arsenal football stadium tour

Arsenal – Emirates Stadium Tour

Home > Tours > Arsenal – Emirates Stadium Tour

Take a tour of the Emirates Stadium, home to one of the most successful English football clubs of all time Walk in the footsteps of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bukayo Saka as you venture down the Players’ Tunnel Have your picture taken with the FA cup Explore the home and away dressing rooms where the players prepare for the matches Go pitch side for sensational views of the stadium Enjoy audio commentary throughout with a fascinating audio guide

• Walk down the players’ tunnel
• Visit the Directors Box
• See press Conference facilities
• Enjoy the commentary of your thrilling audio guide
• Take a trip to the interactive Arsenal Museum.
• Emirates Stadium Tour
• Audio guide available in 10 languages (including British Sign Language)
• Choice of 3 voiceovers for English commentary (choose between former players Charlie George, Lee Dixon or commentator Nigel Mitchell)
• Entry to the Arsenal Museum
• Arsenal branded headphones
• Personalised tour certificate
• Food and drink

When would you like to go?

Unavailable, please select:, options selected:, optional extras, price breakdown:, you may also like.

The Wizard Walk of London

Sherlock: The Official Live Game

Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond & Whisky

SEA LIFE Birmingham & LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Birmingham

Your browser does not support iframes

EMIRATES STADIUM TOUR

What’s Included

• Behind-the-scenes Access : A chance to walk through the players’ tunnel, just like the Arsenal stars.
• Arsenal Museum : Exploration of the club’s rich history with displays of memorabilia from legendary matches and iconic players.
• VIP Boxes : A tour of the luxurious VIP areas, offering panoramic views of the pitch.
• Manager’s Press Room : Experience sitting in the manager’s seat during post-match press conferences.
• Changing Rooms : A look into where players prepare for their matches, showcasing their kits and personal lockers.
• Interactive Touch Screens : Engage with digital displays that bring Arsenal’s history to life, offering insights into key moments and players.
• Audio-Visual Shows : Multimedia presentations that capture the atmosphere and excitement of match days at the Emirates.
• Director’s Box : An exclusive look into where the top executives and special guests watch the matches.
• Trophy Display : Admire the club’s silverware, including league titles, FA Cups, and other prestigious awards.
• Merchandise Store : End the tour with a chance to purchase official Arsenal merchandise, from jerseys to souvenirs.

OPENING HOURS & DATES

Tours run every day of the week. Kindly note: This offer only applies to self-guided audio tours only and does not apply to matchday tours, legends tours or VIP Legends Tours.

Stadium opening hours, and tour times, are:

Seven days a week 10.00 to 16.00 (last admission 15.00) – subject to change and review

Please note the museum is currently closed.

Please allow approximately 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes for the tour.

Map & Directions

About the experience.

Experience the heart of Arsenal FC’s Emirates Stadium with a tailored self-guided tour for true Gooners.

From walking through the players’ tunnel to exploring the Arsenal Museum, the tour is designed to offer you an unforgettable experience.

You will also have the opportunity to take a tour of the luxurious VIP areas, sit in the manager’s seat during post-match press conferences, check out the changing rooms, and engage with state-of-the-art digital displays that bring Arsenal’s history to life.

Moreover, you will experience multimedia presentations that capture the electric atmosphere and excitement of match days at the Emirates.

The tour will also provide you with an exclusive look into where the top executives and special guests watch the matches, and an opportunity to admire the club’s silverware.

The tour ends with a chance to purchase official Arsenal merchandise.

With cutting-edge technology and attention to detail, this immersive experience promises to take you on an unforgettable journey through one of the world’s most renowned stadiums.

More Arsenal Tours

Emirates Stadium Tour

Frequently asked questions.

SAVE 22% OFF TOUR VOUCHERS

Stadium & Museum Tour

WAS £60  NOW £46.80*

*Use discount code STADIUM22 at checkout.

Adult & Child

WAS £50  NOW £39

*Use the discount code above.

