Lonely PlanetJul 14, 2026
How to experience football in England like a local
With 65,000 traveling fans during the World Cup and record-breaking numbers of fans tuning in, football means more to the English.
23 things in this story
- Aston VillaSightClub traced back to the foundation of the English Football League.
- Villa ParkSightStadium in Aston, Birmingham, for Premier League football.
- Birmingham CitySightPlays in the Championship at St Andrew's Stadium.
- St Andrew’s StadiumSightHome stadium for Birmingham City.
- Elsewhere
- Old Trafford StadiumSightManchester, United KingdomHome ground of Manchester United FC, offers stadium tours.
- Premier LeaguePlaceLondon, United KingdomWorld's richest football tournament, hosts top teams.
- English Football LeaguePlaceLondon, United KingdomOldest football league in the world, founded in 1881.
- ArsenalMetro stationLondon, United KingdomTop Premier League team with passionate fans.
- ChelseaSuburbLondon, United KingdomTop Premier League team, plays at Stamford Bridge.
- Manchester CitySightManchester, United KingdomTeam on the ascendancy with an emerging entertainment hub stadium.
- Manchester UnitedSightManchester, United KingdomHuge football team with a famous stadium, Old Trafford.
- Tottenham HotspurSightLondon, United KingdomNorth London team with a 62,850-seat stadium.
- Queen Elizabeth Olympic ParkParkLondon, United KingdomPark includes London Stadium, playgrounds, trails, gardens.
- London StadiumSightLondon, United KingdomHosts concerts, sporting meets, and West Ham United FC matches.
- Emirates StadiumSightLondon, United KingdomHome ground for Arsenal, replaced Highbury ground.
- Tottenham Hotspur StadiumSightLondon, United KingdomHub for American football, replaced White Hart Lane.
- Hillsborough StadiumSightSheffield, United KingdomHome stadium for Sheffield Wednesday FC.
- Hillsborough ParkParkSheffield, United KingdomBoasts lovely hilltop views, hosts Tramlines music festival.
- EtihadSightManchester, United KingdomStadium for Manchester City.
- National Football MuseumMuseumManchester, United KingdomCharts the evolution of football, housed in a glass building.
- Anfield StadiumMuseumLiverpool, United KingdomHome stadium for Liverpool FC.
- St James' ParkSightNewcastle-upon-Tyne, United KingdomHome stadium for Newcastle United Football Club.
- Stadium of LightSightSunderland, United KingdomHome stadium for Sunderland AFC, set beside the River Wear.