Advice for a visiting USA fan

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E5pa9sr3

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Advice for a visiting USA fan

Hi all, I am visiting London from abroad and hoping to take my two boys (ages 8 and 10) to a Premier League game and have narrowed it down to Brentford-Everton on November 21. This will be our first Premier League game and we want to go all out!

What advice do you all have in terms of when/how to get tickets, where to sit (want lively but maybe not craziest section), and what else to know…boys want to learn about Brentford too in terms of chants and getting into it. Any tips on public transit from hotel in South London area

Thank you!
 

Advice for a visiting USA fan

Best advice I can give is bring hand sanitiser with you as the majority of our fanbase fail to wash their hands after going to the toliet…
 

Advice for a visiting USA fan

E5pa9sr3 said:
Hi all, I am visiting London from abroad and hoping to take my two boys (ages 8 and 10) to a Premier League game and have narrowed it down to Brentford-Everton on November 21. This will be our first Premier League game and we want to go all out!

What advice do you all have in terms of when/how to get tickets, where to sit (want lively but maybe not craziest section), and what else to know…boys want to learn about Brentford too in terms of chants and getting into it. Any tips on public transit from hotel in South London area

Thank you!
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Look, I'm going to get in early to try and explain why you are probably going to get a grumpy reaction from some on here. Buying tickets for football in the UK is nothing like doing so for sporting events in the US. Tickets are extremely difficult to obtain because demand usually outstrips supply. The resale of tickets on third party sites like Stub Hub is also illegal. Supporters of away clubs frequently try to buy tickets in the home sections of the ground and they very often resort to subterfuge with cover stories like your own to do so. We've heard it all before so the suspicion is always that its an away fan trying it on. Supporters of the home club always hate having away fans in their section because football here is deeply (and gloriously) tribal.

Because of the third party resale ban the only way to buy a ticket with any guarantee that its genuine and will actually get you into the ground is to buy a club membership for all three of you. I believe there is a special membership status for overseas supporters. No doubt some of our other American fans on this site can explain in more detail how it works. Essentially though it will allow you to enter a ballot for the chance to buy tickets. If you fail in the ballot the club has an official resale site on its own website which Members can use to buy returned tickets at face value in the days leading up to the game. Its often possible to get something this way but three together might be a stretch.
 

Advice for a visiting USA fan

E5pa9sr3 said:
Hi all, I am visiting London from abroad and hoping to take my two boys (ages 8 and 10) to a Premier League game and have narrowed it down to Brentford-Everton on November 21. This will be our first Premier League game and we want to go all out!

What advice do you all have in terms of when/how to get tickets, where to sit (want lively but maybe not craziest section), and what else to know…boys want to learn about Brentford too in terms of chants and getting into it. Any tips on public transit from hotel in South London area

Thank you!
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Buy memberships for all of you and you should have a good chance of getting tickets together in the East Stand from the club website. It’s got lots of children in and is not very crazy. Do not attempt to buy from reseller sites.

Depending on where in South London, take a train to Waterloo, Vauxhall or Clapham Junction and you can get one to Kew Bridge direct.

Don’t wear Everton merch or cheer them.
 

Advice for a visiting USA fan

E5pa9sr3 said:
Hi all, I am visiting London from abroad and hoping to take my two boys (ages 8 and 10) to a Premier League game and have narrowed it down to Brentford-Everton on November 21. This will be our first Premier League game and we want to go all out!

What advice do you all have in terms of when/how to get tickets, where to sit (want lively but maybe not craziest section), and what else to know…boys want to learn about Brentford too in terms of chants and getting into it. Any tips on public transit from hotel in South London area

Thank you!
Click to expand...
Some good advice above.

My advice is to firstly and urgently forget whatever you learnt at the World Cup re ticketing.

In the UK there is legislation passed by Parliament (our "Congress" if you like) that forbids sale of tickets to football matches except by the home club. The only legal and sure way to get tickets is as per AB's advice. If you buy tickets from anywhere else then you committing a criminal offence.