Family of Four

Age Details & Booking Info

• Adults = 16+
• Children = 5-15
• Under 5’s = Free Entry

Please note: 

• Vouchers are valid for 12 months and can be used immediately.
• A combination of vouchers ay be used.

Share Offer

• Share on Facebook
• Share on WhatsApp
• Share on Pinterest
• Share by Mail

• London Attractions >

Arsenal Stadium Tour

Discover Arsenal Football stadium with a thrilling tour of the club. Start by taking a seat in the changing room where players prepare before heading out onto the pitch. Then walk down the players’ tunnel and into the 60,000 seat stadium of one of the top teams in the Premier League. Imagine the roar as Arsenal legends of past and present, be it Henry, Sanchez or Ozil, run onto the field. You’ll then get to go behind-the-scenes and into the Museum where Arsenal’s trophies are on display, and hear more about the most iconic players and managers from the team’s history. This Arsenal Football Stadium Tour is available every day.

highlights:

• Visit the home and away changing room
• See the stadium, including Directors’ Box, press conference room and where the team sits pitchside
• Explore the Arsenal Museum, where the history of the club is told*
• Learn about the players with an audio tour.
• Choice of 3 voiceovers for English commentary (choose between former players Charlie George, Lee Dixon or commentator Nigel Mitchell)
• Audio guide available in 10 language
• Children under the age of 5 are free of charge but the stadium must be notified if a child is in the party.
• *The Arsenal Museum is currently closed until further notice
• Open dated ticket is valid for 6 months.
• Home fixture dates, the day before home match-days against overseas opposition and any other event days taking place at Emirates Stadium. Exact dates to be provided once fixtures and TV Schedules are confirmed throughout the season.
• E-tickets will not be accepted – you must present a printed voucher at Emirates Stadium.

BOOK TICKETS

Terms and conditions, you might also be interested.

The London Pass - 80+ Attractions & Hop-on Hop-off Bus Ticket

3 or 5 London Attractions, Hop on Hop off Bus & River Cruise

5-in-1 london combination ticket.

3-in-1 London Combination Ticket

Hop on Hop off Bus, London Eye, Tower of London & River Cruise

The london eye entry ticket.

This website uses cookies to improve your browsing experience and analyze the use of the website. Learn More

Reserve Your Spot with Confidence! Full Refunds with 24 Hrs Notice. Reschedule at any point, even after tour, if space allows!

Arsenal Stadium Tour | Behind the Scenes at Emirates Stadium

Emirates Stadium is the home of Arsenal Football Club, and much like the other clubs in London, they also offer tours that will give you a behind-the-scenes look at the arena.

This post provides information about what kind of tours are available, how to get tickets, directions to the stadium, and other important details to consider.

• Tours and Tickets
• How to Get There

Deals and Offers

• Chelsea FC Stadium Tours
• Wembley Stadium Tours

If you’re a fan of Arsenal FC, attending a match is one of the best ways to get close to the action and see the team perform live in person.

Stadium tours are another way to learn and experience even more about Arsenal, and this post covers every tour offered at Emirates Stadium.

Their main tour is included on multiple concession passes, and they also offer VIP tours which are led by legendary Arsenal players.

Each tour includes access to the Arsenal Museum, a personalized tour certificate, and more.

While there are some short matchday tours that last only 20 minutes long, most tour options are between 1-2 hours in length.

In addition to covering each stadium tour option in detail, this post will also provide information about how to get there and deals you can use to save up to 50% off tickets.

Emirates Stadium Tours and Tickets

There are currently four different tours offered at Emirates Stadium, including both a matchday tour and a VIP experience. Prices start at just £15, and you can enjoy this activity most days of the week.

Arsenal Stadium Tour

This is the standard tour offered at Emirates Stadium, and it provides self-guided access to some of the most notable locations in the arena.

Visitors can expect to see attractions such as the director’s box, the player’s entrance and tunnel, dressing rooms, the press conference room, and even Pitchside!

Everyone who takes this tour will receive an audio guide with commentary from legends such as Charlie George, Lee Dixon, and Nigel Mitchell.

