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THE 10 CLOSEST Hotels to Chelsea FC Stadium Tour & Museum, London

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1. The Resident Kensington

2. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel London - Chelsea

3. Park Grand London Kensington

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Chelsea FC Stadium Tour & Museum

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• Fulham Broadway • 4 min walk
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CHELSEA FC STADIUM TOUR & MUSEUM: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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You’ll start the day meeting your PLT representative. They will present you with your match-day package: a Chelsea F.C. personalised replica jersey and a Chelsea F.C. scarf to get you prepared and pumped up for the day. We’ll pick you up straight from your hotel in our first-class transportation to take you to North London, experiencing some of the hotspots of London on the way to begin the exciting match-day build-up.

Next up is an all-access stadium tour of the Club’s very own Stamford Bridge. You’ll have matchday access to the home and away dressing rooms, the press room, the player’s tunnel, pitchside and dugout. There’ll be a 60 minute behind-the-scenes guided tour with a Stadium Tour Host. Afterwards, we’ll explore the award-winning Chelsea Museum - learning about the Club’s history. Then it’s memorabilia shopping. Fulham Road has high-end shops and restaurants near the club for you to browse for some unique items for friends and family.

It’s build up time! We’ll take you to a historical London Chelsea pub to soak in the atmosphere for the big day and watch some live football. Then it’s over to the stadium to watch some of the best players in the world warm up for the big game and get comfortable. The Big Game. Live Premier League football. The highlight of the day, watching the teams battling head to head for glory. After the game you will be picked up and chauffeured: to a high-end restaurant for something to eat, to a top-end bar to experience the nightlife, or back to your hotel to relax and reminisce about your exciting day. You choose; your driver awaits.

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Football: Museum and Tour at Chelsea Stadium in London

Last updated: 01/16/2019

Chelsea is one of London's most traditional and successful teams. I took a guided tour of the stadium's facilities and visited the club's museum and I'll tell you what to find there! Do you like the "Blues"? So don't miss these tips!

THE CHELSEA FOOTBALL CLUB

Chelsea's history is full of curiosities. First of all, the Stamford Bridge stadium where the club manages its matches have a peculiar characteristic: it exists before the club even exists . The venue was created as a sports center (London Athletic Club) around 1870. In the early 20th century, it was purchased by millionaire Henry Augusto “Gus” Mears, and in 1905, Chelsea Football Club was founded. Chelsea is not in the Kensington & Chelsea neighborhood as the name might suggest, but in the adjacent Fulham neighborhood. According to our guide's report during the tour we took, the problem is that Fulham Football Club had already been founded 1879 and, therefore, it was not possible to use the same name.

The proposal, then, was to call it the London Football Club, but all other London clubs were opposed to the idea, claiming that it was not the only club in the city to appropriate her name. It was then that they came up with the idea of calling it Kensington & Chelsea Football Club, but the name seemed too long. It was at a bar, at a coin toss, that they decided whether to name it Kensington Football Club or Chelsea Football Club. . Well, the result of this coin toss we know.

The Blues (affectionate nickname given to the club, since its official colors are blue and white) dispute the elite of the English championship, the Premier League, consecrating champion in 5 opportunities. In more than 110 years of history, Chelsea has won the UEFA Champions League (2011-12), UEFA Europa League (2012-13), European Cup (1970-71 and 1997-98) and UEFA Super Cup. (1998). Among the famous players who have passed through the club are: Drogba, Lampard, Fernando Torres, Terry and many others. Several Brazilians have played and still play at the club: David Luiz, Kenedy, William, Diego Costa (naturalized Spanish), Deco (naturalized Portuguese), Oscar, Belletti, Mineiro, Ramires and Wallace are some of the names. Felipão was even coach of the team, but he doesn't have good moments to remember.

TYPES OF TOURS AT THE CHELSEA STADIUM

Chelsea provide 5 types of tours for visitors:

• Stadium tour: It is the traditional tour, which visits the pitch, stands, press room, dressing rooms and gives access to the club's museum. The tour accommodates up to 40 people and is 1 hour long.
• Former Players Tour:  Available on specific dates, this tour is accompanied by a former Chelsea player, giving you the opportunity to ask questions, get autographs and photos.

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• Platinum Tour:  It is a tour similar to the “Stadium Tour”, but away from the crowds of visitors, as it has a more exclusive profile. The tour is for small groups of 2 to 10 people and includes lunch at Frankie's Sports Bar and Grill.
• Tour with lunch:  Combine the “Stadium Tour” and club museum visit with a 2-course lunch at Frankie's Sports Bar and Grill.
• Members tour: Available only to club supporters and takes place once a month. The tour lasts 1.5 hours, as it includes backstage areas of a match, usually reserved for players and referees only.

ECONOMY IN LONDON: ACTIVITY CARDS For those who want to do many things and visit many paid places in London, the suggestion is to purchase one of the cards that give you direct access to attractions and ride the tourist bus, saving a lot! O  THE LONDON PASS   is the most famous of them. The card can be purchased in versions of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 10 days. It entitles you to admission to over 60 of London's top attractions and 1 day tour on the hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus. In addition, the card offers more than 20 exclusive special offers at some of the city's shops and restaurants. See the full list of included attractions in this link . Price: from £69. Read more:  What to do in London – Complete itinerary of 5 days or more  

WHAT IS THE STADIUM TOUR

The Stamford Bridge stadium is a little hidden amidst the buildings in the Fulham district. Arriving at the entrance, it is necessary go through security (bags and backpacks magazine). Go straight ahead and turn right, following the signs that indicate the Tour and Museum. Upon arrival at reception, you must show your ticket purchase receipt. You will receive a Chelsea badge with the time of the tour you are going to take.

I left home almost 2 hours early and took the bus, but because of London traffic on a Friday, I ended up arriving 8 minutes late. Because of that, they managed to fit me in only one other tour 1 hour later than I had previously scheduled. It turned out to be the best thing, because I was able to visit the Chelsea Museum before the tour and didn't have to come back afterwards, as the tour ends at the Club Shop and not at the start area. The exit for the tours is on the ground floor, after posing for a photo with trophies (that photo to be purchased at the end of the tour). The museum is on the 2nd floor, but we'll talk more about visiting the museum later on.

1. THE BEGINNING OF THE TOUR

At the scheduled time, there I was in that tight little place waiting for the guide. A super nice old man who has worked at the club since 1973 (I think his name is James, but I'm not sure). They, super excited, were telling us stories about the club and explaining how the stadium works on match days in the area where the beverage and food kiosks are located.

