Football Season Travel

Rejoice, football fanatics! Football season is upon us, and it’s an action-packed time for all fans in the UK and across Europe. You may be looking to support your local team or want to venture to see some of the biggest matches with European football trips, but one thing is for certain: there's nothing quite like the thrill of being there in person. Travelling for European football trips couldn’t be easier with P&O Ferries. With flexible travel options and no luggage requirements, you can enjoy a comfortable and convenient crossing for the ultimate football road trip.

Football Trips Abroad

The football season is exciting, from the Premier League in the UK to the top leagues in Europe, including La Liga, Serie A, and the Bundesliga. Upcoming tournaments, such as the Champions League and Europa League, offer even more opportunities to see top-tier football. So how do you plan your football travel for this season?

 

For any European football trip, it’s important not just to have your tickets for the match but also how you can get there. Travelling by ferry helps you start your football trip abroad right. With endless things to do and entertainment onboard, as well as plenty of places to eat and drink, you can trav

el at ease, knowing it will all be smooth sailing.

 

 

Best Football Trips Abroad

1. El Classico Match Day Experience

 

Traveling to an El Clásico is less like attending a sporting event and more like witnessing a cultural phenomenon. Whether you are walking up the grand avenues toward the towering Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid or joining the sea of fans descending upon the colossal Camp Nou in Barcelona, the tension in the air is palpable hours before kickoff. The streets echo with fierce, partisan chants, and once inside, the sheer scale of the stadium and the deafening wall of sound from nearly 100,000 supporters create an electric, unforgiving atmosphere. Every pass, tackle, and goal is met with a deafening roar or piercing whistles, making it one of the most intense and unforgettable spectacles in world sports.

 

2. AC Milan Match Day Experience

 

Approaching the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, widely celebrated as the San Siro, feels like walking toward a colossal, brutalist spaceship. Its iconic cylindrical towers and spiraling ramps project an aura that is both deeply intimidating and steeped in history. The essential matchday ritual begins with the smoky, rich aroma of a panino con la salamella (sausage sandwich) from the bustling food trucks outside, perfectly fueling you for the long, echoing climb to your seats. Once you step out into the stadium bowl, the atmosphere turns distinctly gladiatorial. The Curva Sud completely commands the senses, unfurling breathtakingly intricate tifo displays and belting out deeply melodic, emotionally charged anthems like "Sarà perché ti amo," culminating in an operatic and fiercely passionate Italian football masterpiece.

 

3. PSG Away Day Experience

 

A matchday at the Parc des Princes perfectly captures the duality of modern Paris: a blend of high-end glamour and raw, unfiltered passion. Before the game, fans gather in the cafes and bars of the 16th arrondissement, but inside the stadium, the atmosphere is dictated by the Collectif Ultras Paris in the Auteuil stand. They turn the compact, bowl-like arena into a cauldron of noise, constantly bouncing, waving massive flags, and often lighting up the night with spectacular pyrotechnics. The proximity of the stands to the pitch means you feel every ounce of the crowd's energy, providing a surprisingly gritty and deeply passionate backdrop to the star-studded action on the grass. Travelling to Parc des Princes in a car? Take our ferry to Calais to enjoy a quick, comfortable trip to the home of one of the European giants.

4. Bayern Munich Experience

 

The journey to see Bayern Munich is a masterclass in German football culture, starting with a packed U-Bahn ride out to Fröttmaning where the stadium suddenly appears on the horizon, glowing a brilliant, luminescent red. Outside the arena, the atmosphere is convivial and deeply Bavarian, with fans socializing over giant pretzels, bratwurst, and liters of Paulaner beer. Inside, the massive Südkurve (South Curve) stands for the entire 90 minutes, leading the stadium in synchronized chants, scarf-twirling, and booming responses to the stadium announcer. It is a highly organized, relentless wall of support that perfectly mirrors the traditional dominance of the team on the pitch.

 

5. Ajax Match Day Experience

 

Riding the metro from Amsterdam's bustling city center to Bijlmer ArenA station instantly sweeps you into a vibrant sea of iconic red and white. A matchday at the legendary Johan Cruyff Arena is more than just a game; it is a celebration of rich footballing heritage. Outside, the atmosphere hums with a friendly, cosmopolitan energy that quickly sharpens into fierce, undeniable loyalty the moment you pass through the turnstiles.

 

Inside the stadium, the passionate F-Side supporters orchestrate the arena's electric pulse, belting out classic Dutch anthems to the relentless beat of drums. Rooted in the legendary "Total Football" ethos, the crowd shares a deep, collective appreciation for technical artistry, roaring with the same deafening enthusiasm for a beautifully threaded pass or a clever flick as they do for a match-winning goal.

 

Experience the Magic Firsthand 

 

Make your journey to the pitch just as memorable as the game itself. Book our Amsterdam Mini Cruise, an effortless European getaway that bundles your round-trip travel with a relaxing two-night stay in one of our comfortable en-suite cabins.

Football Trips in Europe

Travelling to football matches, whether within the UK or Europe, is made simple with P&O Ferries - and let’s explain how it’s even better than flying.

 

The flexibility of taking your car - or bike - with you on the ferry,  means you can easily drive to the stadium, avoid the hassle of public transport, and enjoy the freedom to explore the surrounding areas at your leisure.

 

P&O Ferries also offers a comfortable and enjoyable journey, with onboard amenities such as entertainment, dining options, and the luxurious Club Lounge on our Dover to Calais route.

 

So why not hesitate and book your football travel with P&O Ferries today!