You’ll have the opportunity to listen to this audio tour on a free pair of Arsenal earphones. Admission to the Arsenal Museum and a personalized tour certificate are also included with purchase.

As if all of that weren’t enough, every ticket is valid for up to 3 months, so you don’t even have to worry about booking a date or time to visit!

• £27/Adults | £18/Children (5-15)
• £22/Concession (Seniors, Students, Disabled)
• Free for children under the age of 5
• Purchase tickets or learn more .

TIP: This tour is included at no extra cost with the London Pass and the Explorer Pass .

Legend Tour

If you’re interested in a more personalized guided tour, this option includes everything from the standard self-guided service along with a 90-minute tour hosted by one of three legends: Charlie George, Perry Groves, or Nigel Winterburn.

Everyone who takes the Legend Tour at Emirates Stadium will receive a photo opportunity with their star and a signed photograph. You’ll also receive a free Arsenal lanyard!

Availability depends on when each Arsenal legend is available, and most tours take place on weekends at either 11 am or 1 pm.

• £50/Adults | £30/Children (5-15)
• £40/Concession (Seniors, Students, Disabled)

VIP Legend Experience

This is the most exclusive experience available at Emirates Stadium, and it’s essentially a half-day activity. The tour itself is 4 hours in length, and it’s hosted by both the legend of your choice and pitchside commentator Nigel Mitchell.

In addition to all the behind-the-scenes locations included on other tours, the VIP Legend Experience also offers access to the TV studios where they broadcast the games live from on-site at Emirates Stadium.

Since the tour is so long, it also includes a nice buffet lunch with unlimited wine, beer, soft drinks and more in the Diamond Club. This isn’t your average buffet, either – the food is prepared by a 2 star Michelin chef!

Visitors can also expect one-on-one time with their legend of choice, during which time they will receive a photo opportunity and signing session. 

You’ll also get a signed Arsenal lanyard, a premium gift bag, entry to the Arsenal Museum, a guidebook, and a personalized tour certificate.

The VIP Legend Experience is only available for adults over the age of 16. Tickets can sell out several months in advance, so we recommend checking back frequently to make sure you don’t miss out on this opportunity.

• £325 per person
• Purchase the VIP Legend Experience or learn more .

Matchday Tour

As the name implies, these tours are only offered on matchdays, and they’re a bit more limited in scope (60 min) as a result of the limited time available for behind-the-scenes activities on these days.

That said, if you’re already planning to arrive at the stadium early, this could be a good way to pass the time before the match begins. 

The following tour types are available as matchday tours:

• Whistlestop (20 min)

There are also early bird prices available for those who take the earliest tours (9:20 am).

Here are the prices for each matchday tour at Emirates Stadium:

Arsenal Stadium Tour | Matchday Prices

• £35/Adults | £25/Children (5-15)
• £30/Concession (Seniors, Students, Disabled)

Legend Tour at Emirates Stadium | Matchday Prices

• £55/Adults | £35/Children (5-15)
• £45/Concession (Seniors, Students, Disabled)

Whistlestop Tour at Emirates Stadium | Matchday Prices

• £15/Adults | £10/Children (5-15)
• £13/Concession (Seniors, Students, Disabled)

Early Bird Tour (9:20 am) | Matchday Prices

• £29/Adults | £20/Children (5-15)
• £24/Concession (Seniors, Students, Disabled)

Purchase tickets for a Matchday Tour or learn more .

How to Get to Emirates Stadium

The home of Arsenal Football Club is located just northeast of the city centre at Hornsey Rd, London N7 7AJ, United Kingdom. There are several train and tube stations nearby, and you can also take the bus if necessary.

Here are the closest stations and stops for all public transit options:

• Underground Station: Arsenal
• Train Station: Drayton Park
• Bus Stop: Holloway Road

TIP: The National Railway train is one of the easiest ways to get here, and if you get at least two train tickets to the stadium, you’ll be eligible for 2 for 1 pricing on the Arsenal Stadium Tour!

