This post explains how to visit London football stadiums, including Arsenal's Emirates Stadium, Chelsea's Stamford Bridge Stadium and Wembley Stadium, including tickets, tours and helpful tips to plan to time.
- Overview
- Arsenal Emirates Stadium
- Chelsea Stamford Bridge Stadium
- Wembley Stadium
- O2 Centre
- Things to Do in London
OVERVIEW
Each stadium offers numerous types of tours depending on the experience you wish to have. Price ranges vary, but you can expect to pay around £10.00 for a museum visit and £20.00 for a standard tour. Trips to the Museum can be at your leisure, and the tours usually take anywhere from one hour to two, with shortened tours available on match days.
Useful Information
- All stadiums offer a visit to the Museum separate from the tour, which is usually the cheapest way to visit.
- All booked tours include a visit to the museums, also.
- During match days, large portions of the stadiums will be off limits, so make sure to check before you go.
- Tours at all stadiums require a moderate level of fitness as there are many steps included. For those with mobility problems, contact the venue ahead of time to find out what options they may have for you.
- Public transport is the best and easiest way to visit all these venues.
** All of these stadiums can be visited for free if you have the London Pass! **
If you were thinking of getting a tourist pass, but not sure which one, if any, is right for you, see our post Which London Tourist Pass is Best?
ARSENAL EMIRATES STADIUM
Located in Highbury, London, the Emirates has been the home stadium of Arsenal since 2006.
For those wishing to visit the stadium, there are many options to choose from. Guests can take a behind-the-scenes guided tour, have a VIP experience with a tour led by a legendary Arsenal player, or just take a visit to their historic museum.
With scheduled tours and experiences available every day of the week, a visit to the Emirates Stadium can fit into any trip to London.
** Got the London Pass? This tour is INCLUDED with your London Pass purchase!**
Stadium Hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 9:30 to 18:00 (last entry 17:00)
- Sundays: 10:00 to 16:00 (last entry 15:00)
What Tours Are Available:
A self-guided audio tour of the stadium narrated in English by legendary Arsenal player, Bob Wilson. The audio tour is also available in Dutch, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, and Japanese.
This tour takes guests behind-the-scenes into areas such as the Directors Box, the Players Entrance, the Home Changing Room, the Players Tunnel, to the Dugout and more. The tour finishes with a visit to the museum.
- Times: Any time during opening hours.
- Prices:
- Adults £22.00
- Children Under 16 £14.00
- Children Under 5: FREE
- Concessions £17.00
- Family (2 adults and 2 children) £55.00
Museum Only: A visit to the Arsenal Museum, showcasing exhibits that detail the history of Arsenal and items donated by previous players.
- Times:
- Monday to Saturday: 10:30 to 18:30 (last entry 18:15)
- Sundays: 10:30 to 16:15 (last entry 16:30)
- Prices:
- Adults £10.00
- Children Under 16 £7.00
- Children Under 5: FREE
- Concessions £8.00
A guided tour led by a premier league footballer who has previously played for Arsenal. This is a one hour tour that highlights the venue but is focused mostly on the behind-the-scenes world of playing for Arsenal, including the time the guide played and their thoughts on the current team, plus any upcoming Arsenal news. The tour finishes with free entry to the Arsenal Museum.
Before booking, you can check who will be guiding the tour HERE.
- Times: Various dates. Check the schedule HERE.
- Prices: £40.00 per person.
A VIP guided tour of the stadium, led by Lee Dixon, Martin Keown, Ray Parlour or David Seaman alongside Arsenal Commentator, Nigel Mitchell. These tours take guests into areas of the Stadium not normally open to the public and include all the real stories of the legends and moments that have made up Arsenal’s history.
This tour includes entry into Emirates Stadium via the Directors Entrance, a souvenir guidebook and autographed lanyard, stadium tour as well as the TV studios, a photograph of you with the Emirates FA Cup, buffet lunch in the Diamond Club (with unlimited drinks!), a signing session and one on one time with the legend leading the tour, a goody bag with exclusive merchandise, and free entrance to the Arsenal Museum.
- Times: Various throughout the year. Check next tour availability HERE.
- Prices: £350.00 Per Person
Note: For guests that have tickets to a match, there are multiple Match Day Tour experiences you can book in addition to the game.
How to Get There:
- Nearest Underground Stations: Arsenal, Finsbury Park, and Highbury & Islington Stations. Holloway Road station is nearby but is EXIT ONLY before and after matches.
- Nearest Railway Stations: Kings Cross and Finsbury Park Stations
- Bus Routes: 4, 17, 19, 29, 43, 91, 153, 236, 253, 259, 271, 393
Note: Driving to the Emirates stadium is never a good idea. There are strict match day parking restrictions in operation in the areas surrounding the stadium, including roads closed off to all traffic entirely.
Tips, Notes, and Reviews:
- Personal food and drink will not be permitted inside the stadium.
- There are no luggage facilities. Large bags and luggage will not be allowed inside. If you need to store your bags or luggage prior to your tour, check out our Where to Store Luggage in London for options.
- The pitch is refurbished every summer which means the dug-out and locations adjacent to the pitch can be closed when this happens, so consider visiting in other seasons or contact the stadium first to find out if the pitch is open.
- Similarly, every May the stadium hosts a number of pitch-side events which means the players' tunnel and dug out are not accessible. And on Match Days, half of the tour route is unavailable to visit.
- Many guests stated that the self-guided tour gives more freedom, allowing you to take your time when exploring or taking photographs, so for those who love to take pictures, this may be the best option.
- The Trophy Room is only viewable via a tour and is not part of the Museum, so make sure to take the tour if you want to see the trophies!
