Travel Like a Superfan: The Points Guy’s Best 2026 Destinations for Football Trips

Travel Like a Superfan: Plan smarter, not harder — and spend fewer points getting to the game

Nothing is more frustrating for a football fan than piecing a trip together from scattered pages: flights here, match tickets there, a stadium tour that sold out last month. If you collect points and miles, 2026 is the year to turn that stash into unforgettable matchday experiences — without the guesswork. This guide blends The Points Guy’s 2026 top destinations with matchday must-sees, stadium tours, fan bars and step-by-step strategies to book using points and miles.

Why 2026 is different for football travel

Big events and new tech converge in 2026. The FIFA World Cup across the US, Canada and Mexico is just months away (June–July 2026), clubs have tightened digital ticketing, and loyalty programs continue shifting toward dynamic pricing. That means flexibility, timing and the right transfer partners matter more than ever.

Instead of starting from zero, use a destination-first approach: pick the city and fixture you want, then map points routes and back-up plans. Below you'll find destination-specific itineraries and concrete points-and-miles tactics for each — plus universal matchday planning advice that any traveling fan can apply.

How to use this guide

• Read the destination overviews to pick where you want to go.
• Use the points tips under each city to route flights and book hotels.
• Follow the matchday and stadium-tour suggestions to maximize your time.
• Use the travel checklist at the end before you go.

Top Points Guy–inspired destinations for 2026 — and how a superfan should visit

Below are eight standout cities from The Points Guy’s 2026 picks that are exceptionally friendly for football travel. For each: the match you should aim for, a stadium tour or experience, iconic fan bars, and practical points-and-miles tactics.

1. London — Premier League theatre and world-class pub culture

Must-see match: Tottenham, Arsenal, Chelsea, or a Sunday at Crystal Palace for an old-school away-day vibe.
Stadium tour: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium or Emirates Stadium — both have immersive tours and museum access.
Fan bars: Start in Shoreditch for away fans or head to Camden’s lively pubs on matchday.

Points strategy: Use flexible points (Amex Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards) to transfer to Avios and book off-peak British Airways or Iberia awards. For UK nights, transfer hotel points (Marriott/Hyatt) or use short-term apartment bookings with flexible cancellation to avoid matchday price spikes.

Matchday tip: Buy club membership pre-sale windows with the club’s membership (often required for big matches). For derbies, plan public transit and arrive early — London tube congestion spikes two hours before kick-off.

2. Madrid — Trophies, tapas and the Santiago Bernabéu

Must-see match: Real Madrid at Bernabéu or Atlético at Wanda Metropolitano for a contrasting atmosphere.
Stadium tour: Santiago Bernabéu — the revamped 2024–2025 upgrades mean new VIP corridors and multimedia experiences on tour.
Fan bars: La Latina for classic tapas near Atlético; near Bernabéu, smaller sports bars host Madridistas.

Points strategy: Flying Blue (Air France/KLM) often has Europe sales and sweet spots for Madrid flights; transfer flexible points there. Use hotel points to secure a night near the stadium — many Madrid hotels offer matchday packages for late check-outs and laundry.

3. Liverpool — Anfield, the Kop and authentic fan culture

Must-see match: Anfield on a European night or a Merseyside derby if you can get it.
Stadium tour: Anfield Tour with the museum and a walk through the Kop — book months in advance for high-demand fixtures.
Fan bars: The Cavern and nearby pubs in the Lark Lane area; for away fans, head to the Baltic Triangle for nightlife.

Points strategy: Use Avios or partner airline awards into Manchester with a short train hop, or fly directly to Liverpool John Lennon Airport on short-haul partners. For accommodations, search for refundable rates and cover the matchday night with points to avoid last-minute price surges.

4. Berlin — Eclectic fan culture and modern stadiums

Must-see match: Union Berlin’s Stadion An der Alten Försterei for a passionate, community-run feel, or Hertha at the Olympiastadion.
Stadium tour: Olympiastadion or the intimate Union Berlin grounds (check local community events).
Fan bars: Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain host fan hubs and alternative football gatherings.