There are a few different ways to save money on tickets to the Emirates Stadium Tour, and this section covers each opportunity. Depending on which offer you choose, you can expect to save up to 50% off (or possibly even more).

London Tourist Passes

The standard Arsenal Stadium Tour is currently included with two different concession passes:

• The London Pass
• London Explorer Pass

The London Pass is all-inclusive, which means it provides unlimited access to dozens of activities for a set number of days. The Explorer Pass is a bit different, in that it allows you to pay one flat price for a set number of activities instead.

Here are a few of the other activities included with these passes:

• London Stadium Tour
• Wembley Stadium Tour
• Chelsea FC Stadium Tour
• Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Tour

If you’re curious about these concession options, make sure to read our full post about London tourist passes to find out even more about how these services work.

2 For 1 Deal

The standard Arsenal Stadium Tour is included with the 2-for-1 deal provided by National Rail.

All you need to do is buy two train tickets to the stadium, and you’ll be eligible to get 2 tickets for the price of 1.

If you’re already planning to get here by train, this is perhaps one of the best deals available, because it ensures you’ll save a full 50% off ticket prices.

You can find even more information about how to activate this offer by reading our full post about the National Rail 2-for-1 deal .

Combo Packages

In addition to all the other offers, admission to the standard Emirates Stadium Tour is also included with the following combo package options:

Emirates Stadium Tour + Stamford Bridge Tour

• £45.60/Adults | £34.20/Children
• £39.90/Concession (Seniors, Students, Disabled)
• Purchase this combo package or learn more .

Emirates Stadium Tour + Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Tour

• £44.65/Adults | £32.30/Children
• £43.70/Concession (Seniors, Students, Disabled)

Promo Sites

If all else fails, there are a few different websites that usually offer concessions on local activities in London. The two most popular examples are Groupon and Discount London .

Depending on when you check, you might be eligible for an additional promo code allowing you to save an extra 10% - 20% off or more!

Choose a Destination... I want them all PLUS general travel tips. Amsterdam Berlin Boston Charleston Chicago Dubai Lisbon London Los Angeles Miami Nashville New York City New Orleans Paris Philadelphia Prague Rome San Francisco Washington DC

About The Author

North America

United kingdom & ireland, middle east & india, asia & oceania.

Our international websites

• Français
• Español
• Português

Arsenal - Emirates Stadium Tour

Emirates stadium, london. saturday 29 june 2024.

Where we provide a seating plan for events, every effort is made to show you correct information. Ho...

More information about Arsenal - Emirates Stadium Tour tickets

Visit the world-famous Emirates Stadium, home to Arsenal FC, for an unforgettable experience. Located in the heart of North London, this stadium is the fifth-largest football stadium in England! As the winners of 13 League titles, 14 FA Cups and 2 league cups, there is much to discover at the official stadium of one of the world’s most successful football clubs.

Behind-the-scenes at the Emirates Stadium

Explore behind-the-scenes at the Emirates and put yourself in the shoes of your favourite players. Sense the pressure that managers feel in the Press Room and wander the home and away dressing rooms before following in the footsteps of the team down the players’ tunnel. Take in the astonishing sights of the Emirates pitch before going pitch side and soaking in the sensational views of the stadium before taking your seat in the dugout where the manager sits when watching the games.

Audio Commentary throughout Your Arsenal FC Tour

Enjoy audio commentary throughout your Arsenal FC tour, giving you a fascinating insight into the rich history of Arsenal football club. Learn secrets and facts as you explore the stadium.

Visit the Arsenal Museum

End your day at the Arsenal Museum where you'll see the Club’s trophy cabinet and some of their most stand-out footballing moments. If you want a souvenir to remember your trip to the Emirates, have a look around the official Arsenal shop next to the stadium where you can find offical merchandise and signed memorabilia.

The Emirates Stadium Tour Route will be subject to disruptions due to Internal Pitch Events taking place. The following areas will have limited or no access during these dates: Diamond Club, Dressing Rooms, Dugouts.

