The 6 best cities for die-hard soccer fanatics

If there’s one thing in this world that brings (almost all of) us together, it’s soccer. In just about every corner of the planet, you can walk up to someone and ask them their favorite team. Then watch as a huge, disarming grin beams across their face when they chime out “Chelsea!” or “Real Madrid!”

The game’s ability to unite is never more apparent than when you attend an actual match. On game day, a diverse, excited crowd descends upon their local stadium singing chants, waving team scarves and dipping into the tried-and-true pre-game bars. While catching a game can be thrilling just about anywhere, there are certain cities that deliver the ultimate soccer experience. These cities have iconic stadiums, world-class players, rabid fans and incomparable bar and pub scenes. If you’re a soccer fanatic, pull up the schedule for the home team in one of these six cities, and begin making your travel plans now:

El Clasico game at Camp Nou in Barcelona | Photo by Compass + Twine

Barcelona

The Spanish league (La Liga) really comes down to two giants: Real Madrid C.F and F.C. Barcelona. Passions flare when discussing these two rival futból clubs. Both Madrid and Barcelona offer epic soccer experiences, but our hat goes off to the seaside, tapas-lovin’ town of Barcelona. Camp Nou, the home stadium of F.C. Barcelona, holds just shy of 100,000 spectators and is the largest stadium in Europe. Located a quick 15-20 minute taxi ride from the city center, Camp Nou is also easily accessible by the metro. No matter how you arrive, you’ll want give yourself plenty of time to soak up the pre-game atmosphere. There are loads of bars in area, but the best ones lie along Travessera de les Corts. Bottoms up on the Estrella beer, because there’s no booze inside this stadium. Once inside, you’ll witness one of the greatest teams to play the game and hopefully catch the magical footwork of the already-legendary Lionel Messi. For the ultimate soccer experience, plan well in advance (and pony up a little dough) to book seats at the epic annual game between Barcelona and Real Madrid, known as El Clasico. It’s one of the greatest rivalries in sports, so definitely catch it if you can. Like any true Barcelonian, when the game is finished, you can go back to eating tapas! Our favorite spots are Quitmet y Quimet and Cerveceria Catalana.

Chelsea match at Stamford Bridge | Photo by Compass + Twine

London

It’s no surprise London has a spot on this list. The English capital is home to multiple major—and majorly successful—club teams, which perform at the highest level in the British Premier League. Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are banner institutions continuously attracting some the greatest soccer talent from around the globe. West Ham United and Crystal Palace aren’t too shabby either. They all play in London, and have been doing so since the late 1800s. The best part about London is that it’s super easy to catch a match. With so many excellent teams and famous stadiums to choose from, there’s bound to be a good game happening around town on the weekend you decide to visit. We recommend trying to catch Chelsea play at Stamford Bridge or Arsenal play at the Emirates. Tickets are best purchased from the club website directly, but these home matches will definitely take some advanced booking. For your game day festivities, it’s quite well-known that London’s pub scene is second to none. Every neighborhood has its local watering whole and a pre-game pint is a must. In the Premier League, you can’t drink beer in your seats, but you can grab a cold one in the concession area during half time. Soccer in London is no joke, so stick to your supporting team’s section or pre-game pub. Some joints won’t even let you in if you’re wearing the opposing team’s jersey.

Inter Milan game at San Siro Stadium | Photo by Compass + Twine

Milan

Fashion and finance may come to mind when you think of Milan, but soccer should, too. Italy’s most modern city is home to two stellar teams, Internazionale Milano (Inter Milan) and Associazione Calcio Milan (AC Milan). Both teams play at the famous San Siro Stadium, which lies about 20 minutes outside of the city center and is best accessed by Uber or taxi. Fill up on pizza and pasta in town first, because there aren’t too many restaurants near the stadium. However, on game day, plenty of concession kiosks sell beer and fan gear, so you’ll want to get there a little early to breathe in the atmosphere. The Italians keep the songs going throughout the match, so familiarize yourself with a few of the basic chants and don’t be afraid to sing along. When the game is over, duck into Baretto 1957, a bar located immediately outside the stadium on the northeast corner, for a (hopefully!) celebratory drink. The game day watering hole is nothing fancy, but it’s a fan favorite and has remained basically unchanged for decades.