Points strategy: Transfer points to European partners (e.g., Flying Blue) or redeem through airline partners for flexible itineraries. Berlin hotels are still relatively affordable — use points for boutique stays in Kreuzberg for easy walkability on matchday.

5. Buenos Aires — Football religion with stadium tours and street passion

Must-see match: Boca Juniors at La Bombonera for the vocal atmosphere or River Plate at Monumental for scale.
Stadium tour: La Bombonera is a must; ticketed matches are intense and often sell out fast.
Fan bars: Palermo or San Telmo for pre-match rituals and local fan gatherings.

Points strategy: Long-haul redemptions can be big wins if you book early. Use transferable points to partner airlines that serve South America. Consider segmenting the trip: premium cabin one-way, economy back — this is a common sweet spot to stretch points.

6. Mexico City — World Cup host nation atmosphere and historic Azteca

Must-see match: Club América at Estadio Azteca or a Liga MX derby.
Stadium tour: Estadio Azteca and museum tours showcase the stadium’s World Cup history.
Fan bars: Condesa and Polanco neighborhoods for pre/post-match fan culture.

Points strategy: For 2026 World Cup travel, use transferable points early to book flights into Mexico City or to cities hosting matches (book as soon as schedule is confirmed). Hotel points are invaluable during the tournament — many properties will price up but award nights give control.

7. New York / Northeast USA — MLS, US Open Cup vibes and World Cup hub

Must-see match: NYCFC or Red Bulls depending on schedule; domestic cup fixtures can offer intimate atmospheres.
Stadium tour: MetLife Stadium for big events or Red Bull Arena for a compact soccer-specific feel.
Fan bars: Hudson Yards and Hell’s Kitchen in NYC; for Red Bulls, Harrison’s vibrant local pubs.

Points strategy: Domestic award availability is generally good. Use bank points + partner transfers for premium cabins on the way in for a more relaxed arrival. Consider open-jaw itineraries if attending multiple games in nearby cities.

8. São Paulo / Rio de Janeiro — South American derbies and Carnival-level passion

Must-see match: Corinthians or Flamengo for a high-voltage derby night.
Stadium tour: Maracanã in Rio is legendary; guided tours include trophy rooms and pitch-side walks.
Fan bars: Lapa in Rio or Vila Madalena in São Paulo for matchday energy.

Points strategy: Position yourself with an airline that offers routings into both cities; flexible points that move to LATAM or Star Alliance partners help. For safety and convenience, use hotel points for centrally located stays and pre-arrange airport transfers and lounge options.

Universal matchday and points-play checklist

Whether you’re chasing a Champions League night or a local derby, these steps will make your trip reliable and repeatable.

1. Lock flights early: For 2026, book award flights 6–9 months out for international leagues and 9–12 months for World Cup travel if you’re targeting tournament cities.
2. Use flexible points as your foundation: Keep a stash of transferable points for last-minute award sweet spots and partner transfers. Learn advanced points thinking in playbooks on micro-rewards and points leverage.
3. Join club memberships: Many clubs give members pre-sale ticket windows — essential for derbies and big matches.
4. Buy refundable accommodation or use points: Hotels on points avoid price surges and give flexibility if kick-off schedules shift. For short-term apartment and flexible-stay tactics, see micro-stays playbooks.
5. Set alerts: Use award search tools and fare alerts to pounce on sales or sudden saver space.
6. Plan transport: Proximity to the stadium matters — plan the last-mile using transit apps and allow extra time for post-match crowds.
7. Insurance and contingencies: For high-value award bookings or World Cup plans, consider travel insurance with award protection or look for credit cards that offer travel disruption benefits.

