England may have crashed out of the World Cup but Britain’s football cities offer fans the chance to step beyond the final whistle into the heart of the beautiful game.
VisitBritain research shows around 81,000 Australians attend a live sporting event during their UK trip each year, with football the most popular by far among international travellers.
Manchester is often called English football’s capital. It is home to the largest football memorabilia collection in the world at the National Football Museum and two of England’s most famous clubs.
Home of Manchester City, the Etihad Stadium offers players’ tunnel tours and pitch-side access, while Old Trafford’s immersive Theatre of Dreams experience takes fans behind the scenes at Manchester United.
London is home to six Premier League clubs and Wembley Stadium. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium offers the Dare Skywalk and underground F1 Drive Experience alongside its stadium tour.
Chelsea, Arsenal and other clubs all offer behind-the-scenes access to dressing rooms and players’ tunnels. Fans of Ted Lasso can also join a dedicated tour through West London filming locations.
Liverpool draws fans on pilgrimage to Anfield, one of the most recognisable football grounds in the world, with immersive stadium tours and museum experiences celebrating Liverpool FC’s history. Everton’s historic Goodison Park also offers behind-the-scenes tours.
Wrexham has been put firmly on the tourism map by the global rise of Wrexham AFC, as highlighted in the documentary series featuring Hollywood co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
The new Museum of Two Halves and the Racecourse Ground, the world’s oldest international football stadium still in use, are must-visits.
Glasgow is home to one of football’s most famous rivalries between Celtic and Rangers, with Ibrox Stadium tours and the Scottish Football Museum at Hampden Park telling the story of Scotland’s influence on the global game.
