There’s a magical feeling to watching your own team competing on club football’s biggest stage, and the anticipation can make it extra special if they don’t necessarily qualify every season. However, witnessing Europe’s elite and visiting their iconic stadiums can also be an unforgettable experience, even as a neutral. With a rotating cast of 36 teams taking part in the competition proper each season, there’s a lot of choice for fans looking to combine some world-class football and a European city break.
- Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
- FC Barcelona at Camp Nou, Barcelona
- Liverpool at Anfield, Liverpool
- Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund
- Bayern Munich at Allianz Arena, Munich
Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
When it comes to iconic Champions League teams, Real Madrid stand head and shoulders above the rest. Los Blancos are the true kings of this competition, having won it more than any other side. Since winning their long-awaited 10th title (“La Decima”) in 2014, the club have continued an impressive hot streak with a slew of further victories in recent years. Real’s uncanny ability to turn it on in the Champions League is legendary – no matter what the score is, you can’t count them out until the final whistle blows. Whether they’re in a “Galactico” era or not, you can always count on Madrid’s ranks to be filled with some exceptional world-class talent, from Raul to Cristiano Ronaldo to Kylian Mbappe, the kinds of players that every fan should see live at least once in their career.
You can find ticket and schedule information for Real Madrid here.
FC Barcelona at Camp Nou, Barcelona
Not to be outdone by their archrivals in Madrid, Barcelona are another must-see team in the Champions League. The Catalan giants have at times produced some of the best football the competition has ever seen – the utter dismantling of Manchester United in the 2009 and 2011 finals by Lionel Messi, Xavi, and Andres Iniesta will live long in the memory. So too will “La Remontada,” their legendary comeback in the 2016-17 round of 16 in which they came from behind to beat Paris Saint-Germain 6-5 on aggregate. While Barca may not always be quite at that same level, they’re renowned for their incredibly attractive play. What’s more, their iconic Camp Nou stadium has been undergoing a significant renovation, one that will not only raise the capacity to 105,000 but also improve the quality of the facilities throughout, so a visit to the club promises to be even more special in the coming years.
Check out Barcelona’s tickets and calendar information here.
Liverpool at Anfield, Liverpool
When it comes to English teams, none have as rich a history in European competition as Liverpool. The Reds first lifted the European Cup in 1977, and they’ve claimed club football’s ultimate prize on multiple occasions since, as well as several victories in the UEFA Cup/Europa League. Most notably, perhaps, in the 2005 Champions League final, when they came from 3-0 down to serial UCL winners AC Milan to win on penalties. European nights at Anfield are legendary for their atmosphere, so for many football fans it can be a bucket-list experience to hear a live rendition of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” belted out proudly by the Kop End – unless you’re a Manchester United fan, that is!
Liverpool’s ticket and schedule information can be found here.
Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund
Although they’re routinely forced to play second fiddle to Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, Borussia Dortmund are renowned among football fans around the world as a truly special club, thanks in no small part to the fans. Signal Iduna Park (although BVB fans traditionally still refer to it by its original name, Westfalenstadion) is home to the “Yellow Wall,” the largest free-standing grandstand in Europe. It houses 25,000 of the most passionate fans you’ll find anywhere on the continent, and football fans and tourists alike flock to Dortmund every season to experience its electric atmosphere – not to mention the fan-friendly matchday experience and some outstanding football – for themselves.
Dortmund’s schedule and ticket information can be found here.
Bayern Munich at Allianz Arena, Munich
One of Europe’s biggest giants and one of the Champions League’s most successful teams, Bayern Munich are frequent contenders at the business end of this competition with multiple victories and final appearances. Nicknamed FC Hollywood, Bayern often devastate their opponents through a combination of sheer star power and incisive attacking play, so fans are regularly treated to world-class footballing displays from some of the best players on the planet. If that weren’t enough, the incredible colour-changing displays of Bayern’s Allianz Arena are also a sight to behold!
You can check out Bayern’s ticket information and schedule here.