Opening Hours:

Opening hours Monday to Saturday: 10:00 - 18:00 (last entry 17:00) Sundays: 10:00 - 16:00 (last entry 15:00) The day after matchday we will be open an additional hour. The Arsenal Museum closes 30 minutes after the Stadium Tours. Emirates Stadium Tours unavailable on these certain dates due to home fixtures or Stadium Events*:

Please note:

Please show your E-ticket on your phone at Emirates Stadium. *The tour will not operate on home fixture dates, the day before home fixtures against overseas teams and any other event days taking place at Emirates Stadium. Please check Arsenal FC home fixtures for more details. Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.

Walk down the players' tunnel.

Visit the Directors Box.

See press Conference facilities.

Enjoy the commentary of your thrilling audio guide.

Take a trip to the interactive Arsenal Museum.

Emirates Stadium Tour

Audio guide available in 10 languages (including British Sign Language)

Entry to the Arsenal Museum

Arsenal branded headphones

Food and drink

We and selected third parties use cookies in order to run this website. We also use analytical cookies to improve the website and marketing cookies to provide you with personalised content. By clicking "Accept", you consent to this and to the sharing of your data with our partners. If you choose to decline, we will only use the necessary, functional cookies. Please read our cookies policy for more information.

Accept Reject

Get the best deals on Arsenal Football tickets

Score the lowest prices on tickets.

• Emirates Stadium Tour: This guided tour takes you through various areas of the stadium, including the players' tunnel, the dressing rooms, the pitchside, and the media areas. You can learn about the club's history, see iconic memorabilia, and take memorable photos. The tour typically lasts around 60 to 90 minutes. An audio tour is also available in 10 languages.
• Emirates Stadium Matchday Tour: This guided tour takes you through various areas of the stadium hours before kick off. Including access to the Directors Entrance, Directors Box, Diamond Club, Players Entrance, Pitchside and Home Dugout. You can learn about the club's history, see iconic memorabilia, and take memorable photos. The tour typically lasts around 60 to 90 minutes.
• Legends Tours: On selected dates, Arsenal offers Legends Tours where former Arsenal players guide visitors around the stadium, sharing their personal experiences and stories. These tours provide unique insights into the club's history and are often highly sought after by fans.

• / Upcoming Events

Choose your event

MORE SECTIONS

• Dear Deidre

MORE FROM THE SUN

• Newsletters
• Deliver my newspaper
• Sun Vouchers
• The Sun Digital Newspaper
• Racing Members Enclosure
• Fabulous Clothing

• Premier League

Arsenal pre-season fixtures 2024: Who are Mikel Arteta’s side playing this summer and how to watch?

• Kostas Lianos , Digital Sports Reporter
• Published : 15:35, 27 Jun 2024
• Updated : 16:38, 27 Jun 2024
• Published : Invalid Date,

Arsenal are set for another busy summer pre-season tour in the US with some exciting friendly matches lined up.

The Gunners came agonisingly close to winning their first Premier League title since 2004 but came up short against Manchester City for the second year in a row.

ARSENAL TRANSFER NEWS LIVE : All the latest deals and rumours from the Emirates

Now the North Londoners are looking to finally end their title hoodoo this coming season and Mikel Arteta has decided to get his players up to speed with some tough friendlies.

Arsenal are scheduled to face off against Premier League rivals Manchester United and Liverpool in Los Angeles and Philadelphia respectively.

United will be looking to turn a page under Erik ten Hag, who was spared the sack at the eleventh hour after winning the FA Cup last season.

The Reds, on the other hand, will be entering a new era under new manager Arne Slot who is facing the daunting task of following up Jurgen Klopp's stunning nine-year stint at Anfield.

Read More on Arsenal

Bukayo Saka chant: What are the lyrics to song for England and Arsenal star?

Spurs chief Postecoglou urges top Arsenal target not to move to Prem live on TV

Arsenal will then return home to lock horns with Xabi Alonso's dominant Bayer Leverkusen, who only lost one match last season.

Arteta's men will complete their pre-season with the 13th edition of the Emirates Cup that will see Lyon visiting north London.

