Going to a football game

Are talking about American Football or soccer?

Soccer... didn't want to offend anyone by calling it that but, oh well.

Football proper.
Sheffield is the home of the oldest team, Sheffield Fc and also Hallam.
Tickets will be hard to acquire as the Blades fluked thier way into the Premier League last year.
You could always , go watch Sheffield Wednesday, Sheffield's senior league side .
I can give you a few pointers on which players will under achieve next year too!

Is the match in Sheffield or London?

Sorry, Chelsea.

Might be a slightly blue crowd then....

What differences have you picked up upon? The biggest difference in my experience between American sports and British (particularly football) is the atmosphere. American fans can be a bit muted in comparison to British fans (unbelievable I know!) and the chanting, singing and invariably abuse from a small section of the crowd is all part of the spectacle.

Many of the new football stadiums being built lack the intimacy of the older ones and Portsmouth FC's Fratton Park has a reputation of having an excellent, if not intimidating atmosphere. If you want to witness one of the most passionate and intense crowds then a match between arch rivals Portsmouth and Southampton at Fratton Park cannot be beaten.

Here's an example of the crowd against Cambridge, a team that has no history of competition with Portsmouth and tellingly by the lack of supporters at the 'away end', yet the atmosphere from the Portsmouth fans would lead you to believe they were playing for promotion!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2STmK7q-22s

I take it then that as I would be an "Away" supporter I should only buy tickets in that section?

It will be very difficult for you to get a ticket in the away section unfortunately. They will only have a small allocation and this will be offered to season ticket holders first. You may have some luck sitting in the Chelsea section as this won't be a Grade A game but you will have to sit on your hands if Sheffield Utd score as any indication that you are an away supporter could lead to you being ejected. Look for tickets in he family section if possible.

"a match between arch rivals Portsmouth and Southampton at Fratton Park cannot be beaten."

Veering off topic, I disagree. It becomes all about hatred, and very little about support.

I love being part of the FP crowd when it's in full voice (and I've been a season ticket holder for many years) , but local derby just brings out the worst in some elements of the crowd.

To bring it back slightly towards the OPs question - you might try the SU supporters club - telling them you are on a visit, and seeing they can help. In the past, I've heard of foreign visitors being able to get tickets that way. Alternatively, if you have very deep pockets, look at corporate hospitality rates at Chelsea. Often clubs will have a meal and ticket package for games - often at different "Tier" levels - and with respect to SU, it is likely to be the lowest level.

Several years ago, I took visiting Friends of my BIL to a game. A Canadian father and his two sons (around 10-12). They all loved the atmosphere - but were surprised at the level of swearing (the father's comment was - "it's what they do, but better not tell your mother")

"a match between arch rivals Portsmouth and Southampton at Fratton Park cannot be beaten."

Veering off topic, I disagree. It becomes all about hatred, and very little about support.

But that's the whole ethos of a derby match, that's what makes the atmosphere so intense. Admittedly the Portsmouth and Southampton rivalry goes deeper than merely being local rivals and I acknowledge what you say about the hatred but in todays game there is always an expression of hatred from some elements of the crowd, there are few teams that can play one another where there is no hostility from anyone in the crowd.

I'm not a season ticket holder but on those occasions I do go to a game it'd usually be using my brothers ticket as he cannot go for one reason or another so I always get to sit in the Fratton End. It always suprises me why the family section is situated right next to the Fratton End, surely the source of most of the swearing and abuse. I do feel a sense of embarrasment when I see the children gazing in awe at the Fratton End yet being exposed to chants and language that they shouldn't be.

If you really want to attend this game, there’s always the Thomas Cook sports package including accommodation ... not cheap, but it’s Stamford Bridge
Chelsea v Sheffield U

"the Thomas Cook sports package" - That is actually cheaper than most hospitality packages, but be careful. On the direct link there is a specific warning: "This Chelsea Hotel & Ticket Break is for home supporters. If you are at the match to support the opposition, you will be refused entry to the stadium or you will be ejected."

I’ve used Thomas Cook to attend away matches where I couldn’t get an away ticket from the club I belong to. There are no proofs of Home club membership checked. However you cannot support your team openly during the match, and you need to put away your Sheffield United scarf and colors when you get to the stadium... but you can go to the designated away team supporters pubs before and after the match to sing the songs and soak up the atmosphere.

At my own Premier League club home games, I’ve sometimes sat next to very quiet people who I assumed were opposition supporters, but it’s never been a problem.

If you are at the match to support the opposition, you will be refused entry to the stadium or you will be ejected.

If you can escape the lynching beforehand!