Watching football in the stadium is an experience like no other. It ramps up the excitement, gets you more engaged with the game, and you can even make more friends.
But, if you are planning a first-time live football match, then there are some things you need to consider. It can get a bit overwhelming when there are thousands of fans around, so it’s best to be prepared. As a first-timer, read on to discover all you need to know about this thrilling experience.
Grab your tickets early
If you’re planning on going to a game, you need tickets. For big games, these can be snapped up quickly, so get buying early. You can do this online and the sooner you do it the better. Check the prices of the tickets too, as the popularity of the game, the stadium, or even the weather, can affect the pricing. If it’s all too much, you can use services like Go Sport Travel, which offer packages for specific football matches and events.
Pick your seats carefully
As a first-timer, you should not only pick the stadium you visit (each one is different), but take care when selecting your seats. If you’re going for the first time, you will want the best experience. This means picking prime seats in the fan section for your team. In order to watch the whole game easily, with a full view of the pitch, pick something on the halfway line. And, you don’t want to pick something too high up otherwise you won’t be able to see individual players. Bear in mind though, the better the seat, the higher the price.
Getting there on time
You’re not going to want to miss the start so make sure you get there on time. But, this doesn’t mean arriving just in time for kick-off. Far from it. In fact, with a football game you should get there early. This is because you will have to go through the ticketing section, which can take time as there is security to go through as well.
Not only that, but you do need to make allowances for travel issues. Typically, on match days, there is more traffic around stadiums. If you drive, you’ll need to find parking if you haven’t pre-booked it and so on. Give yourself a window of a couple of hours so that you can have a more stress-free experience.
Dress appropriately
Stadiums are open venues, so you do need to check the weather. Depending on the time of year, this could mean a t-shirt and sunscreen. Or, it could mean a thick jumper and a coat, or even a rain jacket. Checking the weather before you go ensures you’re prepared for all eventualities and will enjoy the game no matter the weather.
Settle in for the long haul
Football games are 90 minutes long officially. However, depending on the game there may also be overtime. Not only that, but during the game there will be stoppages, injury time, timeouts and more. Most football games take at least 2 hours as there is also a break in the middle for 15 minutes as well. Depending on the game, it may have extended overtime or even penalties to play for, which can dramatically lengthen the game. Be prepared for this.
If you take note of all these tips, then you’re more likely to have a good time at the live football game. Even if you’re not a newcomer to this, these tips work for everyone.