To football fans, young and old, London offers various opportunities to visit the stadiums and museums of the main British teams, known at European level.
Purchasing the London Pass some of these attractions are free.
One of the most old clubs, founded in 1886, is theArsenal, who plays home games in the modern world Emirates Stadium, structure that takes its name from the airline that bought the rights. The stadium was inaugurated in 2006 and has a capacity of 60.432 seats. It is located in the north east area of the city and can be reached by the underground (Piccadilly line) getting off at the Arsenal stop, the only stop that owes its name to a football club, thanks to the battle of an old coach who in 1932 managed to obtain this privilege.
It's possible visit the structure independently, at the entrance you are provided with an audio guide in English that tells the story of the club and tells the recent events and those that have made this team one of the most successful in the Premier League. In addition to the stadium, a museum has been set up with jerseys, trophies, photographs and stories to testify victories and achievements. There is, of course, a shop where you can buy gadgets and souvenirs.
The other important team from London, also known to us because it participates in European competitions, is that of Chelsea, whose stadium is located in the Fulham district, in the south west of the city and is easily accessible by subway (Discrict line) getting off at the Fulham Brodway stop.
The exact name of the stadium is Stamford Bridge and has a capacity of 41.837 spectators.
It's compulsory to follow the guide to be able to visit the stadium and all the internal structures, the changing rooms, the rooms for press conferences, the recreation rooms and to be able to sit in the stands.
Here too it is possible to visit the museum, where the relics are kept and where the story of an English club that has achieved notable international achievements in recent years is told, and there is a shop for passionate sports collectors.
Another stadium included in the London Pass and which deserves to be seen, more than anything else from an architectural point of view, is the Wembley Stadium, one of the largest in the world and designed by the English architect Norman Foster.
It is located in the homonymous suburb of London, north west of the city, outside the tourist areas.
It was designed to be a building that hosts major sporting and entertainment events and stands in place of the old stadium that was built in the 20s on the occasion of the Exhibition ofBritish Empire held in London in 1924. In this modern structure the matches of the English national team are held, some matches of the football tournament of the last Olympics have been hosted, competitions of various sports and music concerts are held. It has a very large capacity, can accommodate up to 90.000 spectators, four times what the old stadium demolished in 2003 could occupy. From an architectural point of view it is the most interesting and the element that most characterizes it, which can also be seen from afar. , is the 133 m arch that partially supports the roof, a movable structure that can leave the field partially uncovered or can close it completely to make the building more usable. To see the stadium you have to wait for the tour and the guide who tells the construction details, curiosities and anecdotes of one of the symbols of contemporary London.