Under no circumstances think that this is a day out where you can wear the jerseys/socks/underpants of any other club if you are in the stadium. If you are not a fan of Brentford and attend the match then you are commiting a criminal offence (except for the away section which are sold by the away club and is tiny and will have no chance of getting tickets from Everton in there as all PL clubs run a loyalty scheme for access to away tickets which is hyper-competitive)

If you're here to support the Bees then you'll be welcome, if you're coming as a "day trip out in London" then you're taking up seats which could otherwise be occupied by fans giving Brentford vocal support throughout the 90 minutes.

The above isn't unique to Brentford. Any fans of any club would say the same and it's not just the PL. Football is tribal here, and clubs are deeply rooted in the local areas unlike the Franchise approach of the USA.
 

Advice for a visiting USA fan

I took my then 7 year daughter to Brentford - West Brom in 2018. She loved it. A little too much. We've been back twice, and plan on catching a game this season. My suggestion is sign up for Bees Overseas membership and ID a non-London Club outside the alleged top 5 and the 17th place team. Sounds like you have. The cost of the membership and ticket is going to be less than the secondary market in the US for a similar event, but more work. The problem with the ballot is you won't get confirmation until a few weeks before the game. The ticket purchasing on the club's site is not intuitive, or was not to me, but the ticket office will actual answer your emails with actual help. We have also purchased away tickets without issue directly from the club. Same issue is you may not have confirmation until a few weeks before the game. The club and its supporters have always been great. We're also decked out in Bees gear and clearly pulling for the team.
 

Advice for a visiting USA fan

In the simplest terms:
- many here will suspect you of being *insert away supporter* in disguise
- if you are truly here to support brentford… welcome and hope your sons pickup the passion which is truly amazing about this club!
- tickets do not go on sale until about 4-6 weeks prior to games. Check the website - Brentford FC Tickets | Upcoming Fixtures & On-Sale Dates
- resale sites are illegal and you’re running the risk of fake tickets (not to mention massively overpaying)
- get a bees overseas membership and enter the lottery for this match (they reserve ~100 tix each game for this very thing)
- even if you don’t win the lottery, you will almost surely get tickets thru the fan ticket exchange since this is a Category B match (even if it means you have to check the site multiple times per day in the lead up to the game)
- finally, another thing to keep in mind is the matchdays can move dates and can fall pretty much anywhere between Fri-Mon of that weekend, if not moved entirely to avoid cup scheduling… you can reference the handy tracker here Wiki - Brentford Fixtures and Changes 2026/27
 

Advice for a visiting USA fan

I know there is suspicion but many of us also have joy when we recruit new fans who develop a life-long love for our club, which is the best (family) club in the world!

It is worth a visit to the club shop (the Hive Superstore) before the game where you cam get all your Brentford gear and souvenirs and the food and drink inside the stadium is pretty good!

Hope you make it over, the advice from others re memberships etc is useful, and you all enjoy the game and becoming a part of our club
 

Advice for a visiting USA fan

swr22 said:
I know there is suspicion but many of us also have joy when we recruit new fans who develop a life-long love for our club, which is the best (family) club in the world!

It is worth a visit to the club shop (the Hive Superstore) before the game where you cam get all your Brentford gear and souvenirs and the food and drink inside the stadium is pretty good!

Hope you make it over, the advice from others re memberships etc is useful, and you all enjoy the game and becoming a part of our club
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The other thing about going to the club shop as a visiting fan from the US is that stocking up on all the merch you and your boys want will be way cheaper than leaving it until you get home and have to pay delivery and tax.
 