Then we went to have our first contact with the stadium, sitting in the stands. Look, I had already visited the Wembley Stadium (England Stadium), Emirates Stadium (Arsenal Football Club Stadium) and Olympic Stadium (built for the 2012 Olympics and current home of the West Ham club). I confess that Stamford Bridge is totally different from them, as the bleacher is practically leaning against the lawn ! It's really, really close!

2. PRESS ROOM

Then the guide took us to the press room, where press conferences are held with coaches and players. In the same environment there is a small pantry where coffee and water are served to journalists and there is a side table for journalists to work, with free wifi.

3. DRIVING TEAM DRESSING ROOM

We started by visiting the visiting teams' locker room. It is relatively small, but what surprised me was that the guide told us that until a few years ago it was half its current size. I can't imagine how it was possible to fit in that space with 11 players + reserves + coach + coaching staff. Swear! The guide even told us that a work was done with a psychologist to understand why Chelsea lost so many games at home and it was concluded that the locker room was such a hostile environment for the visiting team that they tried to spill everything on the field.

4. CHELSEA CHANGING ROOM

The home team's locker room is much wider. It has showers, an ice pool for after matches, massage beds and a large area for players to circulate. Interestingly, although everyone has to speak English in the locker room, they keep players who speak the same language together. Look at the 4 Brazilians from the 2017 team next to each other!

5. TUNNEL AND LAWN

Everything is so close in this stadium that we left the locker room and entered the tunnel to access the pitch where players pass during matches. As we said before, it is absurd to see how the seats are “glued” to the field. What separates the bench from the sideline is a narrow strip of synthetic grass! On the other side, you can see the club's name “CHELSEA” written in white on the crowd's chairs.

NEWS THAT THE GUIDE TOLD…

Those who follow the Blues news closely may even know what I'm going to talk about here, but for me, it was great news. All information was passed during the tour held in May/17.

• Chelsea have just won the 2016-17 Premier League and are planning to expand their stadium. The idea is that the current stadium be demolished  (according to the guide, it is likely to be between 2019 and 2020) and, in its place, a new stadium with capacity for 60 thousand seats  (the current one has a capacity for just under 42 thousand). The field will be lowered by 4 meters in relation to the current one, since it is prohibited in the area to have taller buildings than the existing one.  
• The construction of the new stadium is expected to take at least 3 years and, during this time, it is likely that the team will be in charge of its games in Wembley Stadium (we talk about our visit in this link ), which is the official stadium of the England team. If all goes well, the 2023 season will be played in the new stadium.
• Chelsea is changing sporting goods sponsor . So far it has been Adidas, but from next season (2018) it will be Nike, which has signed a 15-year long deal with the club and promised to invest £60 million each season, according to our guide.

IMPRESSIONS ABOUT THE STADIUM AND FACILITIES

After having visited some of the main English stadiums ( Wembley Stadium , Emirates Stadium,  Olympic Stadium  London and Manchester United's Old Trafford), I can say without a shadow of a doubt that Chelsea's stadium really needs to be demolished and rebuilt because it no longer meets the demands of football today. As it was being built little by little and, initially, it was not even intended to be a football stadium, its characteristics still refer to an old, cramped construction, which does not meet the demand of the public and the needs of the club. It will be interesting to see this new stadium being built to keep up with the growth that the team has had in recent decades.

CHELSEA MUSEUM

The Chelsea museum is not very big and it is possible to visit it in less than 1 hour of visit. There are videos, interactive areas to practice shots on goal, a small cinema telling a little about the club and many historical articles, signed shirts and boots from former players who were successful at the club and much more. There are even items from teams that Chelsea faced in important games. Mockups of the current and new stadium are also on display. There is a shirt signed by Pele when he played for the US Cosmos and faced Chelsea! For Corinthians fans, the pennant delivered at the 2012 Club World Cup final is on display.

super nominate visit the museum before the tour because it is located in the same building where the tours start. If you leave to visit it after the tour, you will need to leave the Chelsea Store, walk to reception again, show the badge you received at the beginning and go up to the 2nd floor of the building. In other words, it takes a little more work.

CHELSEA STORE

The Chelsea store has two floors and is the final point of the stadium tour. There you can buy the photo you took with the trophy (remember what I said at the beginning of the tour?). If you are really interested in buying, keep the ticket with a bar code that you will receive after taking the photo until the end of the tour. It is also possible to buy various items from the club, such as official shirts, accessories and sporting goods.

The stadium is a bit hidden in the middle of several buildings, but it is possible to get there by subway. The nearest station is Fulham Broadway on District Line (green). After disembarking, walk around 5 minutes to the stadium.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Stamford stadium – chelsea stadium.

• Address:  Fulham Rd, Fulham, London SW6 1HS
• Tours: at least 2 every hour between 10am and 4pm – duration of 1 hour
• Museum: daily from 9:30 am to 5 pm
• Store: daily from 9:30 am to 5 pm
• Museum:  £11 – Exclusive museum visit (no tour) / we recommend arriving 1 hour before the tour to visit the museum
• Stadium tour: £24 online / £27 at the box office – buy online in this link
• Former Players Tour: Select dates and prices vary
• Platinum Tour: £55 (selected dates at 11:10am and/or 2:10pm)
• Tour with lunch: £31.50 (selected dates)
• Members Tour: £22 (only offered to fan members on 1 single date per month)
• Tours are only done by an expert guide and demand is very high. We strongly recommend that you book in advance so you don't run the risk of running out of time. In addition, ticket prices are cheaper online.
• Due to various events, some days tours and museum visits are not available. Check the website before you go.

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See more sports tips in London:

• Football: Tour at Wembley Stadium in London
• England: London Olympic Stadium Tour
• london tennis museum and wimbledon court tour
• London: Discover Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
• Football: Museum and Tour at Arsenal Stadium in London

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Dynamo Moscow's 1945 tour of Britain: Was it really 'war minus the shooting?'

• Published 13 November 2020

Fans got in any way they could - Stamford Bridge was packed for Chelsea v Dynamo Moscow

It was a Tuesday afternoon in November 1945 and the streets of Fulham were teeming. Tens of thousands of people were about to witness something most hadn't been able to since 1939, while for some it would be a lifetime first. They were on their way to attend a football match where a British team faced foreign opposition.

