EPL for the first time

[Saints Rest]

My son is a huge fan of Christian Pulisic so we are going to London on his spring break in March in the hopes to see them play on 3/18.

I’m wondering if anyone has any connections or contacts at Chelsea FC to help us get tickets (or better yet to arrange a meeting with CP). Barring that pipe dream, what is the best way for us to get four tickets and to survive the experience (son is 11; uninterested daughter is 12 — she will only care about the food).

 

[SocrManiac]

Believe it or not, you aren't alone in working on this one right now: https://sonsofsamhorn.net/index.php?threads/chelsea-fc-tickets-in-the-spring.38144/

Good luck, both on finding tickets and finding CP during one of those windows where he's uninjured (typically 3-4 hours at a time every month or so).

 

[Titans Bastard]

My son is a huge fan of Christian Pulisic so we are going to London on his spring break in March in the hopes to see them play on 3/18.

I’m wondering if anyone has any connections or contacts at Chelsea FC to help us get tickets (or better yet to arrange a meeting with CP). Barring that pipe dream, what is the best way for us to get four tickets and to survive the experience (son is 11; uninterested daughter is 12 — she will only care about the food).

FYI, Pulisic is injured right now and may or may not be healthy by the time of this mid-March game. Chelsea have also just bought a ludicrous number of wingers so it may take time for Pulisic to get back in the rotation when he gets healthy. So just be prepared that there is a solid chance that Pulisic will not play.

 

[Saints Rest]

FYI, Pulisic is injured right now and may or may not be healthy by the time of this mid-March game. Chelsea have also just bought a ludicrous number of wingers so it may take time for Pulisic to get back in the rotation when he gets healthy. So just be prepared that there is a solid chance that Pulisic will not play.

I know. That's why I'm hoping we can figure out a way to at least get an autograph or photo pre- or post-game. Do EPL teams do that sort of thing?

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

I just bought tickets for my son and I to attend an Arsenal game on April 1. At least with Arsenal, the process is totally insane in general and its extremely difficult in particular to buy four tickets all together.

 

[Saints Rest]

Is there a secondary market for EPL games? The Brit version of StubHub?

 

[Seven Costanza]

Sorry that I missed the earlier thread.

There won‘t really be a meet and greet type deal- I wouldn’t get your hopes up for that. I’m on mobile so it’s difficult at the moment, but if you end up going I can show you where the players park on game days- you may be able to get a glimpse of him coming or going.

Almost assuredly the only way you can get tickets (especially 4 together) is via the ’hospitality’ route. It’s pretty pricey, but worth it if you really want to watch a game. I can give you more details on this if you like.

Do NOT try and scalp tickets. I know people here have done that before, etc but it’s a much different thing over there. You stand likely to get scammed or will end up in the away end or some such foolishness. Just not worth it with a family.

 

[biollante]

If you could let me know about the hospitality route, that would be great. @Seven Costanza

 

[Seven Costanza]

Sure! Just navigate to their website, click "Tickets & Hospitality" in the header, and choose either "Buy Hospitality" or "Matchday VIP".

Cheapest you'll find probably run around 200-300 pounds/person. They get a lot more expensive from there. The various packages are detailed in there, but most include a meal before the game, a cheap souvenir, a drink after the game, etc. If you can swing it and you don't expect to attend a ton of Chelsea games on the regular, it can definitely be worth it for the experience- you do get more than just a game ticket. On the lower end of the price spectrum the seats you'll get are in the West Stand Upper (upper deck, long side of the field at the Shed End) but there's really no awful seats at the Bridge. EDIT: Actually looking at the offerings now, looks like the seat offerings are more spread out depending on which you choose- this is good. We did one of the packages (there were 6 of us) for Boxing Day in 2019 (an unfortunate loss to Southampton) and it was pretty swank.

Just to confirm I'm not talking out of my ass, my SIL has been a full time Chelsea employee for 6-7 years and my FIL is a season ticket holder. (I apologize but I can't really help with obtaining tickets). My SIL is up there in the Stadium Tours & Club Museum (shameless plug) hierarchy so if anyone ever has a hankering to tour the Bridge (it's actually a pretty cool stadium tour, as they go) let me know and I can most likely get you a discount/free tour.

