The world’s best destinations for football fans

In the lead up to this summer’s football excitement, here are the six best destinations around the globe for football.

Dortmund, Germany

Westphalia Stadium in Dortmund is home to one of Germany’s most prestigious football teams, Borussia Dortmund, one of only three German clubs to have lifted the European Cup. The stadium is also the biggest in the country, with room for over 80,000 spectators. But it’s the atmosphere that draws fans from far and wide; with its huge capacity and the largest open-plan terrace in Europe, the stadium is spectacular when filled with deafening cheers and colour. There’s also an on-site museum tracing the history of the club from its founding in a Dortmund pub in 1909, to its current star status. Eat barbecued bratwurst and drink German beer at Strobels, a beloved bar for footy fans just seconds from the stadium. And stay at Mercure Hotel Dortmund Messe & Kongress, also practically next door to the football.

Manchester, UK

Although football fans all over Britain are pretty passionate about the sport, Mancunians are especially so. The home of Manchester United (currently the most valuable football club in the world) and Manchester City, there’s a wide selection of matches to see. Head to Old Trafford and take a tour of Old Trafford museum and the stadium in the days leading up to the game. Here, you’ll see the number seven shirts worn by iconic players Eric Cantona and David Beckham alongside other precious memorabilia, before getting to visit team changing rooms and VIP stands. Diehard fans should stay at Hotel Football Manchester, just opposite Old Trafford.

Porto Alegre, Brazil

Porto Alegre – the capital city of Brazil’s southernmost state (Rio Grand do Sul) – is home to one of the nation’s biggest clubs, Sport Club Internacional. Although the club plays a number of sports, football is their forte. Their base is the recently-refurbished Estádio Beira-Rio, a stadium built on the banks of the Guaiba river, inside a leafy park, with a capacity of over 51,000. The renovations included the installation of a hi-tec metal roof that changes colour and shields the crowd from heat or rain, and improved acoustics, meaning an even more electric atmosphere for fans. Check into the highly rated Intercity Porto Alegre, a 5-minute drive or half-hour walk from Estádio Beira-Rio.

Turin, Italy

Home to two major Italian teams, Juventus and Torino, the northern Italian city of Turin offers a lot of excitement for enthusiastic football fans. Juventus Stadium, home to the eponymous Serie A football club and with capacity for more than 41,000 spectators, is probably the city’s most sought-after venue (so get tickets in advance). The Match Day Special Tour is a must, while the Stadium museum is filled to the brim with shining trophies, football shirts and cardboard cutouts of the most seminal players. Stay at B&B Cascina Barolo, just five minutes’ walk from Juventus Stadium.

Madrid, Spain

Not only home to some of the best teams in Spain but also in the world, Madrid is a football pilgrimage. Visit the legendary 85,000-capacity Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, which has been home to Real Madrid since 1947, and the Wanda Metropolitano, where the underdog Atlético club play (as of 2017). Watching a match at the Bernabéu is an unforgettable experience but fans also ought to take the specialised tour of the pitch, changing rooms, and more. You can even sit on the uber-comfortable seats in the presidential box and take a photo of yourself with the European Cup. Just 250 metres from the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, AC Hotel Aitana is a contemporary hotel with balconies overlooking the Paseo de la Castellana, one of Madrid’s main boulevards.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Football is sacred in Argentina, and the celebratory spirit that takes over Buenos Aires with every weekend game is infectious. Each club and stadium has a unique appeal, whether it’s the huge stands of La Bombonera (the chocolate box) where the Boca Juniors play, or Estadio Presidente Perón, the home of Racing Club. But the real blockbuster is the Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti, the biggest stadium in the city and home of renowned club and Boca Juniors’ arch rivals, River Plate. It officially opened in 1938 and its mammoth circular grounds still play host to major games, including most of the Argentine national team’s home matches. Whichever you choose to visit, the energy of a constantly-singing, jumping and air-punching Argentine crowd is truly fantastic. Two blocks away from the Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti, River House Bed & Breakfast has a terrace from which you can see the stands and hear the crowds roar.