Advice on watching games abroad.

[Sidney1st]

I've seen comments from a few people who've gone to watch football in Spain/Germany etc.

Just looking for any tips or advice as I'd like to do something similar over the next couple of years with my kids.
Did anyone use one of the many websites offering deals or is it easier to justify sort match tickets and travel/accommodation yourself?

[Rileybobs]

I'm sure Leisure will be putting on travel arrangements to Burnleys European games the season after next if you can wait that long.

[Sidney1st]

Coach from Burnley to Barca sounds a bit of an effort...

Knowing my luck I'd end up next to Rocky too.

[Loyalclaret]

Guess it depends on the league, the team and opposition. I've only done it a few times but not the top teams and unlike you ive not worried about getting children in.

This weekend I went to ferencvaros in Budapest, unlike the 2nd division German games were you just turn up and buy a ticket, we queued for memberships which included personal details and finger prints for our club cards. Then bought the ticket in the singing section. All in it was less than £5!

They won 3-1, not great quality but all attacking from the home side, nice stadium but small crowd and no one bothered us for listening to Phil Bird commenting on clarets player

[John Johnson 1605]

I've seen comments from a few people who've gone to watch football in Spain/Germany etc.

Just looking for any tips or advice as I'd like to do something similar over the next couple of years with my kids.
Did anyone use one of the many websites offering deals or is it easier to justify sort match tickets and travel/accommodation yourself?

Hi Sidney,

We took the kids a few years ago to see Barcelona play Sevilla. Do the ground tour first and purchase tickets from one of the booths, all staff spoke great English. If your children are less than 6 they can sit on your knee to avoid the cost of an additional ticket. We also got lucky as there were several seats around us that had not been sold, so no seat sharing. Transport is excellent, there are underground stations very close to the ground although I would leave a few minutes early due to the congestion. If you are stopping over try Castelldefels which is cheaper, 15 miles to the South of Barcelona and easy to get to.

I've also been to Real Madrid on a stag do. Again did the tour which we booked on the day (no guide as such you follow a map which they provide). Trophy room is incredible. We also booked the tickets beforehand from their official website. To collect you take your credit card used and insert it into a machine in their club shop and they are printed. Our game was a Sunday night and we walked back into the city centre, about 2 miles down hill.

Good luck.

[Sidney1st]

Cheers John and Loyal.

I fancy doing some of the bigger grounds and staying over where we can.
Some places we can do there and back in a day, like Amsterdam or Paris for reasonable cost and then over nighters for Italy, Spain or Germany.

Its handy to know they speak good English at Barca, my Spanish is nonexistent.

[Loyalclaret]

You'll find most of the clubs are used to football tourist and are geared up for English speaking fans from the EU.

This weekend the membership forms were handed out by a beafy security guard at the club shop, once he heard our language we were handed the forms in English.

The ground tours mentioned above are good- kids will love them- ive been to both grounds and enjoyed them

[bobinho]

Sure CFC will be along soon. He's our resident European footy traveller.

I did a few whilst living and working in Germany, and can recommend it highly. Mullets and double denim everywhere, but trust me, the Germans like a good drink and a good laugh.

[Sidney1st]

Cheers for the information, I know more than I did when I made the post.

I think we will start with places like PSG and Ajax then work our way outwards.

[ontario claret]

Rocky 2 wasn't so bad. It was when they got to 4 and 5 that they were stretching it.

[South West Claret.]

I've seen comments from a few people who've gone to watch football in Spain/Germany etc.

Just looking for any tips or advice as I'd like to do something similar over the next couple of years with my kids.
Did anyone use one of the many websites offering deals or is it easier to justify sort match tickets and travel/accommodation yourself?

Whilst in East Berlin (over there for two weeks hol) I went to the Hertha Berlin v Wolfsburg game 10 days ago and sorted the ticket out over there myself.

After failing to book it from the Hertha website I went to the TI at the Brandenburg gate for advice, no trouble they booked it for me there and then and printed out the ticket.. very helpful.

We were staying in the central area of Mitte (East Berlin) and simply got the train to the Olympic Stadium where they play, about 45 mins roughly. Ground about 5/10 minutes stroll from the station.

On the way to the ground I spotted a gate saying Museum so went through to one set up to remember the Westen Allies and the history of their time there 1945-1994. 3/4 small rooms of Documents, Photos, Newspapers and Uniforms etc.

The ground holds about 85,000, but roughly 50,000 there on Sat. All under cover.

We also sorted the travel and accommodation out before we traveled, if you like history and things to run well East Berlin is the place we were very impressed how the whole two weeks went and could easily have stayed longer to fit more things in to do.

The food and drink was also excellent, and people friendly.

[Sidney1st]

Cheers South West.

My Dad speaks fluent German, from when he was stationed over there with the Army, so he may have to be taken along with us as a guide

[Jeffbfc]

Cheers South West.

My Dad speaks fluent German, from when he was stationed over there with the Army, so he may have to be taken along with us as a guide

Going via Normandy then Sid.

[Sidney1st]

He's not that old, neither am I

[cricketfieldclarets]

Almost all I have been to I have booked independently. It is usually very easy. Brother went to Ferencvaros and had to register.

Serie A is the hardest as they are very strict, although he still got into the Milan derby 2 weeks ago. That said he was with Italian friends who blagged it when he hadnt brought his ID on matchday.

Ajax have a similar system especially against Feyenoord.

Spain, Germany, France and all through Eastern Europe are easier than getting tickets for the turf. Just depends how flexible you are with who, where and when you want to watch.

All in all though I have never not got a ticket for a game I have wanted to see and only once paid over face value.

[Sidney1st]

Ah we were thinking of Ajax or PSG for our first one due to travel time and the fact my kids have never flown before.

[cricketfieldclarets]

PSG Will be easier. Although Ajax is easy enough if not Feyenoord and can put you in touch with someone if Ajax is preferred.

[Sidney1st]

I'll see what the kids want to do first and let you know if that's OK?

We aren't planning anything until we know the fixtures for Burnley and Ajax/PSG for next season.

[KRBFC]

I recommend Turf Moor first, don't get too far ahead of yourself.

Edit: I forgot a smiley

[cricketfieldclarets]

Yes no problem!

[Sidney1st]

I recommend Turf Moor first, don't get too far ahead of yourself.

Edit: I forgot a smiley

I'll be there, got the season tickets.

Say hello if you see me, Sidney 1 on the back of my shirts, with 3 teenage lads next to me.