the chants and soak up the jovial atmosphere. You'll find a club shop connected to every major football stadium where you’ll find a full range of gear for kids and adults. The largest of these is The Tottenham Experience at Spurs' home ground.

If you’re looking to buy something before you get to the match, Central London has plenty of shopping options for picking up football-related items. One place to go is Lillywhites next to Piccadilly Circus. This 6-storey sporting goods store stocks the jersey of every team in London and beyond. You can also personalise your clothes with your name and a number printed on the back – a nice touch for special occasions.

For excellent value, look for the nearest Sports Direct. You can find outlets all over London. They might not stock every team’s colours, but the prices are hard to beat.