Groundhopping
If you want to describe watching football games at several different venues with one word, use “groundhopping”. The trend of travelling the globe to visit cities to catch games at different stadiums is ever growing. Fans love to combine groundhopping with soaking in local culture and atmosphere as they go.
If you would have to choose one city to visit to dive deep into groundhopping, it is London. To be honest, the number of clubs that call London home is a bit crazy. Therefore, the options for groundhopping in beautiful London is mindboggling.
Do you enjoy watching matches between elite clubs like Arsenal and Chelsea or do you prefer lower-tier teams like Millwall or Charlton? It doesn’t matter – in London there is something for every groundhopper out there. The stadiums around the city are conveniently positioned close to one another. Maybe the people who decided that are groundhoppers themselves? Are you only in London for the weekend? Great. The infrastructure in the city makes it possible to see a lot of games in just a couple of days. It’s all about proper preparation beforehand. Fan club stores, pubs rooting for a certain team and street vendors selling anything from gadget to t-shirts and scarves, you name it – London has it. The city doesn’t care if you are a novice or and experienced groundhopper, you will feel a city that breathes football no matter what.
London – the best groundhopping destination
Here are some reasons why London is such a great destination for groundhoppers:
- The variety of clubs and stadiums – Arsenal and Tottenham are both well performing clubs on a professional level. But have you heard of Alexandra Park? The non-league side is the oldest amateur club in the world and only one of many amateur clubs in London. Each club has their own unique history, character, culture and stadium. This makes London a great destination for fans who want to experience all English football, not just the elite teams.
- The quality of the football – Every season, clubs from London compete at the highest level of English football, including the Premier League and the Champions League. The clubs with the most titles are Arsenal and Chelsea, but there are other sides from the capital whose trophy rooms are well filled. When it comes to Arsenal and Chelsea visitors can expect to see some of the best football players in the world such as Saka, Odegaard, João Felix or Kanté.
- The matchday atmosphere – if you love passionate and vocal fans bases, then look no further. London clubs are knowns for hosting matches with unique and lively atmosphere. Arsenal and Tottenham often have amazing atmosphere at their huge stadiums, but don’t sleep on the atmosphere at Crystal Palace or West Ham United games. The atmosphere there is second to none.
- The history and culture – a lot of clubs in London were founded in the late 10th or early 20th century, a fact that points out just how rich the city’s football history really is. The history is reflected in the architecture and design of many of the city’s stadiums. Sometimes old, sometimes worn-out seats and sometimes steep stands very close to the pitch. That is charm for you. The fans still sing old-fashioned classical anthems and chants from back in the day.
With so much to see and experience, it’s no wonder that London is considered one of the best groundhopping destinations in the world.
Here are some tips for groundhopping in London:
- Plan your itinerary – With so many clubs and stadiums in London, it’s important to plan your itinerary carefully to make the most of your time. Consider the location of each stadium and the time it takes to travel between them.
- Buy tickets in advance – It’s always a good idea to buy tickets in advance to avoid disappointment, especially for popular matches. You can purchase tickets safely from www.footballbreak.co.uk/
to make sure that you enjoy an experience like this. - Explore the city – London has many attractions beyond football, so take the opportunity to explore the city while you’re there. Visit museums, galleries and other landmarks, and experience the local food and culture.
- Respect the fans and the culture – Football is a passionate sport, and fans can be very loyal to their clubs. Respect the fans and the culture of each club, and don’t engage in any behavior that could be seen as disrespectful or disruptive.
Top clubs for groundhopping in London
Arsenal – The Emirates Stadium
The modern Emirates Stadium can host up to 60,000 spectators. The stadium’s superb sight lines make for a pleasant and exciting game day experience. The architecture of the stadium is noteworthy as well, reflecting both Arsenal’s past and present in its design.
What about the team? Arsenal if known for playing offensive and lively football. It’s been a while, but this season Arsenal is back in contention for the Premier League title. If you catch a game at Emirates Stadium you will get to experience players like Saka, Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus.
Chelsea FC – Stamford Bridge
Here you have one of the oldest and most famous venues in English football. When you visit Stamford Bridge, you will enjoy that loud and charismatic home crowd. Famous landmarks like Shed End and the Matthew Harding Stand are only two of the stadium’s distinctive architectural characteristics. Simply a legendary football stadium and a legendary football club. Ngolo Kanté, João Felix and Enzo Fernandez, do those names ring a bell? No wonder, they are just three of the amazing players in this Chelsea squad.
Tottenham Hotspur – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Dedicated fan base? Check. Entertaining football? Check. Big stars? Check. Add to that a hypermodern stadium, one of the world’s newest and most technologically equipped stadiums. Retractable field, cutting-edge LED lightning and a wide range of first-class amenities for both spectators and performers are just some of the qualities of this amazing stadium. Have you heard of the South Stand? If not, this area of the stadium takes inspiration from Liverpool’s iconic “Kop”. The volume and intensity coming from this stand is something else and something to experience live.
West Ham United – London Stadium
Remember the 2012 Summer Olympics? That was the event that London Stadium was constructed for. But 2012 was a while ago and nowadays the stadiums act as home ground for West Ham United. With its capacity of over 60,000 people, this stadium is one of the largest ones in Premier League. During matches, the stadium is very loud and a very entertaining place to be. The club hymn, “I’m forever blowing bubbles” is a classic that everyone needs to experience live.
Brentford – Gtech Community Stadium
Probably one of the most underrated stadiums to visit in London, if not in Europe. There is nothing like it when it comes to atmosphere, all thanks to the clubs enthusiastic and loud supporters.
The stadium was completed in 2020 and that makes it one of the newest and most technologically advanced stadiums in the UK. Coming here you will have a great game, not only thanks to the fans, but thanks to the stadiums outstanding design.
What about the team? Brentford overperforms year after year and will most likely reach the upper half of the Premier League table this season once everything is said and done.
Crystal Palace – Selhurst Park
If you want to experience one of the loudest fan bases in the world on a classic stadium, then look no further. Selhurst Park has been the home field of Crystal Palace since 1924. Here you will enjoy an intimate feeling because of the tight and electric stadium.
The vibe here is something else and you have to experience it live to soak it all in.
Fulham – Craven Cottage
The stadium’s classic architecture and riverbank surroundings provide for a magnificent backdrop for football matches. The stands of this stadium are situated quite near to the playing field, giving spectators a great view of the action.
While Fulham fans are well-known for their loyalty, the atmosphere at Craven Cottage is often quieter than at other Premier League venues. Fulham fans, on the other hand, like to create a more laid-back, family-friendly environment without resorting to loud yells and songs. Both home and away fans are warmly received by the club’s faithful, exemplifying the communal spirit of the organization.
In addition to the welcoming vibe, Fulham is well-known for its rich history and exciting, offensive brand of football. Supporters of the club take great pleasure in the team’s history and the distinctive “Fulhamish” style of play that has come to be associated with it.
Milwall – The Den
One of the most (in)famous teams in the world. Intensity and passion are what this club, and its fans, is all about. The Den is in the heart of South London and can accommodate over 20,000 fans.
The fans’ undying dedication and intense enthusiasm for the team also contribute to the electric environment. They are not passive bystanders but rather an integral part of the game, and their enthusiastic cheering may be both motivating and frightening to the other side. The second you enter the stadium; you’ll feel the electric atmosphere.
Millwall Football Club has a long tradition and is well-known for its aggressive and tenacious play. Any true football fan must see Millwall play in the Den at least once.