CHELSEA STAMFORD BRIDGE STADIUM
Stamford Bridge Stadium in South-West London has been the home of Chelsea F.C. since 1905. For those wishing to explore the legendary Stamford Bridge, there are a few great ways to visit.
Chelsea offers a standard behind-the-scenes tour that takes guests into all areas of the Stadium, an option to take a tour led by a legendary Chelsea player, and an option to have a private behind-the-scenes tour with your own personal guide, or just a visit to the Museum.
Tours are available 7 days a week, all year round!
For those with tickets to a match, Stamford Bridge also provides a 20-minute ‘match-day’ experience you can add to your visit.
**Got the London Pass? This tour is INCLUDED with your London Pass purchase!**
Note: The Stadium will be expanding in 2021 with a project set to last a year. During that time, Chelsea will be using Wembley Stadium for their home games, returning to Stamford Bridge for the 2023 season.
What Tours Are Available:
A one hour guided tour, that takes guests behind-the-scenes into the home and away dressing rooms, the press room, the players' tunnel, pitchside and more. Tour finishes with free entry to the Museum.
- Times: Twice an hour from 10:00 to 15:00.
- Prices:
- Adult £19.00
- Child (5 - 15) £13.00
- Concessions £14.00
- Under 5: FREE
- Book with 24-hour cancellation.
Note: These are booking prices. You can buy tickets on arrival, but they will include a further £3.00 payment for adults and a £2.00 payment for any other ticket.
Museum Only: A visit to the Museum, detailing over 100 years of Chelsea’s history.
- Times: Any time between 10:00 - 15:00.
- Prices:
- Adult £11.00
- Child (5 - 15) £9.00
- Concessions £10.00
- Under 5: FREE
Legends Tour:
A guided tour by a former Chelsea player that gives guests the stories of the behind-the-scenes world of Chelsea. Guests get their chance to take photographs with their legend and also a period of time set aside to ask questions.
- Times: Selected dates only. Check availability HERE.
- Prices: £70.00 per person
Platinum Tour:
This is a private tour just for you with your friends and family, up to 10 people. The same access and information as the regular Stadium tour in a personalized walk that includes lunch at Frankie’s Sports Bar and Grill.
- Times: 11:10 and 14:10 slots available most days
- Prices:
- Adult £55.00
- Child (5-15) £45.00
Matchday Viewings:
A stadium viewing including a 20-minute talk from a tour guide and a photo opportunity inside the stadium.
- Times: Before selected Premier League match days. Check availability HERE.
- Prices:
- Adult £11.00
- Child (5 - 15) £9.00
- Concession £10.00
How to Get There:
- Underground Stations: Fulham Broadway Station
- Railway Stations: West Brompton and Imperial Wharf
- Bus Routes: 14, 211 and 414
Tips, Notes, and Reviews:
- Accessibility can be an issue so if you have difficulty walking or climbing steps, contact the stadium in advance.
- Lots of guests comment that this tour is particularly family-friendly with great interaction for kids as well as adults.
- Tours are only available in English.
- The tour lasts about an hour and you are free to spend as much time in the museum as you wish, either before or after your tour.
- Guests mention that the groups can get quite large (as many as 40 people) so consider going on a weekday, or early in the morning.
For visitors to London who want to explore the largest stadium in the United Kingdom, Wembley Stadium makes it easy. They offer a variety of tours and experiences for guests to take that include visits to locations not usually opened to the public, VIP experiences, or even a mini-tour for those short on time.
What Tours Are Available:
A fully guided tour, taking visitors to the exclusive behind-the-scenes locations such as the England dressing room, players tunnel, pressroom and more. Guests will get a chance to walk pitch-side, sit on the managers' benches, see artifacts from the history of the stadium and touch an exact replica of the FA Cup.
- Times: Every day (subject to change) on the hour from 10:00 to 15:00. Check the schedule HERE.
- Prices:
- Adults £22.00
- Children (under 16) £14.00
- Family £55.00
- Seniors (Over 65) £14.00
- Kids Under 5: FREE
Note: This tour must be booked in advance.
**Got the London Pass? This tour is INCLUDED with your London Pass purchase!**
VIP Access-All-Areas Tour:
The ultimate Wembley experience, this is a private tour with your own guide who will take guests into all areas of the Stadium - including places not available on the standard tour, such as corporate boxes, the Press Conference Room and into a ‘Century of Wembley Memories’ photography exhibition. The tour includes special gifts and a free soft drink.
- Times: Available throughout the year. Book HERE.
- Prices: £60.00 per person (Minimum of 2 guests must book the tour)
NOTE: This tour must be booked in advance.
The Mini Tour:
A shorter, half hour tour that operates on days when the stadium is preparing for a match. This visit takes guests up to the Club Wembley Level and into the Royal Box with an opportunity to touch a replica FA Cup.
- Times: Times and dates vary so check the website HERE.
- Prices:
- Adults £12.00
- Concessions £6.00
Note: These tours do not require pre-booking.
How to Get There:
- Underground Stations: Wembley Park and Wembley Central Stations
- Rail Stations: Wembley Stadium and Wembley Central Stations
- Bus Routes: 18, 83, 92, 224
Tips, Notes, and Reviews:
- Be prepared as there are a number of steps to climb during the tour.
- As the Stadium is used as the home for different London teams when their home stadiums are out of use, the tour can often change focus. For example, at present, the Stadium is home to the Tottenham Hotspurs so the tour has a large focus on them. Next, in 2021, Chelsea will call Wembley home.
- Take note that all the tours are only provided in English.
- Many guests say that the replica FA cup is quite small, so not an -exact- replica.
- Luggage is not allowed inside the Stadium.
- The standard tour lasts 75 minutes but give yourself around 90 minutes when planning your schedule.
- Many guests who are not sports fans say the tour is still interesting and worth a visit!
