Arsenal FC Stadium Tours and Match Day Experiences: What to Expect at the Emirates

Walking through the gates of the Emirates Stadium on a match day isn’t just about watching a game-it’s stepping into a living piece of football history. Since 2006, Arsenal FC has called this modern arena home, and for fans, it’s more than a venue. It’s a pilgrimage. Whether you’re holding a ticket for the next Premier League clash or booking a behind-the-scenes tour, the experience starts long before the first whistle.

How the Emirates Stadium Tour Works

The Arsenal FC stadium tour runs every day except match days and major event days. You don’t need a ticket to the game to get in. Just show up at the main entrance near the North Bank, buy your ticket, and follow the signs to the tour check-in. The tour lasts about 75 minutes and covers nearly every area players and staff use.

You start in the museum, where you’ll see trophies from the 2003-04 Invincibles season, the last time a team went unbeaten in a 38-game Premier League campaign. There’s the actual ball used in that final match, worn jerseys from Henry, Bergkamp, and Vieira, and even the boots Thierry Henry wore when he scored his 175th goal for the club.

From there, you walk through the players’ tunnel, past the team bus parking spot, and into the home dressing room. The lockers are still labeled with player names-some current, some retired. You’ll see the same whiteboard the manager uses to sketch tactics before kickoff. It’s not staged. It’s real.

The tour continues up to the dugout, where you can stand where the coach barks orders. Then you climb into the media box, where reporters from around the world watch the game. The view from here is unmatched: the entire pitch laid out like a chessboard, the crowd a sea of red and white.

Match Day: The Atmosphere You Can’t Buy

If you’re lucky enough to have tickets, arriving two hours early makes all the difference. The streets around the Emirates-especially around Holloway Road and the nearby pubs-fill up with fans in scarves and shirts. The smell of hot dogs and mulled wine mixes with the sound of chants drifting through the air.

Security is tight but efficient. You’ll go through bag checks and metal detectors, but it’s quick. Once inside, find your seat and take a moment to look around. The stadium holds 60,704 people, and on a big game night, every one of them is singing. The north stand, where the most vocal fans sit, erupts at the first touch of the ball. The noise doesn’t stop until the final whistle.

There’s no official fan zone inside the stadium, but the concourses are packed with food stalls serving traditional British fare: pies, burgers, and proper chips. The beer lines are long, but worth it. The local lager served here is brewed just for Arsenal-light, crisp, and served cold.

Don’t miss the big screens showing replays and interviews. They’re not just for entertainment-they’re part of the ritual. When a goal goes in, the screen freezes the moment, then zooms in on the scorer’s face as the crowd loses its mind. That’s when you feel it: the shared heartbeat of 60,000 people.

What’s Included in the Tour Package

The standard tour ticket includes:

• Access to the museum and trophy room
• Guided walk through the players’ tunnel, dressing rooms, and dugout
• Entry to the media mixing zone and press conference room
• A commemorative match programme
• A 10% discount at the official Arsenal store

If you want more, you can upgrade to the Arsenal FC VIP Experience. That adds a meet-and-greet with a former player (rotating weekly-recent guests include Tony Adams and Robert Pires), a private tour of the training ground at London Colney (where the first team trains), and a meal in the club’s private dining room. It costs £185 per person, and slots fill up weeks in advance.

There’s also a family package. Kids under 16 get a free mini-trophy and a personalized video message from the team’s mascot, Gunnersaurus. Parents love it. Kids remember it forever.

Best Times to Visit

Weekdays are quieter. If you want photos without crowds, book a Tuesday or Wednesday tour. The museum is less packed, and the guides have more time to answer questions. You’ll hear stories you won’t find online-like how the club kept the old Highbury dugout bench in storage, just in case they ever needed it again.

Weekends are busier, but that’s when the energy is highest. If you’re visiting on a non-match day but want to feel the buzz, aim for a Saturday afternoon. You’ll still hear the distant echo of chants from the previous Sunday’s game, and the store is buzzing with fans buying gear for the next fixture.

For the full match day immersion, book a tour the day before a big game. The stadium is already buzzing. Staff are setting up banners, the pitch crew is checking the grass, and the sound system is being tested. You’ll get to see the place come alive.

What You Won’t See

Some things are off-limits. You won’t get into the locker room when the team is preparing for a match. You won’t walk through the players’ private entrance. And you won’t be allowed near the medical suite or the video analysis room. That’s not secrecy-it’s respect. These are real workplaces, not theme park rides.

The tour doesn’t include access to the rooftop terrace or the luxury suites. Those are reserved for corporate clients and season ticket holders. But you don’t need them to feel the magic. The main stands, the tunnel, the pitch-it’s all there.

Pro Tips for First-Time Visitors

• Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll walk over a mile during the tour.
• Bring a jacket. The stadium is air-conditioned year-round, even in winter.
• Buy your tour ticket online. It saves time and guarantees entry.
• Don’t rush the museum. There are over 200 artifacts on display. Take your time.
• Ask the guide about the oldest item in the collection. It’s not what you think.

And if you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of a current player walking through the corridors. They’re not there for selfies-but if you’re quiet and respectful, they’ll nod. And that’s enough.

How It Compares to Other Premier League Stadium Tours

Compared to Old Trafford or Anfield, the Emirates tour is more polished. It’s not as raw or emotional as Liverpool’s, but it’s more detailed. Manchester United’s tour includes a walk through the trophy room, but Arsenal’s museum is bigger, with more interactive displays.

At the City of Manchester Stadium, you get a drone flyover video. At the Emirates, you get real history. You walk where Henry scored 228 goals. You stand where Wenger stood during the Invincibles season. That’s not just a tour-it’s a tribute.

And unlike some clubs that charge extra for photos or memorabilia, Arsenal includes everything in the base price. No hidden fees. No upsells unless you ask.

Final Thoughts

Visiting the Emirates isn’t just about football. It’s about belonging. Whether you’ve followed Arsenal since the 1970s or just bought your first jersey last month, this place makes you feel part of something bigger. The tour doesn’t just show you the stadium-it shows you why it matters.

And that’s why people come back. Not just for the trophies. Not just for the view. But for the feeling you get when you step out of the tunnel and hear the crowd roar-even if it’s just a recording playing for tourists.