If you’re into football, then one of the best ways to experience this game is in person. While gathering together with friends at home to watch an event can be a lot of fun, nothing quite beats the delight of rubbing shoulders with a crowd of like-minded sports fans. This is where going to see a game live at the stadium comes to the fore.
Of course, it’s not quite easy as just that. There are many things to consider when you decide to watch a football game live. We’re going to go through a few of the major points you should be considering when preparing for such a trip.
Purchasing Tickets
The first thing you need to be doing is getting your tickets for the event. This can be the hardest part as it’s where the most logistics and decisions come into play. For instance, you need to pick your team, choose whether to watch them home or away, determine the weekend you can travel, which city you’re going to be in, and where you want to sit in the stadium.
Many of these factors will also impact the price of the ticket, so you will need to consider just how much you are willing to pay for the experience. Speaking of budgeting, where you go may also require additional expenses, such as transport or accommodation to be factored in, as well.
Where to Sit in the Stadium
Let’s assume you’ve already determined where you’re going, which city you’re in and whether it’s a home or away game. The next step is to look in detail at the stadium. Each stadium is different, which does bring up the question of which one to watch a game in. Depending on the football experience you’re looking for, some football stadiums offer a more immersive feel with sheer seating and great acoustics. Others, like Wembley, are prestigious and can hold a huge capacity of fans – a feeling that isn’t easily replicated in other venues.
With this in mind, you should also be thinking about where to sit. The higher up and further back you are, the cheaper the tickets. You may not be able to afford closer ones. Additionally, there are some angles where viewing the pitch isn’t ideal. If you want a clear view of the whole game, you’re better off sitting to the side and as close to the central line as possible. These are more expensive than sitting behind the goals, so it’s worth considering carefully.
Where to Buy Your Tickets
Once you’ve determined where it is you’re going to sit and your budget, you need to get these tickets. There are many places you can buy tickets. Many clubs sell tickets for their games directly through their websites. There are also licensed ticketing sites, such as Go Sport Travel, which you can check out here. They sell licensed tickets, guaranteeing you top prices and great views.
Be aware that there are fraudulent sites out there. If you purchase your live football ticket from one such site, you will most likely be in for a bit of a disappointment. This is because they’re often the same tickets sold numerous times. Arriving at the venue may mean not getting in. Similarly, you should always be prepared when you do go to the stadium and have your ticket ready. Don’t buy from touts outside as these are likely fake tickets. In the run-up to your game, don’t share photos of your tickets online either. If you do, someone can copy the ticket number or identifying features of the ticket thus stealing your tickets out from under you.
Practical Preparation
Finally, you should be considering all the practical aspects of visiting a stadium and watching a live football game. Depending on which country you’re in, you may find that there is often inclement weather on the cards. Make sure you’ve got warm clothes, wet weather gear or even sunscreen as the occasion dictates. Football games go on for a minimum of 90 minutes, and that’s not including over time or any potential penalties. You want to be comfortable for the duration of the game, which means being prepared in the way you dress.
A live football game is a lot of fun, as long as you’re prepared. If you follow the steps outlined above, then you should be in for a really great time. As with many things, preparation and planning is key to having a good time. Leave it all until the last minute, and you may find that your trip is rather ruined. Check the stadium, weather, city in advance, before buying your ticket from a reputable site, and you’ll have a great time.