Over a third (36%) of global sport fans save money specifically to travel to see their team play, and with reports stating that 48% of people will opt for a city break as part of their holiday mix for 2025, many may be looking for the perfect football getaway.
To help those holiday hunting fans, Live Football Tickets have collected data on the best city breaks for football fans by analysing factors such as number of major stadiums, and the average cost of a meal, locally brewed pint, and public transport.
Stefan Balkenende on behalf of Live Football Tickets also provides comment on city breaks for football fans, as well as the vibrant football scene within these cities.
Key Findings:
- Portugal tops the table with Lisbon and Porto ranking as the first and second best city breaks for football fans, respectively.
- Madrid, Spain, ranks as the third best city break for football fans, scoring 8.31/10.
Top 10 best city breaks for football fans
| Rank | Country | City | Avg. Cost of a Meal for 2 (mid range restaurant – 3 courses) | Avg. Cost of a Domestic* Pint | Number of Major Stadiums | Avg.Price of Public Transport | Final City Break Score (/10) |
| 1 | Portugal | Lisbon | £42.05 | £2.52 | 4 | £1.68 | 8.99 |
| 2 | Portugal | Porto | £37.42 | £2.10 | 2 | £1.68 | 8.40 |
| 3 | Spain | Madrid | £50.46 | £2.94 | 2 | £1.26 | 8.31 |
| 4 | Spain | Barcelona | £50.46 | £2.94 | 3 | £2.10 | 7.95 |
| 5 | Italy | Rome | £54.66 | £3.87 | 2 | £1.26 | 7.76 |
| 6 | France | Paris | £58.87 | £5.89 | 8 | £1.81 | 7.57 |
| 7 | England | Manchester | £60 | £5.00 | 4 | £2.00 | 7.28 |
| 8 | Germany | Berlin | £58.87 | £3.78 | 3 | £2.94 | 7.07 |
| 9 | Scotland | Glasgow | £63 | £4.50 | 4 | £2.77 | 6.86 |
| 10 | Netherlands | Rotterdam | £58.87 | £4.20 | 3 | £3.36 | 6.53 |
*Domestic pint indicates that the beer was brewed in the same country, rather than imported.
*The full data set is available to view here.
Live Football Tickets have found that Lisbon, Portugal, is the best city break for football fans, scoring 8.99/10.
Lisbon boasts two major football teams, Benfica and Sporting, as well as being home to Estádio do Benfica tours & museum. With the average cost of transport being just £1.68, fans can get around the city at a great price, as well as enjoy a pint for just £2.52 on average.
Portugal also takes the second spot, as Porto boasts an impressive city break score of 8.40/10. In this vibrant city, fans can bag themselves a 3 course meal for 2 for just £37.42 on average, the lowest price in the top 10.
Home to Estádio do Dragão tours & museum, as well as FC Porto football team, fans can expect to enjoy a city break in Porto.
Madrid, Spain, ranks third, with a city break score of 8.31/10. Boasting popular football attractions such as Santiago Bernabeu stadium and museum, and National Spanish football museum, Madrid is a great getaway for football fans. Whilst in Madrid, visitors can enjoy getting around the city for just £1.26 on average, one of the cheapest transport prices in the top 10.
Stefan Balkenende from Live Football Tickets, provides comment on the importance of city breaks for football fans and the vibrant football scene within these cities:
“Aside from watching their football team play, fans love soaking up the history and culture of their teams. From the museums and stadium tours, to the local fans and pubs, all of these aspects can make a great city break for fans of the beautiful game.
“Football is held in high regard in Portuguese culture, and it is no surprise to see Lisbon ranking in the top spot, home to two major teams, Benfica and Sporting, alongside Porto in second, with Porto being the second most decorated team in Portuguese football. Spanish cities such as Madrid and Barcelona also find themselves in the top 5, with Spain’s football scene being as vibrant and rich as the Spanish culture itself.
“Further into the top ten, we see major cities such as Rome, Paris, and Manchester. Manchester’s football scene is rich with 4 major stadiums, home to Man City and Man United, and visitors able to get around for just £2 on average.”