Advice for a visiting USA fan

Banana said:
Under no circumstances think that this is a day out where you can wear the jerseys/socks/underpants of any other club if you are in the stadium. If you are not a fan of Brentford and attend the match then you are commiting a criminal offence (except for the away section which are sold by the away club and is tiny and will have no chance of getting tickets from Everton in there as all PL clubs run a loyalty scheme for access to away tickets which is hyper-competitive)
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Hmmm, that’s a bit extreme! I’d settle for “if you support the away team and are in the home sections you are potentially committing a criminal offence…” !
 

Advice for a visiting USA fan

Welcome.

The only possible two things I think could be added is that you need to buy ( join ) the membership before the tickets for that Match you wish to attend. If you join as members after the tickets for a match have gone on sales you are stopped from buying them.

The other is hospitality, call the club ticket office direct, but you will be looking at $ 300+ for each ticket. But you get a nice pie at half time.

Brentford FC
https://www.brentfordfc.com › contact-us
 

Advice for a visiting USA fan

F

Thread 'Visiting from the US - Brentford v Wolves on March 16th'

Howdy,

I’m coming over from the United States in March with my wife and son for Brentford v Wolverhampton, our first Premier League match in person.

We chose Brentford deliberately, a proper club with a strong identity and a supporter-led feel. We’re there to back the team, respect the club, and experience the match the right way.

If anyone has tips for the visit: when to arrive, pubs nearby, matchday traditions, or anything to know about the Lower Long Side I’d appreciate it.
  • Like

This was a similar thread from last season, with a lot of comments, including the usual pelters from the usual grumpy suspects.
But if you filter the ironies and sarcasm, it should be useful I think
 

Advice for a visiting USA fan

The West stand is all safe standing and people will be standing so bear that in mind depending on how tall your kids are

The club will put up matchday info for the game closer to the time and it will include a how to get here section
 

Advice for a visiting USA fan

Although the overseas memberships are cheaper, they do not guarantee eligibility for tickets in the same way as the standard memberships do. You need to buy the memberships before the match in question goes on sale, because the membership validity is not retrospective. Getting seats together can be difficult, but safe standing in the West Stand gives some unofficial flexibility.
 

Advice for a visiting USA fan

westendbee said:
Hmmm, that’s a bit extreme! I’d settle for “if you support the away team and are in the home sections you are potentially committing a criminal offence…” !
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Since March 2026 the Unauthorised Entry to Football Matches Act 2026 makes it an offence to enter without a ticket you're "eligible to use". A non-home supporter is not entitled to use tickets for fans clearly labelled as "Home Fans Only".

I trust that that settles matters
 

Advice for a visiting USA fan

Banana said:
Since March 2026 the Unauthorised Entry to Football Matches Act 2026 makes it an offence to enter without a ticket you're "eligible to use". A non-home supporter is not entitled to use tickets for fans clearly labelled as "Home Fans Only".

I trust that that settles matters
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But the Act doesn’t say that!

Section 1 (1) (which has been inserted as Section 1A of the Football (Offences) Act 1991 simply says that a person commits an offence if they enter or attempt to enter (a football stadium) and at the time of entry / attempted entry that person does not have a match ticket that he is eligible to use.

“Eligible to use” is not defined in the legislation but it is a defence to prove that the person had a ticket for the match but was not eligible to use it.

The 2026 Act was introduced specifically to criminalise jibbing, not to flush out all non-home supporters from home ends.

HTH
 

Advice for a visiting USA fan

westendbee said:
But the Act doesn’t say that!

Section 1 (1) (which has been inserted as Section 1A of the Football (Offences) Act 1991 simply says that a person commits an offence if they enter or attempt to enter (a football stadium) and at the time of entry / attempted entry that person does not have a match ticket that he is eligible to use.

“Eligible to use” is not defined in the legislation but it is a defence to prove that the person had a ticket for the match but was not eligible to use it.

The 2026 Act was introduced specifically to criminalise jibbing, not to flush out all non-home supporters from home ends.

HTH
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Yeah? Just you wait. Police will use any law that they can. And an away fan is not eligible to use a ticket in the home end. QED.
 