Estadio Azteca in Mexico City | Photo courtesy of Flickr CC: The Stadium Guide

Mexico City

Even if you don’t like soccer, you can’t deny it’d be awesome to hear the famous announcer yell “GOOOOOAAAALLLL!!!” for 45 seconds straight at a game in Mexico City. The vibrant and bustling capital of Mexico loves soccer as much as they love their tequila and tacos. It’s one of our favorite cities to visit in general, but the passionate fans and energetic atmosphere make for an amazing soccer experience, as well. Estadio Azteca is the place to go. Home to one of the Mexican League’s (Liga MX) premier teams, Club America, this behemoth of a stadium holds over 104,000 spectators and is located in the southern Santa Úrsula neighborhood. It’s known to be one of the toughest stadiums for opposing teams to visit; not only are the hometown fans boisterous, but the high altitude can make it difficult for winded opponents to catch their breath. While there isn’t a ton to do in the neighborhood itself, the stadium can be reached from the metro line or a 30-minute taxi or Uber ride. When the match is done, head back to the center of town for the classic Mexico City post-game meal: late night tacos al pastor at El Farolito, with locations in Condesa and other neighborhoods, and wash it all down with a cold Tecate.

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River Plate match in Buenos Aires | Photo Courtesy of Compass + Twine

Buenos Aires

Argentina is a soccer nation and Buenos Aires is the capital in all respects. When you think of Argentina and soccer, some of the greatest players to have ever played the game—like Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona—come to mind. And while the European leagues attract much of the world’s talent, Buenos Aires is home to one of the deepest, most bitter rivalries in all of sports: Boca Juniors vs. River Plate. The Yankees and the Red Socks have nothing on these two. Twice a year, these two Buenos Aires teams clash in what is referred to as the Superclasico. Banners drape down covering entire sections of the stadium from top to bottom, colorful smoke bombs fill the air, and the buzz of chanting fans and noise-makers hangs in the air. A game in Buenos Aires is spectacular but definitely not for the faint of heart. Home and away fans are separated by sections, with barbed wire usually serving as the divider. Like most clubs, tickets typically go on sale to members first but open up to the general public afterwards. You can get them online or purchase them in person at the stadium a few days before the match. River Plate’s stadium, El Monumental is in a little nicer area, so you can venture there yourself or go with an reputable, organized tour group. Meanwhile, the Juniors play at La Bombonera in the famous Boca neighborhood which is known for its colorful houses and bustling street life.

A Seattle Sounders’ home game | Photo courtesy of Flickr CC: ArtBrom

Seattle

If Seattle is any indication for the direction American soccer fans are headed, then we’re excited. Major League Soccer (MLS) has really gained significant traction in the United States over the last few years. Sure, big names like David Beckham, Thierry Henry and Frank Lampard (at the twilight of their careers) have helped bring attention to the league, but there’s a genuine growth in soccer here and it’s thrilling to watch. Nowhere in the U.S. are the fans as loud or as proud as they are in Seattle for their home team, Seattle Sounders F.C. They’re so passionate about their soccer that Seattle’s rightfully earned the nickname Soccer City, USA. Catch a game at CenturyLink Field, which is also where the Seahawks (the “other” football team) play, and we promise you won’t regret it. The average crowd size at a Sounders games is almost twice that of any other MLS team—and twice as much fun, too. So next time you find yourself planning a trip to the scenic city on the shores of Puget Sound, skip the Starbucks and head to a soccer game instead!

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Tagged: Europe, London, Mexico, Seattle, Spain