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Watching Arsenal Champions league game May 30

As the title suggests, we are planning to find a place to watch the Arsenal v PSG game on May 30. I have two soccer, sorry football, obsessed sons who requested that we fit that into our touring itinerary. We are a group of 6 adults. Is it reasonable to think we can find a fun pub to watch the game? Our hotel is near Earl’s Court but we could plan to be in another neighborhood. Earlier that day we will probably be at the British Museum. Will it be hard to find good viewing for a group of 6? Are we better off sitting in our hotel bar?

I appreciate any pub tips for other days too that will be good for a group of 6, both for food and just for drink. I’ve also been looking into bars and speakeasies for evenings.

Thanks so much!

Posted by
2542 posts

Arsenal pubs that are near the ground would include:

The World's End https://maps.app.goo.gl/MjSboeTh7tvcWBCF8

The Gunners https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZR2iwBWumv4DbzAD9

Tollington Arms https://maps.app.goo.gl/r3ag7EnXJ1qcQKjD6 Probably my choice. I've been in several times, never on a match day though.

The Twelve Pins https://maps.app.goo.gl/RitotP7qGbwixFWC6 Handy for the tube station. I've been in a couple of times briefly after getting off the tube here.

Brook Gate, formerly The Arsenal Tavern (amusingly bad reviews of the manager on Google. Never been in it myself) https://maps.app.goo.gl/QdsfPgMxRdWYiwwx7

All of these are in the Finsbury Park / Hornsey area. You'd get the tube to Finsbury Park on the Victoria Line or Piccadilly Line and all are a short walk. It's a bit of a trek over from Earl's Court. I'm sure most pubs over there will be showing the game too. Coming up to north London puts you more in the heart of Arsenal territory for the full experience though. Don't count on your hotel bar showing it.

Posted by
28 posts

Thanks so much for the list! I’m reading online that pubs in the area may be impossible to get in and a very cramped experience. My sons may be up for that but not sure I am. 😁

I wondered if it would be screened at the stadium. That would be fun but I imagine tickets are hard to get!

Posted by
28 posts

I know it’s in the vicinity of Chelsea FC, but what are the odds The King’s Arms would have the game on?

ETA: just found the answer to my question. Looks like they are airing it but already booked. That’s what I get for waiting!

Posted by
17851 posts

I think the match starts at 18:00 Budapest time (17:00 London). Every hotel will have it on, including yours, and it won’t be crowded.

Posted by
28 posts

Yes, a pub sounded more fun than hotel but at this late date, it may be our best option. Thanks!

Posted by
2542 posts

I think it's fairly likely that most pubs will be showing it, even in Chelsea. It's going to be a major earner for them. It's pay per view, rather controversially, so there's extra incentive not to just watch it at home. The pub will usually have a blackboard outside with a list of football and other sports they're screening. You won't be stuck for somewhere to watch it. Expect everywhere to be busy to a greater or lesser degree. It's a big game.

Posted by
2542 posts

Every hotel will have it on, including yours

Not necessarily. It's an expensive pay per view that some may or may not stump up for.

Posted by
12193 posts

If your sons are that obsessed with soccer, in addition to watching the game, they might enjoy a stadium tour. I took two of my grandkids (girl and boy) to London last year, both of whom are soccer players and fanatics, and they wanted to go on a stadium tour, so we booked a visit to the Tottenham Spurs Stadium. This is probably the most elaborate stadium (it was completely rebuilt in 2019 and seats over 62,000 people).

We had such a great time, and that was partly due to the kindness and friendliness of the Tottenham stadium tour staff. They went out of their way to talk to both kids about soccer and life in general and encouraged us to visit every area we could. All of the visitors in our tour were Brits, so we were an anomaly. We visited the stadium pitches, of course, and saw the swanky private suites, which are custom built, designed for each suite holder and cost many mega thousands of Great British pounds. We also saw the changing room for the Spurs and their workout room.

It was such a great experience for them, and I bet your sons would love it. And if they're Arsenal fans and wouldn't be caught dead in a Spurs stadium, all the other stadiums offer tours as well, including Emirates.

Posted by
28 posts

Yes, we are planning to tour Chelsea FC’s stadium.

I am reading about Market Hall that has various locations. I may be able to make a reservation at the one in Paddington. Is that a good venue?

Posted by
520 posts

I think Market Hall would be fun! But call right now and book.

In fact, you can also try just searching Google maps for pubs near your hotel and then calling around to see who is showing it, and ask if you can book a seat. Booking might be your biggest stumbling block, seeing as the match is so soon.

Frankly, I’d call several places, book anywhere you can, then pop back here and post where you were able to get seats. Then we can weigh in on the best option, and you can cancel the other places.

And yes, watching at a pub will be far superior to catching it in your hotel… if they even buy the PPV package.

Posted by
253 posts

I wondered if it would be screened at the stadium. That would be fun but I imagine tickets are hard to get!

Looks like tickets are £15 per adult but you have to get a membership first. I haven’t looked into that as I would rather stick pins in my eyes than watch Arsenal, live or on screen. Others have different views on this but they are wrong.

Posted by
2542 posts

The whole of London will be watching it, not just Arsenal fans. A London team being in the Champions League Final is big news for everyone. Right at prime Saturday afternoon drinking time too. The pay per view issue. The Prime Minister stepped into the debate over that the other day I believe. The good weather is set to hold up. A perfect storm in terms of the numbers that are going to turn out to see it at pubs and elsewhere.

I wasn't watching the game, but I could tell Arsenal had won the league from all the honking at the final whistle. Pretty firmly Arsenal around here where I live. The place will go mental if they win the Champions League.

Posted by
28 posts

The same two sons just graduated college so I blame that distraction for my late planning! Looks like many places are booked and unfortunately we do have enough other sight seeing we want to do that we can’t park in a pub too early. I will try to get some bookings somewhere because I am sure the atmosphere will be electric. Crossing my fingers I get lucky. I appreciate all the insight. And Trelawney, your comment made me laugh! I’m not sure if my boys have a favorite EPL team. They are fans of the game and never miss a Champions League match. They are also in a EPL fantasy league with friends so watch most games. It’s a miracle they graduated with all this football viewing! 🙄😁

Posted by
2542 posts

I wouldn't necessarily expect to turn up at a pub at kick off and get in, even with a reservation. If it were me, I'd be getting out and getting my spot an hour or two early.

Posted by
600 posts

For comparison, we were in Keswick on May 3rd and tried to find a pub to watch Liverpool vs Man United. It was not a championship game and it was not Arsenal but it was impossible to find any way to see it in the pubs we tried. No seating, no standing room, shoulder to shoulder throughout. I would go with the hotel.