Advice for a visiting USA fan

Banana said:
Yeah? Just you wait. Police will use any law that they can. And an away fan is not eligible to use a ticket in the home end. QED.
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Police aren’t going to prosecute a yank tourist for buying a ticket in the home stand.
Maybe if they’re a Man United fan and start shouting for them, in a game against them, but that’s not what’s being suggested.
 

Advice for a visiting USA fan

E5pa9sr3 said:
Hi all, I am visiting London from abroad and hoping to take my two boys (ages 8 and 10) to a Premier League game and have narrowed it down to Brentford-Everton on November 21. This will be our first Premier League game and we want to go all out!

What advice do you all have in terms of when/how to get tickets, where to sit (want lively but maybe not craziest section), and what else to know…boys want to learn about Brentford too in terms of chants and getting into it. Any tips on public transit from hotel in South London area

Thank you!
Click to expand...
One thing you need to remember is that the game may change date and kick off time.
 

Advice for a visiting USA fan

Banana said:
Yeah? Just you wait. Police will use any law that they can. And an away fan is not eligible to use a ticket in the home end. QED.
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There are very few police in the GTech on a matchday!!!
 

Advice for a visiting USA fan

westendbee said:
There are very few police in the GTech on a matchday!!!
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They can put as many as like in, particularly if their budget needs topping up.
 

Advice for a visiting USA fan

I'm glad to see some very good replies, the reality of being "big" now is this is going to happen. Overseas football fans wanting to see a PL game. It comes with being in the PL now. Fair play to those giving advice :D
 

Advice for a visiting USA fan

Thank you all! We have no Premier League team - just have admired it from abroad. My boys only exposure to football is MLS ha (Philly Union) so we want to see something amazing.

I really appreciate all the advice - especially the bit about game date/time changing. Is that common? My wife is planning a whole London itinerary so that would blow up that potentially. Her main purpose of this trip is to see some of the Christmas things in London so this is my plan to include football.

We’ve no intention of wearing anything special to the match and would willingly learn some chants and special customs. If it goes well, we will be all in for life hopefully!

Thanks for your patience!
 

Advice for a visiting USA fan

E5pa9sr3 said:
I really appreciate all the advice - especially the bit about game date/time changing. Is that common? My wife is planning a whole London itinerary so that would blow up that potentially. Her main purpose of this trip is to see some of the Christmas things in London so this is my plan to include football.
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Yes, its the norm I'm afraid. All fixture dates announced at the beginning of the season are just placeholders. Only a minority of fixtures actually stay at the original 3pm Saturday kick off. Most are moved for live TV coverage. The match could actually be played at any time from Friday evening to Monday evening. Even if it stays on the Saturday the kick off could be anything from 12.30pm to 8pm. If its on the Sunday it would probably be 2pm or 4pm. The date won't be fixed for certain until the TV companies announce which matches they have picked for live coverage in the UK, usually about 6 weeks in advance.

Its the same pretty much everywhere else in Europe too. In fact the notice periods are shorter in some countries than they are here. I'm visiting Milan in October but won't know whether I'll be able to get to see a match at the San Siro within the dates I'm there until about four weeks beforehand.
 

Advice for a visiting USA fan

E5pa9sr3 said:
Thank you all! We have no Premier League team - just have admired it from abroad. My boys only exposure to football is MLS ha (Philly Union) so we want to see something amazing.

I really appreciate all the advice - especially the bit about game date/time changing. Is that common? My wife is planning a whole London itinerary so that would blow up that potentially. Her main purpose of this trip is to see some of the Christmas things in London so this is my plan to include football.

We’ve no intention of wearing anything special to the match and would willingly learn some chants and special customs. If it goes well, we will be all in for life hopefully!

Thanks for your patience!
Click to expand...
If you like chants you’ll love the Sangare thread…
 

Advice for a visiting USA fan

E5pa9sr3 said:
Hi all, I am visiting London from abroad and hoping to take my two boys (ages 8 and 10) to a Premier League game and have narrowed it down to Brentford-Everton on November 21. This will be our first Premier League game and we want to go all out!

