Arsenal Tickets & Matchday Guide
Emirates Stadium • London
Complete guide to tickets, hotels, transport, and matchday traditions.
How to Buy Arsenal Tickets
Getting tickets to see Arsenal doesn't have to be confusing. This guide eliminates the guesswork by showing you all available options, from official club channels to hospitality packages to resellers, with clear pros, cons, and realistic expectations for each. Whether you want face-value pricing, guaranteed entry, or are willing to pay a premium, we'll help you find the right approach for your budget and match.
Official Arsenal Tickets
Arsenal uses a ballot system for most home matches. Red Membership (around £35/year) is basically required - it gets you into the ballot. For North London Derby or big Champions League matches, even members face long odds.
Quick reality check for visitors:
- • Big matches (Spurs, Chelsea, Champions League): Category A ballots are brutally competitive → Hospitality or verified marketplaces are your realistic options
- • Mid-table opponents (Category B/C): Better ballot odds with membership, especially weeknights
- • Cup competitions early rounds: Sometimes reach general sale without membership
- • Ticket Exchange releases: Members resell at face value closer to matchday → Check obsessively, members only
The membership + ballot system:
- • Red Membership required (£35/year) just to enter ballots
- • Matches categorized A/B/C - Category A (big matches) are brutally competitive with long odds
- • Longer membership history improves your ballot odds (Arsenal doesn't publish exact formula)
- • Apply when ballot opens, results via email within 24-48 hours
- • Thousands compete for limited seats even in members-only ballots
How the ballot works + when to enter:
- • Ballots typically open several weeks before each match
- • Apply for your preferred match, wait for email results
- • Success rate depends on match category, demand, and your membership history
- • If unsuccessful: Check Ticket Exchange as match approaches (next point)
Arsenal Ticket Exchange (your backup plan):
- • Members resell tickets they can't use - all face value, all legitimate
- • Members only access
- • Check constantly as matches approach - this is how you catch breaks when ballots fail
- • Your best official bet for last-minute face value tickets
What's realistically accessible without membership history:
- • Category C matches (mid-table opponents): Decent ballot odds with membership
- • Weeknight fixtures: Better availability than weekend matches
- • Cup competitions early rounds: Sometimes reach general sale
- • Ticket Exchange last-minute: Worth monitoring obsessively, members only
- • Category A (Spurs, Chelsea, Champions League): Near-impossible through ballots → Go straight to hospitality/marketplaces
- • Our take: Membership works if planning multiple trips over years. One-time trip? Hospitality and verified marketplaces below
Pricing (when you win the ballot):
- • Face value varies by match category and seat location
- • Category A: Premium pricing for high-demand matches
- • Category B/C: More accessible pricing for mid-table opponents
- • Still face value - much cheaper than secondary market
When Official Tickets Work
- You get Red Membership early in the season
- You're flexible on dates and happy with Category B or C opponents
- You check the Ticket Exchange regularly - face value returns pop up
- Early round cup ties if they reach the ballot stage
Arsenal Hospitality Packages
Premium matchday experiences with tickets, dining, and lounge access. Book directly from the club or through official partners. This is JUST the match experience - you handle your own hotel and transport separately.
Official Arsenal Hospitality
Multiple package levels from Club Level seats to premium dining experiences. The Cannon Club and Woolwich Restaurant with pre-match food, drinks, and quality seating. Match experience only - book your own hotel.
Browse Official Packages →Champions Travel
Official authorized hospitality agent listed on Arsenal.com. Premium matchday packages with dining and lounge access. Also offers travel packages with hotel bundles.
View Packages →Travel Connection
Official authorized hospitality agent verified by Arsenal FC. Premium matchday experiences with VIP access and dining. Specializes in complete travel packages with accommodations.
Check Availability →Seat Unique
Official authorized agent for Arsenal hospitality. Platform connecting fans with premium matchday experiences including VIP seating, dining, and lounge access.
Browse Options →When Hospitality Makes Sense
- North London Derby or other Category A matches when ballots fail
- Champions League nights when regular tickets are impossible
- Special occasions where you want the full experience
- Corporate entertaining in London
Arsenal Ticket Marketplaces
Secondary markets have tickets when official channels don't. UK clubs are less strict than German ones about personalization, but Arsenal still discourages resale. Expect elevated prices for big matches.
⚠️ Important: Resale platforms operate independently of Arsenal FC. While resale is legal in the UK, Arsenal can void tickets bought through unauthorized sellers. Always use buyer protection and purchase at your own risk.