Local residents were hiring out their front gardens for bicycle storage, on street corners people were selling toffee apples, oranges and match programmes, while touts were getting £4 for tickets that originally cost 10 shillings - eight times the face value.

The pavements were filled with uniformed armed forces personnel walking alongside shift workers and children darting between gaps among the bustling crowd making its way to Stamford Bridge.

The desire to see the match was insatiable. Some blagged their way into adjoining houses to get a view, others followed rail and tube lines around the stadium to get in unseen. Steeplejacks, the intrepid and the many with military training climbed up the back of stands, sitting precariously 100 feet up on the stadium roofs.

The official attendance was about 75,000. It was clearly way more than that.

Some estimates put the actual attendance at over 100,000

The cloud of World War Two had dissipated just 13 weeks earlier with Japan's final surrender. The atmosphere in south-west London was one of joyful celebration, unbridled freedom and keen anticipation.

In a spirit of camaraderie engendered by the Allied victory, a Russian football team had been invited to tour Britain. They sent the league champions of the Soviet Union.

It was a club barely anyone in Britain knew anything about, other than some print journalists who had been permitted to attend a few training sessions once they had arrived in Britain.

At 2:25pm, out of the tunnel at Stamford Bridge walked a group of chiselled, mysterious looking footballers, ready to face Chelsea. This was Dynamo Moscow.

The long fight that both Britain and the USSR endured in World War Two, along with the enormous sacrifices Soviet citizens suffered against the Nazis, had made the Russian people hugely popular in Britain.

But throughout 1945 negotiations over Europe's future deteriorated into suspicion and distrust. The United States was refusing to pass on atomic secrets and the Soviets were occupying most of Eastern Europe.

No Russian side had ever visited Britain before, and the Foreign Office felt that "it would take much more than a football match to break down the real barriers which the Soviet government firmly believe in".

Pressed by its Moscow Embassy, the UK government finally ceded, but distanced itself by presenting the visitors as guests of the English Football Association (FA).

In a matter of weeks, British football fans would be left reconsidering their long-held self-perception as the world's finest footballing nation. And George Orwell was to refer to the tour as simply being "war minus the shooting".

Dynamo's players would warm up before matches - a rare thing in English football at the time

The early days of the visit did not go well. The FA had booked the Dynamo Moscow party into Wellington Barracks, St James' Park. They had even neglected to ensure that the beds had sheets and pillows.

Far from impressed, the Russian delegation refused to proceed with anything until sleeping and eating arrangements had been rectified to their satisfaction. Accommodation was found and eventually the Dynamo players were said to be enjoying the Turkish bath facilities in the Imperial Hotel in Russell Square.

The Soviets had a 14-point charter of demands for how the tour would play out, including that all games would be against professional clubs, that one match would be against Arsenal, that their players would not have to wear shirt numbers and they would be allowed at least one substitute.

Following protracted negotiations, a three-game schedule was agreed. After the third match, the FA and the Russians would discuss a possible fourth.

The British press was unconcerned about the ability of their visitors. The Evening Standard wrote: "Don't expect much from Dynamo. They are only beginners, blue-collars, amateurs."

In Soviet Russia, English football was revered.

In a 2001 documentary, More Than Just Football, Dynamo Moscow forward Konstantin Beskov said: "Until those games, we only knew that England was the motherland of football, that English football was the best in the world."

Leonid Solovyov, the Dynamo half-back, remembered: "They told us that Englishmen are awesome, that they can carry the ball across the fields on their heads."

But even faced with supposedly superior opponents, there was considerable pressure on the players to represent their communist nation in the most positive of ways.

As Beskov recalled: "It would have been a disgrace if we had come back to Moscow defeated. We would have been ashamed to show our faces in public."

Chelsea v Dynamo Moscow

And so, the scene was set for Dynamo's introduction at a packed Stamford Bridge.

The Chelsea crowd was bemused when the Dynamo players came out 15 minutes before kick-off, practising strangely repetitive drills with several balls. Surely wasting energy like that did not bode well for them.

Before kick-off, the Russian players presented each of their opponents with an extravagant bunch of flowers, much to the embarrassment of the home side.

What was a common pre-match courtesy in the Soviet league was received by the home crowd as utterly bizarre. A fan shouted out: "What's this then - Chelsea's funeral?"

In a way, the jibe would turn out to be prophetic.

Chelsea's players, pictured before kick-off with the bouquets of flowers the Russians had brought

In the early exchanges, Chelsea struggled to cope with the pass-and-move style of the Russians, who in the first 20 minutes had four shots saved and hit the post twice. The home side were on the ropes.

But completely against the run of play, Chelsea took a 2-0 lead, profiting from a defensive mix-up for their second. Then, just before half-time, Dynamo were awarded a penalty.

Up stepped Leonid Solovyov. He had only missed one before in his entire playing career. His shot was cleanly hit, but rebounded off the post. He remembered: "None of my team-mates said a word about it."

Dynamo would come back though. On 65 minutes, Vasiliy Kartsev took a pass from Yevgeniy Archangelski, passed two defenders and from the edge of the penalty area drove his shot into the goal.

And with a quarter of an hour left, Archangelski scored with a cross-shot that deflected into the Chelsea net. It was 2-2.

The home side now surged forward, with Dynamo goalkeeper Alexei Khomich making a number of fine saves, before a towering header from Chelsea's £14,000 record signing Tommy Lawton regained the lead on 81 minutes.

In a rousing finish, Vsevolod Radikorsky won the ball and passed to Archangelski who sent over a cross that bounced off a Chelsea player to Vsevolod Bobrov, who would otherwise have been offside. Bobrov smashed it home, the goal stood and the British crowd roared their approval for the Russians.

When the final whistle sounded at 3-3 crowds streamed on to the pitch, picking up some of the Russian players and carrying them to the tunnel.

"Dynamo were one of the fastest teams I have ever seen in my life. They flash the ball from man to man in bewildering fashion, often while standing still," recalled Lawton.

John Harris, the Chelsea captain, said: "At least two of Lawton's kicks were of such a type that no goalkeeper would catch, but Khomich jumped like a tiger and caught them."

The British public embraced that description, having taken the Dynamo keeper to their hearts. Although of average height, Khomich had strangely long arms, explosive physicality and was a fabulous shot-stopper. He was now forever known as 'Tiger' Khomich. He would go on to mentor his Dynamo successor, Lev Yashin.

