Football stadium tours are big business these days, as they help teams to earn some extra cash for maintenance and possibly even for improving their team. Fans also love them, as they get a chance to take a peek behind the scenes and get up close to the places that are never normally seen.

There are some terrific stadium tours offered all over the world, with the following three among those that no football supporter or keen traveller should miss.

The Camp Nou, Barcelona


With a seating capacity of almost 100,000, the home of Barcelona is the biggest stadium in Europe, as well as being the fourth biggest on Earth.  The official tour lets visitors get out on the pitch and into the changing rooms, as well as having an official guide to point out all of the facts about this cavernous arena. There are matchday tours as well as options for visiting it when no game is scheduled.

As with the action on the field, the competition between Barcelona and Real Madrid to provide the best, most popular tour is fierce. These are the two most successful teams in Spain, and have won 17 of the last 20 La Liga titles between them, with the current Nordicbet odds showing Real Madrid at 2.10 and Barca at 2.20 this season.

Wembley Stadium, London


The UK's biggest stadium was opened in 2007, but for many people it is still the historic home of football, as it is built on the site of the famous arena that was opened by King George V in 1923.  Various big games are held here during the year, and it is possible to combine one with a tour, or else simply take a tour on any other day.

Visitors are shown around the giant stadium by a professional guide and even get to lift a replica of the FA Cup. Most tours last for around 75 minutes and give fans a unique opportunity to see areas such as the Press Room and the Royal Box, as well as some memorable souvenirs from the past.



Allianz Arena, Munich


The home of Bayern Munich is another of Europe's great stadiums, with the team based in the 75,000 capacity Allianz Arena since the 2005-06 season. It is slightly smaller than the atmospheric Westfalenstadion, where rivals Borussia Dortmund play, but the huge success of Munich in winning the last eight Bundesliga titles helps to attract many visitors here.

The Bayern Munich stadium tour lasts up to two and a half hours, with at least an hour recommended in the FC Bayern Museum, where a permanent exhibition shows all of their trophies and images of their most famous players. At 3000 mē, this is the biggest football museum in Germany, with video screens and interactive displays adding to the experience.


Choose Your Favourite Team or Stadium


Most big stadiums and the teams that play in them now have their own tours for fans to enjoy. No matter which team you support or where you travel to, a few minutes of online research should let you see what your options are for getting a look behind the scenes.