LiveFootballTickets.com
Football-specialized platform with 150% money-back guarantee. Transparent pricing and understands Premier League ticketing.
Check Availability →Resale Market Reality
- Prices for Category A matches can get absurd - 3-4x face value is common
- Ticket Exchange (official resale) is always better if available
- Only use platforms with strong buyer protection
- Buy early - prices spike even higher as match approaches
Arsenal Travel Packages
Complete trip bundles: match tickets + hotel + sometimes transport, all in one booking. Different from hospitality-only packages - these cover your entire visit. Perfect for international visitors who want one-stop planning.
GO Sport Travel
Scandinavia's leading football travel specialist offering complete matchday packages: official tickets + London hotel accommodations bundled together. Direct contact with Arsenal FC ensures authentic tickets and flexible package options.
View Packages →Package Benefits
- Premium ticket access for sold-out matches when inventory exists
- Hotels in good London locations with transport access
- Someone else manages the complicated bits
- Sometimes better value than booking separately for Category A fixtures
Arsenal Matchday Guide
Plan your visit to Emirates Stadium: the best areas to stay, the most reliable routes on matchday, authentic Arsenal pubs and traditions, and how to fit a stadium tour into your trip. Everything you need for a smooth, local-feeling experience.
Matchday Traditions & Atmosphere
What actually happens on an Arsenal matchday - the real experience.
Pre-Match Scene
Fans start appearing around Highbury & Islington and Arsenal tube stations 2-3 hours before kickoff. The walk from Arsenal station to the Emirates fills with supporters in red and white. Local pubs like The Tollington, The Gunners, and The Twelve Pins get packed early. Many fans gather outside these pubs with pints before heading to the stadium. Street vendors sell programmes and scarves along Drayton Park. The atmosphere builds as kickoff approaches, especially for North London Derbies or big European nights.
Inside Emirates Stadium
The North Bank is where the most vocal supporters sit - that's the away end's opposite. You'll hear "North London Forever" and traditional Arsenal chants throughout the match. The Clock End houses away fans. The Emirates is modern and comfortable but sometimes criticized for lacking the raw atmosphere of old Highbury. Big matches bring it to life though - the place erupts for goals. Players warm up about 30 minutes before kickoff. The team emerges to "The Wonder of You" playing.
After the Match
Fans stream back toward Arsenal, Holloway Road, and Highbury & Islington stations. Expect crowds on the tube - Piccadilly Line gets absolutely rammed. Pubs around Highbury stay busy for an hour after matches. For big wins, celebrations continue across North London into the evening.
What to Know
- North Bank for atmosphere - that's where the vocal support is
- Clock End is the away section - don't wear opposing colors elsewhere
- Arsenal tube station is closest but gets mobbed - Holloway Road is less crowded
- The Emirates is quieter than old Highbury but big matches still create atmosphere
Getting to Emirates Stadium
London tube makes this straightforward. Multiple stations work, but Arsenal on the Piccadilly Line is closest.
Underground (Tube) (London Underground)
• Arsenal
5-minute walk to stadium | Piccadilly Line (dark blue) | Closest station. Gets absolutely packed before and after matches. Exit and follow the crowds.
• Holloway Road
10-minute walk to stadium | Piccadilly Line (dark blue) | Less crowded than Arsenal station. Good alternative, especially after matches.
• Highbury & Islington
15-minute walk to stadium | Victoria Line (light blue), London Overground | More pubs nearby. Better for pre-match atmosphere. Longer walk but less chaotic.
Journey time: 20-30 minutes from central London (Leicester Square, King's Cross)
Frequency: Piccadilly Line every 3-5 minutes, Victoria Line every 2-3 minutes
Cost: Use contactless or Oyster card - typically £2.80-3.40 depending on zones
Tips:
- Arrive 90 minutes early if using Arsenal station - it gets mobbed
- Holloway Road is smarter for avoiding post-match crowds
- Highbury & Islington better for pub crawl before match
- All stations clearly signposted to Emirates
Recommendation: Arsenal station is closest but gets crazy busy. Holloway Road is the smart choice.
Where to Stay in London
Best hotels for Arsenal matches mixing convenience with exploring London. North London options vs Central London with good tube access.
Near Emirates Stadium (North London)
Hilton London Islington
10 minutes walk to Emirates, next to Highbury & Islington station
Walking distance to stadium and pre-match pubs. Direct Victoria Line and Overground access. Good base for matchday.
