Soccer Matches Around the World: Travel Experiences, Planning Tips & FIFA 2026 World Cup Insights
If you’ve ever dreamed about watching a soccer match abroad, from Premier League derbies in London to Champions League nights in Madrid, let me tell you: it’s every bit as thrilling as you imagine…and then some.
Over the past decade, I’ve had the opportunity to attend matches around the world, in England, Italy, Spain, and across the U.S., and along the way, I’ve learned more than just how to find good seats or beat the ticket rush. I’ve learned what makes football (soccer) so deeply rooted in culture and how to navigate the often confusing logistics of attending these global events like a pro, or so I think.
All of these experiences, from the Premier League to Champions League to the Copa America, have led to one of the most exciting chapters yet; the 2026 FIFA World Cup! We’re looking forward to attending games as a family next year and I’ve previously posted about my thoughts on tickets here: Should You Buy 2026 FIFA World Cup Tickets Before the Draw?
Matches I’ve Attended Around the World
Real Madrid vs Chelsea - Champions League Quarterfinal (April 2023)
Few experiences in sports rival a Champions League night in Madrid. The Bernabeu is electric hours before kickoff, with fans singing, waving flags, and filling the surrounding streets in anticipation. From a planning standpoint, these matches are some of the hardest tickets to secure, often requiring access to a club membership or hospitality tiers through official partners or ticketing channels. Dynamic pricing and secondary marketplaces can vary wildly, but for a bucket-list experience like this, it’s worth every euro.
Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Competition: UEFA Champions League
Tickets: StubHub (I tired securing tickets directly through official Real Madrid channels, but luck wans’t on my side and I was able to secure resale tickets as reasonable prices from season ticket holders selling their game tickets through resale partners)
Roma vs Sampdoria - Serie A (April 2023)
Attending a match in Italy is as much about the passion as it is about the play. The crowd at the Olimpico erupts in coordinated chants, flares light up the stands, and “Roma, Roma, Roma” rings out like an anthem. Tickets here are generally more affordable than Premier League prices, but planning early and understanding stadium sections is key, Italian venues can have complex seating layouts and ultras only sections.
Stadium: Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Competition: Serie A League
Tickets: Purchased direct through AS Roma with pre-game hospitality (food, drinks and more)
Chelsea vs Fulham - December 2018
My first Premier League match and a true West London derby, Chelsea vs Fulham. I remember the pre-match walk from Fulham Broadway, hearing the songs echo from nearby pubs, and realizing that this was more than a sporting event…it was a ritual for these local fans.
Stadium: Stamford Bridge, London
Competition: Premier League
Tickets: Matchday Museum Hospitality tickets with pre-game food, drinks, museum and field tour
Arsenal vs Fulham - April 2025
Modern luxury meets football tradition here. With premium seating, in-suite dining, and a relaxed pre-match lounge, Arsenal’s Cannon Club Level is one of the best hospitality experiences in the Premier League. It’s a masterclass in how top clubs are evolving matchday experiences for global travelers.
Stadium: Emirates Stadium, London
Competition: Premier League
Tickets: Cannon Club Level Hospitality
Chelsea vs Tottenham - April 2025
This unique package combines access to Chelsea’s museum with matchday hospitality — a great mix for families or first-timers. The behind-the-scenes tour and historical context add depth to the match itself, making it more than just 90 minutes of play.
Stadium: Stamford Bridge, London
Competition: Premier League
Tickets: Matchday Museum Hospitality
Manchester United vs Manchester City - April 2025
Few rivalries in world football compare to the Manchester Derby. The atmosphere at Old Trafford was intense and having post-match museum access gives you time to soak in the history after the final whistle, along with food and drinks.
Stadium: Old Trafford, Manchester
Competition: Premier League
Tickets: Museum Experience (Post-Match Hospitality)
Chile vs Mexico - Copa América Centenario (June 2016)
A Copa America quarterfinal that became part of history, Chile’s stunning 7-0 victory over Mexico. It wasn’t just a match; it was a cultural takeover. The entire Bay Area turned into a festival of flags, songs, and drums. It’s proof that international tournaments can transform a city and show just how global this sport really is.
Stadium: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara (USA)
Competition: Copa America
Tickets: Bought direct from official channels
PSG vs Atletico Madrid - FIFA Club World Cup (June 2025)
Few venues in the U.S. carry as much history as the Rose Bowl and seeing it host a global fixture like Paris Saint-Germain vs Atletico Madrid on Father’s Day 2025 made it even more special. It was one of those rare moments where the world’s game and family life intersect perfectly: world-class European clubs playing in California under the summer sun, surrounded by thousands of fans waving flags from every continent.