Cardiff v Dynamo Moscow

For the second match, because the FA refused to change Saturday fixtures for any of their leading clubs, only third division Cardiff City were able to host the tourists.

Cardiff had received a royal visit three days before the game, so the railway station was already bedecked with bunting and flags to greet the Moscow party.

In the coalfields, steelworks and docklands of south Wales, empathy for socialism was common. So as soon as the royals had left, the hammer and sickle was hoisted above City Hall to complete the welcome. The Dynamo players were given a civic reception and the Russian delegation was delighted.

With the Soviet state broadcaster, Radio Moscow, covering the match live, before kick-off the 40,000 crowd sang along to hymns played by a uniformed band on the Ninian Park pitch. Each Dynamo player was presented with a commemorative miner's lamp, one of which remains on display in the Moscow club's museum.

Dynamo's thumping victory over third division Cardiff caused concern at the FA

Any nerves experienced by the Dynamo players in the first match against Chelsea were absent against the Bluebirds.

The Welsh team were 3-0 down within 25 minutes. They were swept away in the second half, conceding five goals in eight minutes on the way to a 10-1 trouncing.

It was by far the heaviest loss any British side had suffered at the hands of foreign opposition. And the mood of the tour intensified considerably.

The Soviet Union was supposed to be a ravaged nation struggling to rebuild. The fact they were able to field a team of such astonishing quality tore right into the heart of British post-war confidence. Surely the balance would be restored?

Arsenal v Dynamo Moscow

Arsenal were missing several players who were still stationed with armed forces all over the world. So they drafted in 'guest' players, including Stoke City's Stanley Matthews, Blackpool's Stan Mortenson and Joe Bacuzzi of Fulham, who had turned out for Chelsea in the opening match.

Dynamo complained, saying they were being asked to play against an England team. It was arguably a bit rich, considering they had requisitioned four players from other Soviet clubs.

Further complicating matters was the blanket of fog smothering much of south-east England. Dynamo wanted the fixture postponed but, given the number of tickets sold, the FA was determined to proceed.

Suspecting a fix being put into motion, Dynamo insisted the match be officiated by their Russian referee Nikolay Latyshev, who would go on to take charge of the 1962 World Cup final.

The game was due to be played on a Wednesday afternoon at Tottenham's White Hart Lane because the Ministry of Defence still occupied Highbury, which had been used as an Air Raid Precaution centre.

Queues had started to form at midnight, and by 10:30am the throng was so large the police ordered the ground to be opened. By the time Latyshev inspected conditions at midday there were an estimated 40,000 in the stadium, making cancellation a difficult prospect.

Fans queueing outside White Hart Lane as fog settles in on 21 November 1945

According to contemporary match reports, Dynamo took the lead within a minute, before Arsenal had even touched the ball - and not that many of the 54,000 crowd saw it. The 'pea-souper' enshrouded the stadium to such a degree that the referee insisted both his assistants run the same side of the pitch. There was plenty to keep the officials busy.

Matthews, who had been ghosting past players with ease, was one targeted for rough treatment. Dynamo's Khomich had to put up with plenty of crude charges and the Arsenal keeper, Welshman Wyn Griffiths, took two blows to the head. He was totally unaware of the score at half-time and was replaced by a spectator, QPR's Harry Brown.

Arsenal had managed to draw level not long after Dynamo's opener and three further goals in four minutes came before the break. Arsenal's second was a powerful right-footed drive from Mortensen. Thirty seconds later, another Matthews dribble and cross was finished off again by the Blackpool striker. Then Konstantin Beskov drifted through the Arsenal defence and shot across the concussed Griffiths to make it 3-2.

In the second half, Sergei Solovyov restored parity early on despite being blatantly offside. Arsenal had a penalty appeal turned down and then Latyshev sent off the Gunners' George Drury for throwing a punch. Drury claimed not to understand and slinked away into the fog.

Action from Arsenal's match against Dynamo - visibility was terrible. The detail here comes from contemporary match reports.

With visibility at now less than 30 yards, Solovyov received the ball in an offside position and fed a pass to Bobrov, who put Dynamo ahead.

The farce continued when Arsenal had what was considered a perfectly fair goal disallowed. Ronnie Rooke picked up the ball 40 yards from goal and went on a run at speed. The Dynamo captain, Mikhail Semichastniy, practically rugby tackled him, cutting the forward's head open in the process. Rooke threw off the Russian with an elbow, giving the defender a black eye, and hit a pile-driver from 25 yards that flew past Khomich.

Latyshev whistled and gave a free-kick to Dynamo where the original ruck had occurred.

Arsenal manager George Allison suggested to the Soviet Embassy's First Secretary that they concede the game to stop the nonsense.

His offer was declined. The visitors held on to their lead and won the match. Most of the crowd had to wait until the next day's papers to find out the final score. As the Daily Mail reported: "It was one of the most exciting games 54,000 people never saw."

The fallout put the tour at risk, but a mixture of desperation to beat the Russians and the fact that the matches had generated huge amounts of money saw a fourth match arranged. Dynamo would be heading north.

Rangers v Dynamo Moscow

In Glasgow, such was the clamour to see the game that tickets worth 21 shillings were going for £10 - almost 10 times their original cost.

Dynamo were awarded a free-kick 20 yards out after two minutes. With no wall to contend with, Kartsev stepped up and fired inside the keeper's right-hand post for 1-0.

Dynamo continued to dominate, but Rangers forward Billy Williamson managed to win a dubious penalty, which Willie Waddell missed by smashing straight at Khomich.

Then, Dynamo scored the goal of the tour. Bobrov, on the edge of the penalty area, drew in two defenders before passing across the box to Beskov. With his left foot, Beskov passed back to the right between retreating defenders, and the unmarked Kartsev smashed the ball low into the opposite corner. The Daily Telegraph said it was "as perfect a goal as has ever been scored at Ibrox".

Five minutes before half-time, Rangers finally had some luck. A hooked ball was falling about eight yards from goal. When it dropped, Khomich jumped to catch it and clashed painfully with Jimmy Smith, the ball bouncing off Smith's midriff into the empty net.

Despite intense effort in the second half, Rangers just could not make another opening.

But then Williamson drove into the box on the left wing and, when he tried to get past the full-back, Rangers appealed for a penalty. The referee waved it away, but changed his mind after consulting his linesman.

George Young stepped forward to take it. He hit the ball firmly to Khomich's left, with the keeper barely moving. The game finished 2-2.