Check out Arsenal's pre-season fixtures and find out how to watch them below:

• July 27: Arsenal vs Man Utd - SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles (kick-off 1am July 28 UK time) - MUTV
• July 31: Arsenal vs Liverpool - Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, kick-off 7pm local time (12.30am August 1 UK time) - LFCTV, LFCTV GO
• August 7: Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen, Emirates Stadium, kick-off 6pm - TBC

Most read in Football

Foden’s girlfriend gives birth to boy with star to fly back for Slovakia clash

Clive Tyldesley to leave ITV after 28 years as final match is leaked by wife

Ex-Celtic star Landry Nguemo dead at 38 as Hoops and Eto'o pay tribute to ace

Bellingham fitness fears with England star feeling 'ABSOLUTELY DEAD'

The TV channel has yet to be confirmed for Arsenal's clash against Bayer Leverkusen.

• August 11: Arsenal vs Lyon, Emirates Stadium, kick-off 2pm - TBC

The TV channel has yet to be confirmed for Arsenal's match against Lyon.

• Arsenal transfer news
• Bayer Leverkusen
• Liverpool FC
• Manchester City
• Manchester United
• Mikel Arteta
• Los Angeles

Arsenal v Bayer 04 Leverkusen - Ticket Information

We are delighted to announce that we have a pre-season friendly match against Bayer 04 Leverkusen, which will be held on Wednesday 7th August, 6pm kick-off. 

Important Ticket Information

We would like to inform all Avenell Club, Platinum and Gold members that this game is not included in your Arsenal season ticket packages. Should you wish to attend this event, you must purchase a ticket for this game. Avenell members please contact the Premium Memberships Team on 0345 262 0001 (option 1) should you wish to enquire about availability in the Avenell area.

Sales Phases

Each sales phase will have booking fees of £1.65 per ticket, plus an overall booking of £2 and all tickets will be sent via email as Print at home ticket attachments.

In all sales windows you can purchase up 6 tickets per account and there is a basket limit of 10 tickets.

A 10% group discount is available for bookings of 6 tickets or more using the code GROUP6.

Ticket Pricing

*Concessions consist of Disability Access, Junior Gunner (18 and under), Young Adult (19-24) and Senior members (66+). Seat and entry checks will be performed on the day and if you do not match the concession purchased you will be refused entry into the stadium.

Disability Access Members

For all information on disability access and pricing, please click  here .

Children aged 13 and under must be accompanied and seated within reaching distance to an adult aged 18 or over when attending games at the Emirates Stadium. Please note that any bookings for Junior Gunners members aged 13 and under which do not meet  Safeguarding regulations  will result in the ticket in question being cancelled and a full refund issued.

Please note that young people aged three and under are not permitted to sit in the following rows:

• Lower Tier - Rows 1-20
• Club Level - Row 1
• Upper Tier - Row 1

Matchday Hospitality

Early bird pricing and the group discount offer will not apply to hospitlaity bookings. Please visit our official matchday hospitality page   to view availability from 25th June or call 0345 262 0001 and select option 2 for more information.

My Arsenal Rewards

My Arsenal Reward members will earn 200 points for each membership used in purchasing for this game.

Copyright 2024 The Arsenal Football Club Limited. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.arsenal.com as the source.

Fixtures & Results

Arsenal Membership

BEHIND EVERY MOMENT IS MEMBERSHIP

Arsenal Football Club Highbury House 75 Drayton Park London, N5 1BU

Telephone Number 020 7619 5000

Explore our  Help Centre  for answers to common questions

For all other enquiries please use our  New Enquiry  form

Website feedback?  Fill in our form

Report  abuse and discrimination here

Check out our exclusive Wallpapers for desktop and mobile today!

• Bahasa Indonesia
• Eastern Europe
• Moscow Oblast

Elektrostal

Elektrostal Localisation : Country Russia , Oblast Moscow Oblast . Available Information : Geographical coordinates , Population, Area, Altitude, Weather and Hotel . Nearby cities and villages : Noginsk , Pavlovsky Posad and Staraya Kupavna .

