Soccer (fútbol) Game?

I probably can't help you out too much, but it would be comparable to getting tickets to one of the top rated NFL teams. Real Madrid and FC Barcelona have huge followings, reaching beyond Spain. If available, you can buy at the stadium, but more likely on the web, you can go through the team site, or other sellers. A match like Madrid/Sociedad is a good possibility, if it were Real Madrid/FC Barcelona...forget it.

But like the NFL, seats go quick, prices can be outrageous, but start about 50 euro on up to a couple hundred euro for better seats. On the Seatpick.com site (never used them, just an example) the Sociedad match on Jan. 29 is starting at $69 up to $896 for restaurant seating.

I'd say pick up the tickets when you are already in town at the stadium. I'd try to go to both games but if you could only choose one go see the Barça v Sevilla match.

I'm not sure where you come from but the football games in Spain are not "crazy" in my perspective there are not riots/hooliganism like in other countries. It's a multi-generational family friendly affair. Along the lines of father's bringing their sons to see the game usually with a good jamón y queso sandwich for dinner yum!

As previous poster has said, football or soccer is not a crazy experience. In Spain it´s fun, lots of chanting and clapping, some whistling, but many families attend the matches and the experience is not really crazy. Definitely, not rowdy or wild in any way.

Thank you so much for the advice! I'm so glad to hear that Spain is a pretty chill experience. This is a bit different sounding then when we had experienced in Germany, but maybe we just unlucky and caught a really bad day.

Rowdy and wild?... don't think so, I mean, it's been ages that in football stadiums over here all fans are seated, which "prevents" (mind me!) the potential "rowdiness" that was inherent in standing up. Besides, at least in FCB's, it's pretty much a family event.

I am not sure which advice I could give you other than make sure you purchase your tickets way in advance, do so at the club's website -avoid intermediaries, some are not legit- and come to the pitch in good spirits! ;)

Ah yes, if you come to Barcelona's stadium remember

• For a reason too long to explain here now (to do with being a club owned by the fans, not companies) the availability of seats for top matches might be "limited"
• FC Barcelona's stadium is the largest in Europe, seating nearly 100,000 people, if the match is "hot" it can be packed to the rim... choose seats not too far from the pitch, or else you won't see much. I understand you're not a die-hard fan and "living the ambience" is what it's all about for first-timers... but still.

Enjoy!

So here's our experience in Madrid a few years back. I had identified the match that occurred during the time period we were going to be there and frequently looked at the Real Madrid website for tix. Too expensive before we left home. Finally tix in our price range became available just a day or two before the match while we were already in Madrid. There was singing on the subway to the Bernabeu, but nothing "rowdy and wild." The whole thing was great fun. My point is that if the original ticket prices you see are too high, keep waiting. Enjoy your trip!

Do this! You won't be disappointed. I've seen matches in Germany, France, Italy, and England, and all were peaceful and enjoyable. The atmosphere is electric, much better than any NFL game in the States. And a match only lasts 2 hours versus 3+. I'm still kicking myself that I didn't go to a match in Seville when we were there last October.

We’re hoping to see a game in Madrid. Pretty much the only day that will work for us is Sunday, Oct. 9, the day our RS Barcelona/Madrid tour ends. The Real Madrid site shows there will be a game on Oct. 8 OR 9, with date and time yet to be finalized and tickets aren’t on sale yet. Anyone know how far in advance the schedule is confirmed?

FC Barcelona is selling tickets even for games where the schedule hasn’t been finalized but I don’t think a game will work out for us there in any case.

Are you set on only Real Madrid or FC Barcelona? They are not the only teams in those cities. In Barcelona there is Espanyol, and in Madrid (besides Atlético Madrid) there is Getafe and Rayo Vallecano.

Archimedes: No, we’re not dead set on the first team only, though the “big-time” atmosphere would be fun. We’re not soccer aficionados at all but would just like to see a game there. The Real Madrid game we’re looking at is against Getafe, BTW.