EDIT: If you're not down with the whole hospitality thing and want to go the regular route- your best bet (at least with Chelsea, although I suspect this holds true for most big clubs) is to try for early round cup games against lower league opposition, or a group stage game against a European minnow. I went to a group stage Europa league game against PAOK a few years back and the stadium was only 3/4 full- that's something where you could just walk up to the ticket box at game time and buy a ticket. Those games are fairly rare though, and generally much earlier in the season (fall timeframe).

 

[biollante]

Yeah, the whole Hospitality thing is sold out except for 1k a ticket which is more than I can justify.
We might be interested in a tour though.

We should probably just go to the Millwall game.

 

[Seven Costanza]

Brutal. I'm sorry. Stamford Bridge is unfortunately fairly small compared to most of their contemporaries stadiums.

Do let me know about the tour though- happy to help anyone visiting who would like one.

 

[Saints Rest]

Looks like we are going to abandon hope on Chelsea tix and look at taking the train out to Southampton for the day to watch them play Tottenham.
What I can't figure out from Southampton's not great website is if I will be able to buy 4 tickets together if I buy their Premium Membership. Tons of seats available to the game on 3/4 which are now available to public.

 

[Saints Rest]

I just got this reply from the ticket office in Southampton:

Thank you for your email.
In order to buy tickets for Spurs everyone needs to have an account made before the 15th February and have a purchase history.

So should I turn my luck to StubHub? Can it be trusted?

 

[Saints Rest]

Two new ideas, looking for feedback:

1. Go to the Chelsea (v. Everton) U21 Development Squad game on Friday night. Upside is cheap tix (5 pounds) and no "members club" to join in order to buy tickets. Possible downside/uncertainty: will this be like going to a Cape League baseball game with minimal attendance, many of whom are only half-paying attention? Or will there be the sort of fan fervor that we would like to experience (team songs, team chants, fans all dressed in colors, etc)?
2. Try to get tickets to a game in the Championship League (e.g. QPR vs Birmingham City). I would imagine the fan experience would be much closer to the EPL level, but will we be able to get tickets (unlike EPL)?

 

[ernieshore]

Two new ideas, looking for feedback:

1. Go to the Chelsea (v. Everton) U21 Development Squad game on Friday night. Upside is cheap tix (5 pounds) and no "members club" to join in order to buy tickets. Possible downside/uncertainty: will this be like going to a Cape League baseball game with minimal attendance, many of whom are only half-paying attention? Or will there be the sort of fan fervor that we would like to experience (team songs, team chants, fans all dressed in colors, etc)?
2. Try to get tickets to a game in the Championship League (e.g. QPR vs Birmingham City). I would imagine the fan experience would be much closer to the EPL level, but will we be able to get tickets (unlike EPL)?

It has admittedly been a few years since I've seen a game in England, but I'd go see a Championship game. I've been to QPR a couple times and it has a good atmosphere where every seat is right on top of the field -- the concessions and bathrooms were a dump, but that added to the charm (and maybe they've upgraded since I went?). And Birmingham City is a big club, so you should have a good away crowd that adds to the atmosphere.

If you are adventurous, Millwall in Southeast London has some of the loudest crowds in England. Plus, they are in hunt for a playoff space to the Premier League. so they are getting larger crowds and the game will matter. They are owned by a guy from Boston too. I've been to several games there, felt welcome, and always had a great time. Your family may learn a few new words though.

 

[candylandriots]

I believe you once outed yourself as a Millwall supporter @ernieshore so I know you’ll view my obligatory Millwall contribution with pride:



I’ll add to the chorus though and agree that a game at QPR or Millwall would likely be more the experience you and your family are looking for than seeing the Chelsea U21s. And you’ll likely come back with a new rooting interest with a great story behind it too.

 

[candylandriots]

There was also a post somewhere else that suggested asking your hotel concierge. I have had some luck with that as well, though I paid a serious premium for that (it was one decent ticket for an Arsenal-Manchester United game on a beautiful Sunday at the Emirates and it set me back like £250). I’m not sure if your hotel will be able to help or not…but one little trick that isn’t really well-known is that you can ask concierges at other hotels for assistance as well. It’s courtesy to tell them up-front you’re not a guest at the hotel, and tip them well for their help, but they will almost certainly help - and be glad to do it. Just one more option to consider. If you do try the concierge route, just try and give as much lead-time as possible. You could even try calling before you leave.