Stadium: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California
Competition: FIFA Club World Cup
Tickets: Bought direct from FIFA
Sacramento Republic FC Matches (Multiple Seasons)
There’s something beautifully authentic about U.S. second-division soccer (USL Championship). The supporters’ section, the Tower Bridge Battalion, brings European-style stadium energy to every match. It’s a reminder that soccer culture in America is growing fast and thriving at the local level.
Stadium: Heart Health Park, Sacramento
Competition: USL
Tickets: Bought direct from Sacramento Republic
49ers NFL Games
While not a soccer match, comparing the NFL Club Level experience at Levi’s Stadium to European hospitality packages offers valuable perspective. The logistics, entry experience, and hospitality offerings are polished, but the atmosphere? That’s where Europe still reigns supreme. Having attended games in 2024 and 2025, pricing for club level seats for 49ers games can be similar to match days in Europe, so it’s a good comparison or what you get for the price.
Stadium: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara (USA)
Competition: NFL
Tickets : Levi’s 501 Club Level
The Passion and Culture of European Football
You can’t really compare European soccer culture to anything else. In the U.S., we tailgate. In Europe, they live it. The pubs become gathering points for generations of fans. Songs are more than chants, they’re cultural artifacts passed down like family heirlooms. The stadiums feel alive, vibrating with decades of memories, triumphs, and heartbreaks.
When you walk into a place like Old Trafford or the Bernabeu, you’re not just watching a game, you’re stepping into history. The energy is communal, emotional, and deeply personal to the people in those stands. For travelers, these matches become immersive cultural experiences, and in my opinion, as powerful and authentic as visiting a museum, but louder, sweatier, and far more alive.
What I’ve Learned About Soccer Ticket Planning & Pricing
If you plan on attending any type of popular sporting event, especially the upcoming FIFA 2026 World Cup, it is imperative to start planning as early as you can.
Here are a few general tips to help with that planning:
Start early: Premier League and Champions League matches can sell out within hours of schedule release for the most popular games. For the FIFA World Cup, tickets are “luck of the draw” in their lottery system or be prepared to pay big proces for resale tickets (Or consider the FIFA Collect RTT marketplace)
Hospitality packages are often the most reliable and secure way for international travelers to attend top matches.
Beware of resale markups: third-party marketplaces can charge 2–4x face value. Always check official club channels first.
Travel logistics matter: in cities like London, where multiple clubs play, plan around public transit and post-match crowds.
Consider weekday matches: they’re usually cheaper, and the crowds are often more local.
Why Soccer Travel Is Worth It
For me, attending soccer matches around the world isn’t just about the sport, it’s about connecting with the soul of a place or experiencing the passion ands atmosphere, that can’t be felt through the television. Whether it’s the chants of Madrid, the history of Rome, or the pub culture of London, these experiences have given me a deeper appreciation for how sport shapes identity and community.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 FIFA World Cup and My Journey with RTBs
All of these experiences, from the Premier League to NFL games to Champions League nights, have led to one of the most exciting chapters yet - the 2026 FIFA World Cup!
The tournament will be hosted across North America, with matches in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, and yes, we plan on being there. With no luck in the FIFA Ticketing Lottery, I gambled a bit and ended up buying FIFA Collect Right-to-Buy Tickets, which bypasses the general lottery system, but still left a lot unknown. Tickets were guaranteed, but the teams playing were unknown, as well as the price points. I plan on diving into details here on the blog, but was able to secure tickets using Right-to-Buy (RTB) allocations and now Right-to Ticket (RTT) for several matches for San Francisco Bay Area matches at Levi’s Stadium. The FIFA ticketing process has left a lot to be desired and prices are kinda insane, in my opinnion, but the introduction of RTBs, marketplace trading, and dynamic pricing has completely changed how fans access tickets, and I’ve spent months studying and analyzing the process.
As someone who’s navigated ticket systems from UEFA hospitality to Serie A club allocations and now FIFA Collect RTBs, I’ll be sharing in-depth insights, real-time updates, and travel logistics for attending 2026 matches, from host city guides and hospitality breakdowns to value comparisons and resale analysis. Because getting to a World Cup match isn’t just about clicking “buy.” It’s about understanding how pricing fluctuates, when allocations open, how to verify legitimate sources, and how to make the most of the experience once you’re there.
And if there’s one thing I’ve learned from attending matches around the world, it’s that the memories you make in those 90 minutes will last a lifetime.