Information

Find all the information of Elektrostal or click on the section of your choice in the left menu.

• Update data

Elektrostal Demography

Information on the people and the population of Elektrostal.

Elektrostal Geography

Geographic Information regarding City of Elektrostal .

Elektrostal Distance

Distance (in kilometers) between Elektrostal and the biggest cities of Russia.

Elektrostal Map

Locate simply the city of Elektrostal through the card, map and satellite image of the city.

Elektrostal Nearby cities and villages

Elektrostal weather.

Weather forecast for the next coming days and current time of Elektrostal.

Elektrostal Sunrise and sunset

Find below the times of sunrise and sunset calculated 7 days to Elektrostal.

Elektrostal Hotel

Our team has selected for you a list of hotel in Elektrostal classified by value for money. Book your hotel room at the best price.

Elektrostal Nearby

Below is a list of activities and point of interest in Elektrostal and its surroundings.

Elektrostal Page

• Information /Russian-Federation--Moscow-Oblast--Elektrostal#info
• Demography /Russian-Federation--Moscow-Oblast--Elektrostal#demo
• Geography /Russian-Federation--Moscow-Oblast--Elektrostal#geo
• Distance /Russian-Federation--Moscow-Oblast--Elektrostal#dist1
• Map /Russian-Federation--Moscow-Oblast--Elektrostal#map
• Nearby cities and villages /Russian-Federation--Moscow-Oblast--Elektrostal#dist2
• Weather /Russian-Federation--Moscow-Oblast--Elektrostal#weather
• Sunrise and sunset /Russian-Federation--Moscow-Oblast--Elektrostal#sun
• Hotel /Russian-Federation--Moscow-Oblast--Elektrostal#hotel
• Nearby /Russian-Federation--Moscow-Oblast--Elektrostal#around
• Page /Russian-Federation--Moscow-Oblast--Elektrostal#page
• Terms of Use
• Copyright © 2024 DB-City - All rights reserved
• Change Ad Consent Do not sell my data

It will always be Old Trafford but the feeling around selling naming rights has shifted

“Excited to have our home named after a multi-national conglomerate,” said no football fan, ever.

But plenty have accepted it as a norm of football. Arsenal play at the Emirates, Manchester City at the Etihad, Brighton at the Amex. Weren’t they once called Ashburton Grove, the City of Manchester Stadium and Falmer respectively?

Advertisement

Barcelona ’s rebuilt Camp Nou will be the Spotify Camp Nou. That’s the same Barcelona who, for decades, refused even to tarnish the chests of their shirts with a commercial sponsor, before they gently introduced charity UNICEF as one in 2006. And now, like most other clubs, it’s a case of whoever offers them the most. Needs must, players needed paying — for that is where most of the money ends up.

Though it’s not always straightforward.

Real Madrid were considering naming rights for their redeveloped Bernabeu, until they weren’t. Tottenham Hotspur have yet to get a name sponsor for their splendid new home, over five years after it opened. Whatever.

As a Manchester United supporter, I didn’t like The Athletic ’s story that the club are considering selling naming rights for a refurbished or new Old Trafford . What is there to celebrate? And didn’t Sir Jim Ratcliffe say, when asked about the subject a year ago: “That would be heresy. I would not change it. It’s always Old Trafford.”

The story has certainly tested the waters of fan feelings on the subject. And the result? Well, it’s nowhere near the issue it would have been 10 or 20 years ago. Then, it would have been sacrilege, a commercially-driven bridge too far.

Now, in one poll on the United We Stand fanzine which gave readers three options on the subject of Old Trafford’s naming rights, 47 per cent said it wasn’t a big deal, 38 per cent said they were totally against it and the rest, 15 per cent, were unsure.

Times have changed. I hammered Liverpool -supporting mates when their sacred Kop was renamed the McDonald’s Kop in the noughties, because I knew it would wind them up. But now? We’ve more or less reached the stage where clubs put themselves at a financial disadvantage if they don’t sell the name of their home. And how depressing is that? All this just to help hand some future player £300,000 a week, because wages of £250,000 a week won’t get him to sign for you.