Tickets for Dynamo's game at Ibrox were going for nearly 10 times their original cost

Arrangements were quickly made to organise a fifth match - a chance to finally beat the Russians. This time Dynamo were to be pitted against an English select XI at Villa Park. But the tie was never played. Just over a month after Dynamo had arrived in Britain, they were summoned back to Moscow.

On 7 December 1945, BBC radio announced: "The Russians have gone." Such was the impact of their visit, listeners immediately knew exactly which Russians were being referred to.

As David Downing, the author of Passovotchka - the brilliant book about the 1945 Dynamo tour - reflected: "They only won two games, but their style of play left a scent of magic in the air."

While Aston Villa were left with 70,000 unusable tickets, British football was left to consider its superiority.

Dynamo's players were presented with a commemorative pennant by the FA on the eve of their departure

The tour might have been heeded as a warning shot, a sign of where the national game was in comparison with emerging countries. But it wasn't until 1953 that British football found itself unable to ignore just how far the rest of the world had advanced when Hungary beat England 6-3 at Wembley, following that up with a 7-1 victory a year later in Budapest.

Following Dynamo's departure, Orwell wrote in his essay, The Sporting Spirit: "Now that the brief visit of the Dynamo football team has come to an end, it is possible to say publicly what many thinking people were saying privately before the Dynamos ever arrived.

"That... if such a visit as this had any effect at all on Anglo-Soviet relations, it could only be to make them slightly worse than before."

With the onset of the Cold War, affection in Britain for 'Uncle Joe' Stalin was becoming a distant memory and the government could not risk any impression of Soviet superiority, even in a football match. An invitation to the FA to take part in a reciprocal visit to the USSR in 1946 was robustly turned down.

Back home, Dynamo's players landed as national heroes. Several of the party were awarded the Soviet honour of Master of Sport. In Moscow, a popular musical was staged in which an English beauty attempted to seduce Dynamo's best player the night before a match. A book was published, titled 19-9 (goals for and against), celebrating their invincible tour.

For the Soviet state, the tour proved unequivocally to them that sport could be used to portray an image of Communist strength. Before another Dynamo tour, to Sweden in 1947, the players were summoned to the Kremlin. They were ordered to beat the Swedish teams 5-0 to remind them of the Battle of Poltava, a decisive Russian military victory of 1709.

Konstantin Beskov recalled the meeting: "Then the minister thought for a while and said: 'Let them score one goal.'

"We played two matches [against league champions IFK Norrkoping and IFK Gothenburg]. The score in each of them was 5-1, just like he asked."

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UEFA Euro 2024｜Belgium vs Romania (Group Stage) | Cologne Stadium

The UEFA Euro 2024 match between Romania and Belgium (Group Stage) is set to take place at the prestigious Cologne Stadium in Cologne. This event is scheduled for June 22, 2024 at 21:00. Football enthusiasts and fans alike can expect to witnessing this captivating clash between two formidable teams. The atmosphere will be charged with excitement as the players showcase their skills and compete for victory. Don't miss out on this remarkable sporting spectacle that promises to deliver an unforgettable experience.

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Copa America stadiums and host cities guide: What to know, food, drinks, trivia and transportation

Copa America kicks off on June 20 with tournament holders and reigning World Cup champions Argentina facing Canada at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

The home of the Atlanta Falcons is one of 14 stadiums across the United States that will host North and South America’s best international teams this summer.

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Many of you will be travelling across the States to follow teams. To ensure you are prepared for wherever you visit, The Athletic has created a comprehensive guide to every stadium and city involved.

From theme parks to cocktails, here are our recommendations to make the most of your Copa America experience.

How to follow Copa America on The Athletic …

• Click here to follow Copa America news  |  Copa America fixtures

Q2 Stadium, Austin, Texas

The basics:  The stadium opened three years ago and has a capacity of 20,738. The first game at the ground was between USWNT and Nigeria. Angel City attacker Christen Press scored the first goal there, in a 2-0 win. 

Food and drink: There are concession stands located in almost every corner with local restaurants and cuisines. If Texas BBQ is your thing, CM Smokehouse, Valentina’s Tex-Mex BBQ, and Slovacek’s, a Texas-Czech fusion food stand, sound particularly appetising. Bulleit Bar, Crown Royal and Karbach Draft are the pick of the bars.

How about some trivia? Q2 Stadium was the first soccer stadium in the world to have “just walk out” technology. Operated by Amazon, the “just walk out” gates allow fans to scan their credit cards at the point of entry, pick up their desired beverages (local Austin craft beers are recommended) and… just walk out. No checkout or scanning process is required.

What you can do nearby:  For lunch, we recommend Franklin or Interstellar for Texas BBQ. Then, get pre-game drinks at Hopsquad Brewery or Celis Brewery near the stadium. For dinner, try Tex-Mex, where Matt’s El Rancho is a local favorite. And if you’re planning on taking the celebrations into the night, go to a live music spot like White Horse or Broken Spoke. 

How to get there using public transportation: CapMetro, the public transportation provider in Austin, increases service on matchdays and the stadium is generally accessible from most parts of the city. The Metro Red Line train is considered the best option from downtown Austin. Fans can take the train to McKalla Station, just outside Q2 Stadium.

Which games will be hosted there?

• June 30: Venezuela v Jamaica (Group B)
• July 2: Costa Rica v Paraguay (Group D)

Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

The basics:  Oh lord, won’t you buy me… a stadium worth $1.6billion. This glitzy multi-purpose arena opened in August 2017 and can hold up to 71,000 people. The biggest event it has hosted so far is Super Bowl LIII in 2018, when the New England Patriots, led by Tom Brady, beat LA Rams, 13-3. 

Food and drink : For fans of Top Chef, Gamechanger is a must-visit. Kevin Gillespie, a finalist in the sixth season of the show, is a lifelong Falcons fan and opened Gamechanger on the 200 concourse western end zone of the stadium in 2017. He serves food he describes as “junk food of a higher quality”. 

Trivia : On July 22, 2021, Kanye West held a listening event for his album Donda at the stadium. Afterwards, West lived in the stadium for two weeks until the album’s completion, converting locker-room facilities into temporary recording spaces and living areas.

What you can do nearby:  The stadium is in the heart of downtown Atlanta. You can take a walk to Centennial Olympic Park, a 22-acre park built for the 1996 Summer Olympics. Georgia Aquarium, around a 15-minute walk, is the largest aquarium in the United States.