Advanced points plays for fans (2026-forward)

Here are concrete moves experienced fan-travelers use:

• Split cabin itineraries: Book a one-way in premium using points then return economy if awards are scarce — often the best use of limited points.
• Leverage hotel promos: Stack hotel-brand promotions with points nights to earn free stays that cover match nights.
• Use partner airlines: Transfer to carriers with better award availability into your target city; if one partner has no space, another often will.
• Book close-in cash awards: Some programs offer reduced cash pricing for last-minute international awards — compare points vs cash value before booking.
• Pool points for groups: If traveling with friends, pooling options (or family accounts) can unlock premium seats or rooms.

Sample 3-day Superfan Itinerary (London example)

1. Day 1 — Arrival: Land in the morning using award tickets. Check in to a centrally located hotel booked with points. Afternoon: stadium tour and museum. Evening: pre-match pub crawl in Shoreditch.
2. Day 2 — Matchday: Light morning sightseeing. Lunch at a recommended fan bar. Arrive at stadium 90 minutes early to soak in the atmosphere and avoid tube crushes. Post-match: celebrate or commiserate at late-night pub.
3. Day 3 — Recovery and local culture: Sleep in, visit a local landmark, and use hotel loyalty benefits (late checkout) before heading to the airport on a mid-afternoon award flight. For microcation-style recovery, consider microcation tips from microcation playbooks.

Real travel experience — Fan spotlight

"I used points from a Chase sign-up bonus to fly premium to Madrid, transferred Amex to Avios for a cheap one-way into London, and booked stadium tours weeks ahead — the combination made a two-city European run doable in nine days." — Alex M., superfan and community trip leader

Alex’s approach is common: mix-and-match points, book stadium tours early, and treat club memberships as travel insurance for ticket access.

Time zones, broadcast windows and matchday scheduling

International fixtures and European nights mean late returns and jet-lag. For multi-city trips:

• Plan at least one recovery day after a late-night match before flying long-haul.
• Check local kickoff times and daylight-saving transitions — schedule changes can affect public transit.
• For televised fixtures, verify that the stadium or fan bar enforces broadcast rights — some venues host watch parties instead of live match access.

Safety, tickets and avoiding scams

Ticketing scams spike around high-profile matches. Follow these rules:

• Buy directly from club sites or trusted resale partners tied to the club.
• Avoid street scalpers and always verify mobile-ticket legitimacy before arrival.
• Use credit cards with chargeback protections for secondary-market purchases.

Packing and last-mile essentials

• Carry a compact phone battery and a local transit app downloaded offline.
• Bring compact rain gear and layers — stadium weather is unpredictable.
• Have digital copies of tickets and club confirmations in two places (email + wallet app).

Final actionable takeaways (do these in order)

1. Decide your destination and primary fixture — mark the calendar with potential match windows.
2. Check club membership requirements and sign up if needed.
3. Search award space across at least three transfer partners; set alerts for any open space.
4. Reserve stadium tours and pre-match fan-bar reservations where possible.
5. Book flexible, refundable hotels on points and keep a contingency fund in cash for sudden changes.

Why this plan works in 2026

Airline programs have moved toward dynamic award pricing — that makes flexible transferable points and early planning more valuable. Stadiums and clubs are offering richer in-person experiences, so pairing award flights with paid stadium tours and club memberships yields the best matchday ROI. Most importantly, the 2026 World Cup will concentrate travel demand; use these techniques now to lock routes, hotels and tickets before prices spike.

Closing: Turn points into unforgettable away days

Football travel in 2026 rewards fans who combine destination choice, timely award-booking and local knowledge. Use flexible points, join club memberships, and treat stadium tours as the backbone of your itinerary. Whether you’re chasing an Anfield European night, a La Bombonera derby, or a World Cup group stage match in North America, the steps above will help you travel like a superfan without burning all your miles.

Ready to build your 2026 fan trip? Start by telling us your destination and point balances — we’ll show a tailored route and a 72-hour matchday plan. Drop your city in the comments or subscribe for weekly Points Guy–style destination breakdowns for football fans.

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