Nothing compares to a day out at Wembley.
The buzz in the air ahead of kick-off, the sense of anticipation all along Wembley Way, and the sheer spectacle of live sport at this magnificent ground make it one of the best places to watch sport anywhere in the world.
The west London stadium is the spiritual home of English football and the ultimate day out for sports fans around the country, hosting England fixtures, FA and EFL Cup finals, the Community Shield, NFL matches and much more.
The stadium sits proud amongst its settings, with the famous arch looming over west London, packing in 90,000 fans at full capacity.
This is everything fans need to know about match days at Wembley.
How to get there
The stadium is easily accessible by train and tube. Wembley Park, the most widely-used station on match days, is on the Jubilee and Metropolitan Lines and offers full disabled access.
Wembley Stadium station, located a quarter of a mile to the south west of the ground, operates Chiltern Main line services. Two trains every hour run to London Marylebone and Gerrards Cross.
Wembley Central is around a 15 minute walk from the stadium and can be reached on Bakerloo, London Overground, London Midland and Southern lines.
North Wembley station is around a half-hour walk from the ground and also runs Bakerloo and London Overground services.
Fans planning on driving to the ground should be aware that car parking space at the stadium is limited, but can be booked in advance here.
National Express runs an official partnership with Wembley Stadium and drops off customers directly at the ground, offering coach travel across the country.
Local buses to the stadium include 18, 83, 92 and 224.
Breakfast spots
First things first — sports fans looking to line their stomachs on match days aren’t short of good breakfast options in the area.
People looking for a pre-match fry up should seek out the Moulin Grill on Wembley Park Drive. It’s one of the best places to grab a full English nearby, but bear in mind it's shut on Sundays.
Ecco'la cafe and pizzeria is good for coffee and breakfast too, while Blue Check and Peppercorn are both convenient spots to grab a quick bite down Wembley Park Drive.
Sunrise Cafe, one of the most affordable choices, also does a good full English for hungry fans making their way to the ground from North Wembley station.
Pre-match pints
There's plenty of choice when it comes to pubs within walking distance of the stadium. The Wembley Tavern, found five minutes from Wembley Park station, is always bustling with fans ahead of kick-off.
Green Man on Dagmar Avenue is within easy strolling distance of the ground, while Greene King pub The Torch — located just north of Wembley Park station — is one of the liveliest on match days.
Fans walking in from Wembley Central can also pass by Thirsty Eddie’s on the High Road, which is great for Guinness. Fans on a budget should also visit JJ Moons, a Wetherspoons located just down the road.
A little further afield, the Globe pub opposite Baker Street station is usually busy with fans looking to enjoy a few drinks before heading into Wembley, too.
Bear in mind that door staff on busy days may request to see tickets before granting access to pubs in the area.
Kick-off
Walking down Wembley Way (officially Olympic Way) ahead of kick-off is one of the most special footballing experiences in the country, and something every sports fan in the capital should experience.
The journey down from Wembley Park stadium among the crowds, past the burger vans and merchandise vendors, takes around 10 minutes, and is the perfect way to soak up the match day atmosphere.
Upon arrival, fans can choose from food stalls outside the stadium, or head inside for more options. Be advised that while there is plenty of food and drink available inside the ground, they aren’t cheap.
Fans with general admission tickets in levels 1-5 can find kiosks selling the usual selection of pies, hot dogs, burgers and chips, with beer costing around £5 a bottle.
A range of hospitality options are available to members. Club Wembley's Bobby Moore membership entitles guests to food and refreshments in the exclusive Bobby Moore suite before select games.
A premium match day experience is also available through One Twenty. Excellent hospitality includes refreshments and drinks served throughout the day, including a five-course dinner with after-game supper options. It's all served up in a lounge bar and restaurant with views overlooking the pitch. For more information about memberships head here.
For the majority of fans though, it's just a case of fans finishing their drinks (bear in mind alcohol is not allowed in the stands) and heading to their seat.
It might sound obvious, but it’s worth timing trips to the toilet here wisely. Long queues inevitably form at half-time.
Post-match refreshments
After the final whistle, groups of fans will likely be routinely stopped and held on Wembley Way to ease congestion at Wembley Park station after games.
It's worth heading south to Wembley Central station overground, or biding a little time before tackling the crowds.
For those waiting, London Designer Outlet, found a stone’s throw from the west end of the ground, is home to chains like Pizza Express, Zizzi, Wagamama, the Handmade Burger Co and Prezzo. There are also places like Las Iguanas to grab a drink.
Elsewhere, Sultan kebab house on Harrow Road could be ideal for fans looking for a post-match feed, while Ealing Road found close to Wembley Central station is the place to go for a curry. Gana, Palm Beach Restaurant, Masala Canteen and Dosa Express are all here, while Savaravanaa Bhavan, also found on Ealing Road, is great for veggies.
Where to go out
While Wembley is a little limited when it comes to night spots, fans are only a 15 minute tube journey away from Baker Street and Mayfair, home to some of the best bars in the capital.
Fans looking to keep the party atmosphere alive have plenty of choices here — make sure to check out our area guide and our picks of the best pubs, bars and clubs in west London.