What advice do you all have in terms of when/how to get tickets, where to sit (want lively but maybe not craziest section), and what else to know…boys want to learn about Brentford too in terms of chants and getting into it. Any tips on public transit from hotel in South London area

Thank you!
Click to expand...
Why Brentford and not the Chelsea or Spurs home matches that same game week?
 

Advice for a visiting USA fan

I’d hold off until you know the fixture times. If you have a membership you are very likely to be able to get a ticket on the exchange, even close to the game. Spurs v Ipswich is also an option for you, particularly in corporate/premium seats.

Although not EPL, West Ham will also be an much easier option for you as well.

Ultimately the best atmosphere will be at Brentford though 😎
 

Advice for a visiting USA fan

Adam said:
I’d hold off until you know the fixture times. If you have a membership you are very likely to be able to get a ticket on the exchange, even close to the game. Spurs v Ipswich is also an option for you, particularly in corporate/premium seats.

Although not EPL, West Ham will also be an much easier option for you as well.

Ultimately the best atmosphere will be at Brentford though 😎
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Although just to add, you need to have bought your membership before the tickets go on sale. Also you need to be quick off the mark to get seats together, so keep an eye out on this site or this page which the club update when new fixtures go on sale
 

Advice for a visiting USA fan

E5pa9sr3 said:
Hi all, I am visiting London from abroad and hoping to take my two boys (ages 8 and 10) to a Premier League game and have narrowed it down to Brentford-Everton on November 21. This will be our first Premier League game and we want to go all out!

What advice do you all have in terms of when/how to get tickets, where to sit (want lively but maybe not craziest section), and what else to know…boys want to learn about Brentford too in terms of chants and getting into it. Any tips on public transit from hotel in South London area

Thank you!
Click to expand...
As a Member who usually gets a ticket in the East stand I can assure you that a. the atmosphere is very friendly b. it is (sadly) VERY rare to hear any singing or chanting in the east stand! Even the iconic "Hey Jude" before the game (learn the words - it is not difficult) only gets I would say 30% participation in the stand. Got a bit lively when we went 4-0 up against Man U but usually the away fans "Is this a f***** library" chant is accurate. c. Lots of overseas fans in the East stand. One other general piece of advice. Don't be fooled by the tube map. stations can be a mile apart - or 200 yards apart (Embankment / Charing Cross). e.g. You can walk from Gunnersbury tube station to the ground in 10 mins for instance which might be better than queuing at Kew (little joke there!)
 

Advice for a visiting USA fan

E5pa9sr3 said:
Hi all, I am visiting London from abroad and hoping to take my two boys (ages 8 and 10) to a Premier League game and have narrowed it down to Brentford-Everton on November 21. This will be our first Premier League game and we want to go all out!

What advice do you all have in terms of when/how to get tickets, where to sit (want lively but maybe not craziest section), and what else to know…boys want to learn about Brentford too in terms of chants and getting into it. Any tips on public transit from hotel in South London area

Thank you!
Click to expand...
Depends on where in South London, but for example coming from Brixton (in South London) I can be in my seat in the ground inside an hour from home. Let us know what neighbourhood you’ll be coming from and we can suggest a good route.
 

Advice for a visiting USA fan

WARFIELD BEE said:
Probably because it says Toilet on the door, and they confused:)
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I believe the club as part of their inclusion and diversity objectives are putting a non binary lense on signage displayed at the G tech during the close season. So toliet signs likely to be a thing of the past and this resolving your potential issue
 

Advice for a visiting USA fan

Hullbee said:
I believe the club as part of their inclusion and diversity objectives are putting a non binary lense on signage displayed at the G tech during the close season. So toliet signs likely to be a thing of the past and this resolving your potential issue
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I think the issue is yours judging by the number of posts you have made regarding this.:)
 
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