How to get there using public transportation : MARTA, a city-wide rail and bus system, provides two stops on the stadium’s doorstep. For $2.50 (plus a one-time Breeze card purchase of $2), fans can avoid the added costs of driving. The closest station to Mercedes-Benz Stadium is the GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Center Station.

• June 20: Argentina v Canada (Group A)
• June 27: Panama v United States (Group C)

Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

The basics: The stadium opened in 1996 and can hold 74,867 people. Before Bank of America purchased its naming rights in 2004, it was called the Ericsson Stadium, named after the Swedish telecommunications company founded by Lars Magnus Ericsson, the inventor of Bluetooth.

Food and drink: Angeline’s is a highly-rated Italian restaurant half a mile away, known for its pasta and wood-fired pizzas. If that does not whet your appetite, Fin & Fino is a great spot to grab seafood within a 10-minute walk from the stadium.

Trivia: The stadium is built on top of Good Samaritan Hospital, which was built in 1891 and was the first private hospital in North Carolina to serve Black patients in the racially segregated American South.

What you can do nearby:  If you’re a NASCAR fan or simply want to learn more about America’s favourite motorsport, the NASCAR Hall of Fame is under a mile from the stadium. Tours begin at 1pm and last approximately two hours.

How to get there using public transportation : To arrive closest to the stadium, catch the LYNX Blue Line light rail and disembark at Stonewall Station or Carson Station — both are around a 15-minute walk. Several bus routes also provide easy access.

• July 10: Semi-final
• July 13: Third-place play-off

AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

The basics: With a soccer capacity of 80,000, expandable to over 100,000 for major events, the AT&T Stadium is undoubtedly one of America’s flagship sports venues. It hosted the 2011 Super Bowl, where the Packers, led by Aaron Rodgers, defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25 in front of 103,219 spectators.

Food and drink: Concession stands throughout offer burgers and hot dogs, while the Sausage Supreme is the pick of the options for Texas BBQ lovers.

Trivia: AT&T Stadium is commonly referred to as Jerry World after Jerry Jones, the eccentric owner of the Dallas Cowboys. When the stadium opened, the big screen, otherwise known as the Jerrytron, was the largest HD television in the world.

What you can do nearby: Arlington is home to all 212 acres of the Six Flags Over Texas theme park. It opened in 1961 and is the first amusement park in the Six Flags chain. The park has 45 attractions, including 13 rollercoasters.

How to get there using public transportation: Unfortunately, there is no direct train connection from downtown Dallas to the AT&T Stadium. There is a train line that runs from Victory Station in Dallas to Centrepoint Station in Irving, nearer to Arlington. From there, a taxi is estimated to cost around $20. If you plan on taking a rental car, note that parking prices have exceeded $75 for other events. Shuttles run frequently from nearby Arlington hotels, dropping passengers off next to the entrance.

• June 21: Peru vs Chile (Group A)
• June 23: United States vs Bolivia (Group C)
• July 5: Quarter-final – Group B winner vs Group A runner-up

NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

The basics: While the Houston Texans have not had much post-season success, the NRG Stadium has played a big role in the NFL playoffs. The stadium, which opened in 2002, has hosted two Super Bowls (2004 and 2017), with the New England Patriots winning both.

NRG also held the Copa America Centenario semi-final between Argentina and the United States in 2016. Argentina won 4-0, with Ezequiel Lavezzi, Gonzalo Higuain and Lionel Messi on the scoresheet.  

Food and drink: The stadium has 38 permanent food stands, 32 bars, 11 grab-and-go shops and over 100 portable stalls, so a lack of choice will not be an issue.

For fans looking for some Texas BBQ goodness, Killen’s BBQ, available at sections 323 and 351, is a local favourite owned by Ronnie Killen, a native Houstonian. El Tiempo is a popular spot for Tex-Mex, dishing out fajitas, tacos and nachos, while Hugo’s brings the Mexican flavour at an upscale level.

Trivia: The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is held annually in March for three weeks. About a week before the rodeo starts, around 100 trucks arrive at the stadium carrying around 5,500 cubic yards of dirt — each cubic yard measures close to 200 gallons — which workers spend two days preparing ahead of the event.

What you can do nearby: The Astros, Houston’s MLB franchise, are at home to the Baltimore Orioles on the same day that Mexico plays Jamaica. The start times are five hours apart, so if you’re looking for something to do ahead of the game, why not head to see some baseball?

How to get there using public transportation: Fans can catch the METRORail Red Line from any of the downtown stations and take it south towards the NRG Park station. If you have rented a car for the trip, drive to the Fannin South Station one stop before NRG Park for park-and-ride.

Which games are going to be played there:

• June 22: Mexico vs Jamaica (Group B)
• June 24: Colombia vs Paraguay (Group D)
• July 4: Quarter-final – Group A winner vs Group B runner-up

Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

The basics: Arrowhead represents American sporting heritage. Opened in 1972, it is the long-time home of the reigning Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs and has a capacity of 76,416. Away from sport, it was the opening venue for the “Victory Tour” when Michael Jackson reunited with the Jackson 5 in 1984 after the success of his Thriller album.

Food and drink: Despite Arrowhead being one of the older stadiums hosting a Copa America match, its concession stands are modern and diverse. @ArrowheadEats is a useful resource on X that tracks all the newest and tastiest options at the Kansas City stadium.

Trivia: Arrowhead is officially the loudest stadium in the world. After initially setting the Guinness World Record during the Chiefs and Oakland Raiders in 2013 with a 137.5 decibel racket, the Seattle Seahawks fans at Century Link Field (137.6 dB) claimed the title two months later. However, the Chiefs reclaimed the title at Arrowhead in 2014, hitting 142 dB.

What you can do nearby: If you’re planning on staying around in Kansas City for a few days, why not take in some MLB baseball at Kauffman Stadium, yards away from Arrowhead? 

Kauffman is the home of the two-time World Series winners KC Royals, who will host the Tampa Bay Rays on July 2 and 3. The Royals have started the season strongly and could be a dark horse to go deep in the playoffs.

How to get there using public transportation: According to The Athletic’s resident Kansas City expert and U.S. managing soccer editor Alex Abnos, there is a bus that stops nearby, but the Kansas City bus service (RideKC) is notoriously unreliable. If you’re looking for a hassle-free journey to the stadium, the best bet is to rent a car, make a friend who has a car, or use a rideshare service (Lyft/Uber).

