The Real Cost of Following Your Team Away
Away-day weekends aren't just about the match. We've costed a realistic weekend for two adults—return train from London, one night's mid-range hotel, a Premier League ticket each, and a decent meal—across all 20 Premier League grounds for 2026/27. Prices swing wildly. Geography, stadium demand, and local accommodation scarcity matter far more than you'd think. Some northern clubs remain bargains; London derbies will ransack your account.
You might also like: Everton's new stadium guide for match weekends · Match day guide to Nottingham Forest City Ground
The Five Cheapest Away Days
1. Burnley (Turf Moor)
Total per couple: £280–320. Match ticket: £45 each. A train from London to Burnley costs under £40 return off-peak; a hotel near the ground sits around £60 per night. Pubs serve decent food for £12 a head. Watch out for: Burnley's away allocation is generous, but book accommodation fast—the town has limited beds and fills quickly on match weekends. Best for: Budget-conscious fans who don't mind a 5-hour rail journey.
2. Brentford (Gtech Community Stadium)
Total per couple: £310–360. Match ticket: £50 each. Train from central London is 30 minutes; hotels in Kew or Chiswick average £70–80. The stadium sits in West London's quieter quarter, so eating out remains cheaper than central spots. Watch out for: Brentford's away section holds only 1,700; tickets for away fans often sell within days of release. Best for: London-based supporters dodging the capital's worst price-gouging.
3. Bournemouth (Vitality Stadium)
Total per couple: £340–400. Match ticket: £52 each. Train from London (via Southampton) runs £35–45 return; hotels in Bournemouth average £75–85 per night. The seafront location means restaurants aren't inflated. Watch out for: Away allocation sits at 2,000, and Bournemouth rarely has trouble selling tickets to home fans, so you'll get access, but book within the first week of release. Best for: Families wanting a weekend by the coast.
4. Nottingham Forest (City Ground)
Total per couple: £360–420. Match ticket: £48 each. Train from London costs £50–60 return; hotels in Nottingham city centre average £70–80. The ground sits on the Trent, and the city's pub scene is generous and affordable. Watch out for: Forest's away section allocates 2,500, but demand spikes in autumn—don't leave ticket requests until spring. Best for: Fans seeking good value with a proper football atmosphere.
5. Brighton (Amex Stadium)
Total per couple: £390–460. Match ticket: £55 each. Train from London Victoria takes 1 hour; mid-range hotels in Brighton average £85–95 per night (pricier than northern equivalents). Away fans get 2,600 seats, so access isn't the constraint—it's accommodation cost. Watch out for: Brighton hotels book solid on match weekends; book 8 weeks ahead or expect £120+ rates. Best for: Supporters willing to pay for the seaside setting.
The Five Priciest Away Days
16. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Total per couple: £520–600. Match ticket: £70 each (away fans pay premium). Train from outer London areas costs £15–30; hotels within 2 miles of the stadium in North London average £110–140. Eating near the stadium is overpriced. Watch out for: Spurs allocates only 3,000 away tickets and often sells out within 48 hours. Tough access and higher prices compound the pain. Best for: Well-funded away fans with early-bird discipline.
17. Liverpool (Anfield)
Total per couple: £540–620. Match ticket: £75 each. Train from London to Liverpool Lime Street costs £60–80 return; hotels near the ground average £100–120. Away allocation is 3,000, but release timings matter. Watch out for: Hotels fill fast and prices spike on match weeks; book 10 weeks out or face £150+ rates. Ticket access is hard but not impossible if you register early. Best for: Fans with holiday time and deep pockets.
18. Manchester United (Old Trafford)
Total per couple: £560–640. Match ticket: £80 each (highest non-London price). Train from London costs £50–70 return; Manchester hotels average £100–130 per night. Old Trafford sits outside the city centre, so hotels near the ground are mid-range. Watch out for: Away allocation: 3,100. Tickets rarely linger; expect to secure them within 72 hours of release or face a wait-list. Best for: Rivals with unwavering determination.
19. Chelsea (Stamford Bridge)
Total per couple: £580–680. Match ticket: £78 each. The ground sits in Fulham; hotels within walking distance average £120–150 per night. Meal costs are London-level inflated (£18–22 per head). Away allocation: 2,800—often gone in under 72 hours. Watch out for: Stamford Bridge's away section is cramped and notoriously steep. Expect poor sightlines and premium pricing for the privilege. Best for: Die-hard rivals with expense accounts.
20. Arsenal (Emirates Stadium)
Total per couple: £600–720. Match ticket: £85 each (priciest regular allocation for away fans). Hotels in Holloway or nearby areas average £130–160. The stadium sits in North London; restaurants and pubs are central-London priced. Away allocation: 3,000, but releases follow a staggered loyalty-point system—newer fans often can't get tickets at all. Watch out for: Arsenal's ballot system for away fans means some supporters simply won't secure a ticket, regardless of budget. Best for: Long-standing supporters with Emirates member networks.
How to Actually Book
Away tickets release via your club's official channel, not Ticketmaster or Viagogo. Sign up to your club's away-travel scheme 6–8 weeks before the match. Most allocations go to season-card holders first, then members by seniority. For hotels: book within 48 hours of ticket release—prices jump 40% thereafter. Train: advance fares (4–6 weeks out) undercut last-minute by half. Expect queues and website crashes on release day.
FAQs
How do away fans actually get Premier League tickets?
Your club releases tickets via its official website. Season-card holders and members get priority; others enter a ballot or queue online. Away allocation varies (1,700 at Brentford, 3,100 at United). Register with your club's loyalty scheme months ahead. Away tickets rarely appear on secondary markets legally; Viagogo resales breach most club terms.
Why are London away days so expensive?
Limited hotel stock, high accommodation demand, premium ticket pricing by clubs, and inflated restaurant costs. A night's hotel in Fulham (Chelsea) costs 2–3x a Burnley equivalent. Clubs also know London fans can afford higher prices and set allocation-wide ticket costs accordingly.
Can I travel from outside London?
Yes, but costs shift. From Manchester to an away day in London costs £30–50 more in train fares; from Bristol to Burnley might save £20. Plan your route weeks ahead. Advance booking is essential—last-minute fares double or triple within days of the match.
What if the away allocation sells out?
You're unlikely to get a ticket legally. Some clubs (Arsenal, Spurs) operate ballot systems; if your name isn't drawn, you don't get access. Secondary markets (Stubhub, resale apps) carry risks: many clubs void resold tickets if detected. Your only option is a home-fan ticket, if you're willing to risk it.
Which clubs have the toughest ticket access?
Arsenal (ballot system, limited supply, loyalty points), Spurs (tiny 1,700 allocation, quick sell-out), and Manchester United (demand outpaces allocation). Easier: Burnley, Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth (larger allocations, less-intense demand).
Are these costs realistic for families with kids?
Prices listed are for 2 adults. Add a junior ticket (typically 50–70% of adult price) and another hotel bed (often £25–40 extra). Budget an extra £100–150 for a family of four. Some clubs offer family packages; check before release.
What's the cheapest month to travel?
Matches between November and February (except Boxing Day and New Year). Hotels drop 20–30% mid-week; train fares stay low off-peak. Avoid August (August bank holiday), December, and April (Easter/school holidays). Spring fixtures (March–April) offer the best mid-week bargains.
