Football trip to England: How to plan for the fall when the Premier League starts

Writer: Co-operation partner

The World Cup summer is over. The final at MetLife Stadium saw Spain emerge victorious and for many the tournament has now left a huge void behind it. But it won't be long before football fills the calendar again! This time on a continent much closer to Sweden.

The Premier League kicks off at the Emirates Stadium on Friday, August 21, with reigning champions Arsenal hosting newcomers Coventry City. Kick-off is at 9:00 PM Swedish time.

It is exactly 33 days after the World Cup final. However, the players' actual time off will be significantly shorter when pre-season, training camps and the clubs' own preparations are included.

For anyone considering an autumn trip to England, the premiere is a clear starting signal. The season also offers several destinations that have not been on the Premier League map for a long time.

Three newcomers and three new cities to discover

The most exciting thing about a new Premier League season, at least from a travel perspective, is that promotion is redrawing the map. This time it's Coventry City, Hull City and Ipswich Town who have made the step up from the Championship.

Coventry are perhaps the most interesting newcomer. The club is back in the English top flight for the first time in 25 years, with Frank Lampard as manager.

The city is located in the West Midlands and can be reached in about 20–30 minutes by train from Birmingham, depending on departure. Coventry is also famous for its old cathedral, which was heavily bombed during World War II. The ruins still stand next to the new cathedral and are a powerful experience even for those who don't care about football.

Situated on the Humber Estuary in East Yorkshire, Hull is a classic port city with old quarters, cobbled streets and a cultural life that gained extra attention when Hull was the British Capital of Culture in 2017.

Ipswich in Suffolk serves as a base for the English east coast, with places like Aldeburgh and Southwold within easy reach for those looking to combine the game with a day trip.

The point is simple: a football trip doesn't have to go to London or Manchester.

Smaller cities may offer lower costs for accommodation, restaurants and local transport. However, this does not automatically mean that match tickets are cheaper or easier to get. The matches of newcomers can be highly sought after, especially during their first season back in the top division.

Swedish eyes on the premiere round

The opening round also includes a match of special Swedish interest. On Sunday, August 23, Newcastle and Liverpool will meet at St James' Park. This will involve a Swedish duel between Newcastle's Anthony Elanga and Liverpool's Alexander Isak.

Isak left Newcastle for Liverpool the year before, which gives the match an extra boost. Two Swedish national team players are on each side in one of the most interesting matches of the round.

For those who want to combine football with a real city experience, Newcastle is an underrated destination. St James' Park is located right in the city centre, unlike many modern stadiums that have been built further out. This makes match day a natural part of the city. Pubs, restaurants, shops and the stadium are all within walking distance of each other.

It's hard to find many other Premier League cities where football is as visible in the city centre.

Plan well in advance and expect changes

A couple of practical things to know before you book. Tickets for Premier League matches are rarely sold outright. Most clubs give priority to season ticket holders and members, meaning you often need to buy a membership to get access to the regular ticket sale.

Availability can sometimes be better at clubs outside the top flight, but even there, matches can sell out quickly, especially against big opponents or during a much-anticipated first season in the Premier League.

Always purchase tickets through the club's official channels or an authorized hospitality partner. Unofficial secondary sales can lead to both high prices and the risk that the ticket is not valid.

Also, keep in mind that dates and kick-off times are subject to change. Television selection, cup matches and clubs' participation in European tournaments can move a match from Saturday afternoon to Sunday evening or Monday. It is therefore wise to book flexible flights and hotels, or to travel over a long weekend. Always check the match times again before departure.

Don't forget your passport and ETA

Since the UK left the EU, a regular Swedish national ID card is not normally sufficient for tourist travel to England. Swedish travellers need a valid passport. In addition, an approved British Electronic Travel Authorisation, ETA, is normally required before departure.

An ETA is not the same as a visa. It acts as a digital travel authorisation and is linked to the passport. The application should be made well in advance of travel and via the official UK government service.

Always check current policies before booking. Requirements and fees are subject to change.

Following the season from home

Not all trips will happen. After all, most Swedish fans follow most of the season from the couch.

In Sweden, the Premier League continues to be shown on Viaplay. Prime Video also has the rights to 38 matches during the season, normally one selected match per round.

To be able to watch all matches via the separate streaming services, you will therefore normally need access to both Viaplay and Prime Video. However, some TV and operator packages may bundle multiple services into the same subscription.

For those who like to delve into tables, form, injuries and match pictures, there is plenty of analysis material to browse through.

In The Gambling Cabin For example, match analyses and betting tips are collected before the rounds, for those who want to follow the league with a little more detailed focus than the television broadcast has time for.

As always, keep this type of interest within a predetermined framework. Set clear limits on both time and money, and never try to win back a loss.

A long autumn lies ahead of us

The Premier League season runs until May 30, 2027. The schedule consists of 33 weekend matches and five midweek matches, meaning there are plenty of opportunities to book a trip and plenty of reasons to keep an eye on your favourite club when they play at home.

The matches during the fall can also be easier to combine with a weekend trip than the most intense periods around Christmas and New Year. Flight and hotel prices vary, but a trip outside of holidays, long weekends and the biggest top matches can often be significantly cheaper.

It is therefore wise to start by choosing a city rather than a match. Those who want to see Arsenal, Liverpool or Manchester United often have to accept higher prices and stiff competition for tickets. Those who instead base their trip around Coventry, Hull, Ipswich or another smaller city may have a more unusual experience.

Community Shield gives the season an early start

The English competition season traditionally kicks off on Sunday, August 16th, when Manchester City and Arsenal meet in the Community Shield. The match will be played this time at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, which in itself makes it interesting for those who want to combine football with a weekend in Wales.

Cardiff is easily accessible from Bristol and London, among other places. The Principality Stadium is also centrally located, right next to the city's restaurants, pubs and shopping areas.

The Community Shield is not the Premier League premiere, but it often serves as the first clear temperature gauge for the new season.

The Premier League is closer than the World Cup circus

This summer's World Cup gave us matches in a different time zone, late nights and a tournament that for many felt far away.

The Premier League is the opposite. It returns every week, is played a relatively short distance from Sweden and can be experienced on site with a plane ticket and a free weekend. The match can be combined with restaurants, museums, shopping and trips to places that otherwise rarely end up at the top of the holiday list.

That's perhaps why the English league never loses its grip on the Swedish audience. When the World Cup party is over, a whole autumn of English club football is ready to take over. The only question is which city will be the next destination.

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