Which games are going to be played there: 

• July 1: United States v Uruguay (Group C)

Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, Kansas

The basics: Opened in 2011, Children’s Mercy Park was one of several soccer-specific stadiums built around the turn of the decade to help grow MLS. Since moving to its new home, Sporting Kansas City has won three U.S. Open Cup titles and an MLS Cup. The USMNT has played at this venue on 10 occasions, most recently drawing 0-0 with Uruguay in June 2022.

Food and drink: If you desire something more adventurous than the average stadium fare, why not head to World’s Kitchen in section 117 to try the chicken curry or curry tots? El Capitan offers Mexican options in section 122 if Indian food does not appeal.

Trivia: Based on the concept of stop-motion photography, the stadium was designed to capture the motion of the body and the ball. The building’s exterior of repeating angular metal fins represents athleticism and movement on the field. Or so they say, anyway.

What you can do nearby: To fully engross yourself in the soccer spirit, why not hit up a Footgolf venue near the stadium? If you haven’t heard of it before, it’s pretty much what you’d expect: golf played with your feet (and a soccer ball). The Heart of America golf course is a 30-minute drive from the stadium and offers 18 holes to challenge your friends (or pre-game ahead of the match).

How to get there using public transportation: As with Arrowhead, there is a bus that stops nearby, but the Kansas City bus service (RideKC) is notoriously unreliable, so best to use a car or rideshare service (Lyft/Uber).

• June 25: Peru vs Canada (Group A)

SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California

The basics: Opened in 2020 for a whopping $5.5bn, SoFi Stadium is the most expensive stadium ever built and it might be the best. It is located in the Inglewood neighbourhood of Los Angeles, close to LAX airport and famous west LA beaches, including Santa Monica and Venice. It has a capacity of around 70,000 and hosted the Super Bowl in 2022. 

Food and drink: To avoid long queues inside the stadium, we recommend sampling Inglewood’s rich selection of international cuisines before the game. Blessed Tropical Cuisine is one of several excellent Jamaican restaurants in the area and La Fonda of Inglewood is known as one of the best authentic Mexican restaurants in west LA.

Trivia: If you are willing to sacrifice a seat to be closer to the action, arrive early for the best standing-room spots. Standing-room tickets are sold in the 300 and 400 levels, but you may be able to snag a space with a seat in the nosebleeds if you get in position well before kick-off.

What you can do nearby: If you’ve booked a few days in LA, we recommend visiting the Getty Center for the views and museum. If you’re travelling with a family, Disneyland and Universal Studios will deliver for all. 

How to get there using public transportation: Take the Metro C Line and disembark at Hawthorne/Lennox Station, where Metro typically offers an Express shuttle service to SoFi Stadium on game day . If you have rented a car, you can park at this station for free and take the $4 round-trip ride to SoFi.

• June 24: Brazil vs Costa Rica (Group D)
• June 26: Venezuela v Mexico (Group B)

Allegiant Stadium, Paradise, Nevada

The basics: Located in the middle of the world’s most famous resort city, Allegiant Stadium is one of America’s most unique sports venues. The 61,000-seater stadium, which opened in 2020, hosted this year’s Super Bowl.  

Food and drink: Among masses of options at the stadium, Food Network icon Guy Fieri has translated some of his favourite dishes into stadium food at Tailgate Kitchen and Bar. The standouts on the menu include: the Motley Que pulled pork sandwich, the Prime Time Kobe burger and the Tailgater Trash Can nachos. 

For drinks, try a cocktail designed by mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim. His specials include the Bloody Fist Mary, Silver & Black margarita with Casamigos, and the Chucky with Gentleman Jack.

Trivia: Allegiant Stadium has a roll-in field tray mechanism, which allows a grass field to be brought in ahead of matches and taken out afterwards to receive sunlight. The mechanism weighs 19 million pounds and is powered by 72 motors.

What you can do nearby: They say a trip to Vegas isn’t complete without a flutter at a casino, but if gambling isn’t your thing, why not head to the Sphere? It is hosting the Darren Aronofsky “Postcard from Earth” experience during Copa America and you can snag tickets for around $100. 

How to get there using public transportation: The stadium is within walking distance of all the major hotels in Vegas, but it may not be pleasant in the height of summer.

Download rideRTC on your smartphone, where you can buy a two-hour bus pass for $6. A 24-hour pass is $8, and a three-day pass costs $20. The bus operates the Vegas strip 24 hours a day.

• June 26: Ecuador v Jamaica (Group B)
• June 28: Paraguay v Brazil (Group D)
• July 6: Quarter-final – Group C winner v Group D runner-up

Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, Florida

The basics: It’s been a heck of a long time since the Miami Dolphins reached the Super Bowl, but the NFL has used the Hard Rock Stadium six times to host its showpiece event. This year’s Copa America final will join a long list of major events across sports and entertainment to be held in Miami Gardens.

Food and drink: Miami is known for its Cuban population and influence, so why not try Cafe Versailles in Section 347 to get a taste of the local cuisine? Versailles has been feeding the city since 1971 and the classic Cuban sandwich with a side of plantain chips or an order of empanadas is recommended.

Chef Creole is another great option in Section 117. The concession stand run by Wilkinson Sejour is known for its comfort food, with jambalaya, stewed chicken, and oxtail among the extensive selection.

Trivia: According to reports, the stadium was built on land that was once the burial ground for the South Florida Tequesta, a Native American tribe.

Consequently, some fans have blamed the “Curse of the Tequesta” for the Miami Dolphins’ failure to win a Super Bowl since leaving the Orange Bowl for the Hard Rock Stadium.

What you can do nearby: Miami Carol City Park is delightful in the summer, with its playgrounds, picnic pavilions and large green areas. If you’re attending the game with family and young children, this is a perfect spot to relax before and after the action.

How to get there using public transportation: There is no public transportation system to the stadium, so you will need to drive or take a taxi.

Taxis are allowed to drop off and pick up at Gate 4, while rideshare services (Lyft, Uber etc.) are required to pick up and drop off at Lot 42 on NW 27th Ave. This lot is a 20-minute walk away from the stadium.

• June 21: Uruguay v Panama (Group A)
• June 29: Argentina v Peru (Group A)
• July 14: Final

MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

The basics… This 82,500-capacity stadium has seen pretty much everything from a sports and entertainment perspective. It has hosted the Super Bowl, Wrestlemania (twice) and even a Mass service held by Pope John Paul II. It was also the venue for the Copa America Centenario final in 2016, where Chile beat Argentina 4-2 on penalties.