Old Trafford will always be Old Trafford to me, but what if it’s a new stadium with a new name — one that gets embedded from the start so it was never really called anything else before, such as the Emirates? Because sponsorship recognition is harder if there are multiple sponsors over the years. The first name tends to stick, but even that has to be done carefully: Cellnet Riverside Stadium anyone? That’s what Middlesbrough ’s new home was called when it opened in 1995.

Bolton Wanderers went with Reebok when the, er, Reebok opened in 1997. A company with local roots and all that. Now it’s called the Toughsheet Community Stadium. Tough s**t for them if people still call it the Reebok, a decade after the place became the Macron.

I travel to see United’s pre-seasons around the world and rare is the stadium not named after a sponsor. In recent years, that has included the Optus (Perth in Australia). Next month in the U.S., United will play at the SoFi in Los Angeles and the Snapdragon in San Diego. In fan-friendly Germany , I’ve seen games at a dozen top grounds which have all taken the name of a sponsor.

This isn’t resignation, and I liked that the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia, where United played in 2022, is still called that and didn’t need to sell a little of its soul.

I’ve also started ignoring the sponsored stadium names in England and using what I know them as, since they only have one chance at a name.

I completed England ’s 92 Football League grounds a few months ago at Peterborough United’s London Road. Except when I arrived at what is one of those quintessentially traditional British venues with four floodlights and four completely different looking and sized stands, I learned it’s now called the Weston Homes Stadium. Not to me, it isn’t — and probably not to their fanbase.

It’s your choice, your history.

There are United fans who still refer to the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand as ‘the cantilever’, or the East Stand as ‘K’, since a major section of it used to be called K Stand.

Everything seems up for sale in football, everything can be commodified for a price, but there are bigger issues for this particular fan. Ticket prices, for one. Even then, it depends on which fan you ask. I was alarmed at the prices of tickets for the tour in the States last summer, but when I got there, it was barely a problem for the people who had bought them.

If some good could come from a stadium name sponsor, such as subsidised tickets or maintaining lower prices for younger fans, then that would be welcome.

In fact, just expanding Old Trafford’s capacity, be it by redevelopment of the current ground or a new stadium part funded through naming rights, would be more acceptable than nothing happening. But we all know that when something becomes the norm in football, then it becomes the norm — another revenue stream.

I can see a synergy if a new Old Trafford is built with a new name, and I suspect it would be similar to what Barcelona have done, the “Something” Old Trafford.

If it’s a deal with a company which is perceived to be cool, that will help avoid some outrage. Whereas the Glazer Dome might cause a riot.

If United want the best stadium in the world, they need to knock down Old Trafford

(Top photo: Darren Staples/AFP via Getty Images)

Get all-access to exclusive stories.

Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Try a week on us.

Andy Mitten is a journalist and author. He founded the best-selling United We Stand fanzine as a 15-year-old. A journalism graduate, he's interviewed over 500 famous footballers past and present. His work has taken him to over 100 countries, writing about football from Israel to Iran, Brazil to Barbados. Born and bred in Manchester, he divides his time between his city of birth and Barcelona, Spain. Follow Andy on Twitter @ andymitten

Expedia Rewards is now One Key™

Elektrostal, visit elektrostal, check elektrostal hotel availability, popular places to visit.

• Electrostal History and Art Museum

You can spend time exploring the galleries in Electrostal History and Art Museum in Elektrostal. Take in the museums while you're in the area.

• Cities near Elektrostal

• Places of interest
• Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center
• Central Museum of the Air Forces at Monino
• Peter the Great Military Academy
• Bykovo Manor
• Balashikha Arena
• Ramenskii History and Art Museum
• Malenky Puppet Theater
• Balashikha Museum of History and Local Lore
• Pekhorka Park
• Saturn Stadium
• Orekhovo Zuevsky City Exhibition Hall
• Noginsk Museum and Exhibition Center

Opening Times

• Opening Hours

Stadium tour opening hours

Further dates and information.