Vibe: Mid-range | Rating: 4 stars
View Hotel →Islington Highbury Arsenal Beautiful Apa
Near Finsbury Park, 15-minute walk to Emirates Stadium
Guesthouse convenient to Finsbury Park with free WiFi. Budget-friendly option close to Arsenal with shared kitchen facilities for longer stays.
Vibe: Budget-friendly | Rating: 2.5 stars
View Hotel →Central London (Great Transport to Emirates)
St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel
20 minutes to Emirates via Piccadilly Line from King's Cross
Stunning Victorian Gothic building next to King's Cross station. Iconic London hotel with full-service spa and easy Piccadilly Line access to Arsenal.
Vibe: Historic Luxury | Rating: 5 stars
View Hotel →The Zetter Clerkenwell
25 minutes to Emirates via Angel station + walk
Boutique hotel in trendy Clerkenwell. Close to great restaurants and bars. Easy access to Highbury & Islington with modern European dining on-site.
Vibe: Boutique Upscale | Rating: 4 stars
View Hotel →Alhambra Hotel
20 minutes to Emirates via Piccadilly Line from King's Cross
Budget-friendly near King's Cross station. Direct Piccadilly Line to Arsenal. Simple but well-located.
Vibe: Budget-friendly | Rating: 3 stars
View Hotel →Andaz London Liverpool Street
30 minutes to Emirates via Liverpool Street connections
Luxury Hyatt hotel in the City with 5 restaurants. Mix business and leisure. Perfect for combining match with London exploration.
Vibe: Luxury | Rating: 5 stars
View Hotel →Hotel Strategy
- Book months ahead for North London Derby - hotels spike and fill fast
- Staying near Emirates means shorter commute but fewer dining options
- Central London hotels let you explore the city, tube makes Arsenal accessible
- Anywhere near Piccadilly or Victoria Lines works great
Pre-Match Pubs
Arsenal pubs around Highbury pack early on matchdays. Mix of traditional boozers and modern spots.
The Tollington
5 minutes walk from Arsenal tube
Atmosphere: Classic Arsenal pub
Long-time Arsenal supporter pub. Memorabilia on the walls, gets absolutely packed on matchdays. Proper pre-match atmosphere.
Entry notes: Arsenal fans only on matchdays. Match ticket often required for big games. Arrive 2-3 hours early.
The Twelve Pins
Near Finsbury Park station
Atmosphere: Irish pub, traditional matchday spot
Popular with Arsenal fans for decades. Good pints, outdoor space, lively pre-match scene. Slightly less chaotic than pubs right by the ground.
Entry notes: Generally welcoming but respect it's an Arsenal pub. Gets busy 2+ hours before kickoff.
The Gunners
10 minutes walk from Emirates
Atmosphere: Named after the club, proper supporter pub
Arsenal-themed pub with memorabilia and screens. Good food options. Family-friendly earlier in the day.
Entry notes: Arsenal supporters only on matchdays. Can require match ticket for Category A fixtures.
The Drayton Arms
Near Highbury & Islington station
Atmosphere: Traditional pub, good food
Popular with locals and away fans sometimes. Good Thai food. Less Arsenal-focused than others, more relaxed vibe.
Entry notes: More mixed crowd. Away fans generally okay here but read the room.
Pub Strategy
- Arrive 2-3 hours early for popular spots on big matchdays
- Many require match tickets for Category A games (Spurs, Chelsea)
- Away fans should stick to more neutral pubs or areas away from Highbury
- Pubs near Highbury & Islington station offer more variety
Emirates Stadium Tour & Museum
Solid tour of the modern Emirates with good museum. Less historic than older grounds but well-organized.
Tour Details
Duration: About an hour for stadium tour, 30 minutes for museum
Schedule: Daily except Christmas Day. Limited on matchdays - check ahead.
What you'll see:
- • Players' dressing room
- • Walk through tunnel to pitchside
- • Home team dugout
- • Press conference room
- • Directors' box view
- • Arsenal Museum with club history and trophies
Accessibility: Fully wheelchair accessible with lifts throughout.
Booking Tips
- • Book online in advance - tours sell out during school holidays
- • Self-guided audio tours available in multiple languages
- • Legends tours with former players cost more but worth it for fans
- • Museum alone worth visiting if you can't do full tour
Premium Options
Legends Tour
Guided by former Arsenal players like Charlie George or Nigel Winterburn. Personal stories and behind-the-scenes insights.
Notes: Higher cost, limited availability. Book well in advance.