Food and drink: You cannot go wrong with Stadium Gyro in section 134. Tacos Raqueros is another solid option. They have a variety of taco and burrito options, with the pork a local favourite. Make sure to ask for the salsa verde.

Trivia: MetLife Stadium will host the 2026 World Cup final. The venue beat out SoFi and AT&T for the privilege to host the world’s biggest sports event.

What you can do nearby: You’re only a short ride away from New York City, so you can spend most of your time there before the game. If you want to grab a pre-game bite, Chelsea Market food hall is a one-stop shop for international cuisine. The Los Tacos No 1 stall is always popular, but be prepared to queue. 

Central Park remains among New York’s best summer attractions, which is also very close to several museums and galleries.

How to get there using public transportation: If you’re coming from New York City, take the NJ Transit train from Penn Station to Secaucus Junction. Be sure that you’re taking the train to Secaucus, which are marked “SEC”.

Once you arrive at Secaucus, you’ll see departure boards that will direct you to the correct platform to catch the train to the stadium.

• June 25: Chile v Argentina (Group A)
• June 27: Uruguay v Bolivia (Group C) 
• July 9: Semi-final

Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, Florida

The basics: The soccer-specific stadium opened in 2017 and has a capacity of 25,500. It has hosted six USMNT matches and held the 2019 MLS All-Star game against La Liga club Atletico Madrid.

Food and drink: If you love Mexican food, try the Black Rooster Taqueria in Section 24. Achiote Pork and Black Rooster Asada are great options, but our pick is the Chicken Tinga. If you’re after a burger, the “Drunken Monk” at Teak Neighborhood Grill (Section 18/19) is among the best this stadium has to offer.

Trivia: It was the first MLS venue to have an all-standing stand. The safe-standing structure was designed to resemble the Victoria Ground, Stoke City’s former stadium.

The 3,811-capacity section is occupied by the main supporters’ groups, the Iron Lion Firm and The Ruckus. They have dubbed this section “The Wall”, in homage to Borussia Dortmund’s famous Yellow Wall.

What you can do nearby: Are you serious? Go to Disney World and Universal Studios, of course! Universal Studios is around a 15-minute drive from the stadium and is home to attractions including the Hogwarts Express and the Revenge of the Mummy rollercoaster.

For Disney World, it’s around another 15 minutes in the same direction. As well as the traditional Disney classics, you can visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Hollywood Studios, where the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Rise of the Resistance attractions await.

How to get there using public transportation: The stadium is in downtown Orlando, so it will likely be within walking distance from your hotel. If you’re staying slightly further out, SunRail is your best bet. Church Street Station is only a short walk from the stadium, so ensure your train stops there.  

What games are going to be played there:

• June 29: Chile v Canada (Group A)
• July 1: Bolivia v Panama (Group C)

State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

The basics: Since opening in 2006, the 72,200-seater stadium has been a prominent destination for America’s most important sporting events. It has hosted three Super Bowls (XLII, XLIX and LVII) and College Football National Championship games. 

Food and drink : There are plenty of delicious restaurants nearby, so we recommend going to the stadium with a full stomach.

NakedQ BBQ offers traditional BBQ sandwiches and platters with pulled meats, brisket, ribs and delicious sides. State 48 Funk House Brewery offers broadly similar options but with a wider beer selection.

Six speciality cocktails are available inside the stadium and we recommend the Valley of the Sun Peach Breeze and the Desert Heat.

Trivia: State Farm Stadium kicked off Taylor Swift’s record-breaking Eras Tour in 2023 and Glendale symbolically renamed itself “Swift City” to honour the occasion.

What you can do nearby: The stadium typically holds a “Preflight Party” before Cardinals matches on the stadium’s south lawn, suitable for the whole family.

This area has a DJ, food and drink, activities and, perhaps most importantly in the summer months, plenty of shade.

How to get there using public transportation: Unfortunately, there is little infrastructure to service fans planning to visit the stadium on public transportation. If you are unable to rent a car, your best bet is to get a taxi/rideshare from Phoenix to Glendale and make your way to the stadium from that area on foot.

• June 28: Colombia v Costa Rica (Group D)
• June 30: Mexico v Ecuador (Group D)
• July 6: Quarter-final – Group D winner vs Group C runner-up

Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California

The basics: Located around one hour from San Francisco, Levi’s Stadium is the Bay Area’s sporting mecca. It hosted Super Bowl 50 in 2016, where the Denver Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers 24-10 in front of a capacity crowd of 71,008, as well as other major sporting events, including Wrestlemania 31.

Food and drink: If you’re after traditional sports grub, look no further than Scratch Kitchen’s Nashville Hot Chicken Slider, crispy tenders and tortilla chip-style fries. For something more exotic, try the Ahi Tuna tapas or the Steakhouse “Tomahawk” boards.

Trivia: There’s an organically maintained farm on the stadium’s rooftop. It is the first rooftop farm on an NFL stadium and grows around 40 different crops, including tomatoes, peppers and edible flowers. The vegetables are used in dishes served in the stadium’s concession stands.

What you can do nearby: California’s Great America is a 112-acre theme park located an eight-minute walk away from Levi’s Stadium. It falls into the traditional category of amusement parks, but there are enough modern rollercoasters to keep thrill-seekers entertained.

For tech heads, the Intel Museum is within a 30-minute walk (or 20-minute ACE ride) of the stadium. It has exhibits of Intel’s products and history and plenty of interactive facilities for children.

How to get there using public transportation: You can ride the VTA light rail to the stadium. The closest stations are the Great America station (located just west of Levi’s) and the Lick Mill station to the east.

For patrons attending from San Francisco, VTA offers a dedicated shuttle bus service to the stadium from the Warm Springs BART station. Warm Springs can be reached on the BART green line from the Embarcadero station in downtown San Francisco.

• June 22: Ecuador v Venezuela (Group B)
• July 2: Brazil v Colombia (Group D)  

(Top photos: Getty Images; design: John Bradford)

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Elias Burke is a staff writer covering European football and transfers. He has previously covered U.S. soccer, West Bromwich Albion and Derby County for The Athletic. He is based in London. Follow Elias on Twitter @eliasburke Follow Elias on Twitter @ eliasburke