 

[OCST]

U21 game will have no juice. Go to one of the Championship games

 

[Seven Costanza]

Agree with OCST- there won't be anyone at the U21 game. You'll definitely see some good football and some quality players, but there won't be any crowd there.

Was that at Kingsmeadow? If you're looking for a good fan atmosphere, Chelsea Women would give you that.

I'd second the Championship or lower. Millwall, QPR, Leyton Orient, Dulwich Hamlet- those all should be pretty accessible if they're in town when you are. You'd get atmosphere at any of them.

 

[ernieshore]

I believe you once outed yourself as a Millwall supporter @ernieshore so I know you’ll view my obligatory Millwall contribution with pride:

View attachment 61719

I’ll add to the chorus though and agree that a game at QPR or Millwall would likely be more the experience you and your family are looking for than seeing the Chelsea U21s. And you’ll likely come back with a new rooting interest with a great story behind it too.

Hah! And you remember well -- I will be working from home today to watch them play Luton.

And yes - you may even want to gives these clubs a call and ask if they have any pre-match stadium tours or experiences, especially for the kids. I did one at Millwall (toured the locker room, got on the filed, met a player) and they were so accommodating and welcoming to us (no kids though).

 

[tmracht]

Agree with OCST- there won't be anyone at the U21 game. You'll definitely see some good football and some quality players, but there won't be any crowd there.

Was that at Kingsmeadow? If you're looking for a good fan atmosphere, Chelsea Women would give you that.

I'd second the Championship or lower. Millwall, QPR, Leyton Orient, Dulwich Hamlet- those all should be pretty accessible if they're in town when you are. You'd get atmosphere at any of them.

And they are so fun to watch right now. Just a buzzsaw of a team.

 

[OCST]

Sam Kerr, Chelsea's Aussie striker, flattening a pitch invader.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkzyLGSTNiA

 

[OCST]

I'm ecstatic to have found a new job and to be closing down my old partnership. However, I start my new gig in early April, which is incompatible with the Everton-Spurs tickets I had scored for me, Mrs O, and Teen O. Especially since they moved the game to Monday, 4/3.

Although my cup runneth over with this blessing, I'll allow myself a bit of a self-pity wallow here, and hope that when I get to Goodison before it closes, it will be against Spurs or someone of that stripe, and not Rotherham or Huddersfield Town.

 

[pedro1918]

I’m going to Selhurst Park in April. First time in London for me. I will be an Eagle for the day and I can’t wait.

 

[candylandriots]

I’m going to Selhurst Park in April. First time in London for me. I will be an Eagle for the day and I can’t wait.

That’s amazing! Which game are you going to? Have fun!

 

[pedro1918]

That’s amazing! Which game are you going to? Have fun!

Leicester City on April 1.

 

[Dummy Hoy]

Sam Kerr, Chelsea's Aussie striker, flattening a pitch invader.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkzyLGSTNiA

I can't believe she got a yellow for that- she should have gotten an OBE. She also should have scythed him down from behind, but that was pretty great too.

 

[Saints Rest]

Wrapping up our final day in London, and just wanted to share of our successes:

• Had a great tour of Stamford Bridge, thanks to Seven Costanzas!
• Ended up getting tix to Chelsea v Everton via VIAGOGO.com (one of the few approved resellers). Ended up spending about $400/ticket for a hospitality suite level ticket. But considering I have spent $600/ticket (twice) to attend Game 6 of Stanley Cup Finals, and knowing my kids will never be this way again, as 11 and 12 year olds, I figured it was well worth it.

In other London sightseeing, we managed to see the following, all in just 4 days:

• Oxford University (family friend is in her senior year);
• A tour of Shakespeare's Globe, including an open-air production of The Tempest, staged for young audiences;
• The Tower of London, including a Beefeater guided tour;
• Visits to Hamley's toy store and the world's largest LEGO store;
• The tour of Harry Potter's Studios.