London guide for football fans — Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea, West Ham

London is the capital of English football, home to four of the most famous clubs in the world — Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea West Ham United. In an average weekend you can watch two Premier League matches, taste the authentic English stadium atmosphere, and also enjoy the biggest city in Europe.

London's four stadiums

Emirates Stadium — Arsenal (60,704 seats)

Emirates Stadium, opened in 2006 in the Islington neighborhood (north London), is one of the most impressive stadiums in England. Its capacity of 60,704 seats makes it one of the biggest in the Premier League. The stadium is right next to the Arsenal Underground station (Piccadilly line) — a very convenient trip from the heart of London. Arsenal's home crowd draws fans from all over the world, and the atmosphere in the north home end is electric. Average attendance stands at over 99% of capacity throughout the season. Arsenal tickets »

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium — Spurs (62,850 seats)

Tottenham's new stadium, opened in 2019 in the Tottenham neighborhood (northeast London), is today one of the most advanced stadiums in the world. In brief: 62,850 seats, a retractable roof, an NFL pitch beneath the natural grass, and a huge beer garden overlooking the field. The stadium is admittedly in a less touristy area, but that only heightens the authentic experience. Tottenham tickets »

Stamford Bridge — Chelsea (40,341 seats)

Chelsea's stadium in Fulham (southwest London) is the smallest of the four stadiums, but its atmosphere is unforgettable. 40,341 seats make every match a relatively intimate event. Fulham Broadway Underground station (District line) is right nearby. Chelsea tickets »

London Stadium — West Ham (62,500 seats)

London Stadium, built for the 2012 London Olympics in the Stratford neighborhood (east London), became West Ham's home in 2016. Its capacity of 62,500 seats is impressive. The Westfield Stratford City shopping center is right next to it — perfect before and after the match.

Tickets: what to know before booking

Premier League tickets in London are among the most sought-after in the world. For fans from abroad who want to secure a seat in advance, TikTik offers guaranteed tickets for all four clubs.

Flights from Israel to London

The flight time from Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) to London is about 5 hours. El Al operates daily flights to the two main airports:

• Heathrow (LHR) — the largest, more central, the Tube reaches central London within 45 minutes (Piccadilly line)
• Gatwick (LGW) — Wizz Air and Ryanair flights (cheaper), the Gatwick Express train to the center in 30 minutes
• Stansted (STN) — mainly Ryanair, further from the center (55 minutes by bus/train)

Recommended neighborhoods to stay in

• Central London (Zone 1-2): Covent Garden, Holborn, Southwark — expensive but accessible to everything.
• Southwark / Bermondsey: Good for a mid-range budget, close to Borough Market.
• Shepherd's Bush: Fairly central, close to Stamford Bridge (20 minutes on the Tube).
• Stratford: If your main goal is London Stadium — practical and less expensive.

Public transport: The Tube

The London Underground is the best way to reach the stadiums:

• Arsenal: Piccadilly line, Arsenal station (Zone 2)
• Chelsea: District line, Fulham Broadway station (Zone 2)
• West Ham: Jubilee line / DLR / Overground, Stratford station (Zone 2/3)
• Tottenham: National Rail + Victoria Line (Seven Sisters station)

Kosher food in London

London is a paradise for Israeli tourists looking for kosher food. Three main neighborhoods:

• Golders Green: The largest concentration of kosher businesses outside Israel. Restaurants, cafes, bakeries, supermarkets. Access: Northern line, Golders Green station (Zone 3).
• Hendon: Close to Golders Green, a large Jewish community.
• Edgware: Quieter, with access to kosher food.

Weather and when to come

• September-November: The Premier League season at its peak. Temperatures 10-18 degrees.
• December-February: Cold (3-8 degrees), but Boxing Day is the most football-packed day of the year.
• March-May: Pleasant spring, the season heading to its close.
• June-August: No Premier League, but you can tour the stadiums.

Two in one week: entirely possible

On a typical Premier League weekend, two home matches in London can fall on Saturday and Sunday. If the two matches are for clubs from different areas, you can easily get around by Tube.

More experiences for football fans

• Emirates tour: Stadium Tours almost every day (£30 for adults). Includes the dressing room, the pitch, the media rooms.
• National Football Museum: (free entry) — 150 years of English football history.
• Wembley: If there's an FA Cup final — 90,000 seats, an experience not to be missed.

Frequently asked questions — London football guide

What's the best time to come to London for football?

September-March is the English football season. Boxing Day (26 December) is the biggest football day of the year — almost every Premier League club plays on the same day. November-February bring down general tourism, meaning better flight and hotel prices.

How do I get to Emirates Stadium?

The simplest way: the Piccadilly line (dark blue), get off at Arsenal station. Travel time from King's Cross: about 3 minutes. From Leicester Square: about 10 minutes. It's recommended to leave 90 minutes before the match.

Are there kosher food options near the stadiums?

Near the Emirates: Golders Green is about 15 minutes by Tube. It's worth eating before the match. The best solution: food from Golders Green before and after every match in north London.

Can I see two matches on one trip?

Absolutely. Saturday through Sunday works great. If the two matches are for two different clubs, the Tube makes it easy to get around.

Does the Tube run on matchday?

Yes, the Tube runs 7 days a week. On big matchday evenings there are Oyster-only signs at stations near the stadium. Trains after the match are very crowded — wait 20-30 minutes for the crowds to clear.

See also: Sports news | Arsenal tickets | Tottenham tickets | Chelsea tickets