Emirates Stadium Tour: FAQs
What to expect from an Emirates Stadium Tour including...
- A selection of highlights from the tour
- A whizz through the different tour options
- A guide to the Arsenal Museum
- And more, more, more
What is the Emirates Stadium Tour?
It’s your chance to go behind-the-scenes at one of the London’s most storied football clubs, Arsenal FC. Their ultra modern stadium has already seen its fair share of historical moments, and a tour is the perfect way to get a taste of their recent successes, see all the work that goes on in the background and see portions of the stadium inaccessible to match day fans. It’s the kind of access that football fans dream of.
What will I see on the Emirates Stadium Tour?
You’ll see the Directors Entrance, Directors Box and Diamond Club, basically the most VIP areas for those watching the game. The view from the box and exclusive Diamond Club is—as one would expect—pretty exceptional. Perhaps the best bits, the one’s you’ll have imagined exploring for years, are the Players Entrance, the Home and Away Dressing Rooms, Head Coach’s Office, Players Tunnel, Pitchside and Home Dugout. These give an insight into the match day experience seen through eyes of the players, both the Arsenal team and those who come to take them on on their home turf.
Take me through the highlights.
Stepping through the Players Entrance, you’ll feel that buzz of arriving for game day. Perhaps consider bringing a designer toiletry bag and too-big headphones for the occasion. The Home and Away Dressing Rooms offer up a particularly special experience, allowing you to step into the shiny boots of these young professionals and picture the scenes as they prepare themselves for the game. Then it’s out into the Players Tunnel for a little nervous twitching and last minute preparations whilst stood next to a small and happy child. And now you’re out there, Pitchside, imagining just what a motivational/confrontational experience it must be to have 60,000 fans there, singing, shouting, screaming, booing, whistling, cheering. The noise they’ll be making is largely down to what happens in the Home Dugout, so that’s where you’ll head next. Make the wrong decision and you could be out of the stadium before you’ve had the chance to say “Unai Em—.” Now it’s time for the fallout from the game, your meeting with the press pack. So head to the Interview Rooms, Press Conference Room and Media Lounge to pick the bones of your performance. Will you be for the chop, or will you be given a grace period as an inexperienced manager who has the club in their blood and needs more time to turn this underperforming squad around? Or, as is more likely, will you be finishing your tour at the Arsenal Museum, which is where the Emirates Stadium Tour ends?
The Arsenal Museum?
Yes, this is a separate part of your tour day experience. A visit to the Arsenal Museum is included with your tour, but it can also be visited separately. If you’re going with The London Pass, you can go to either or both. The museum features a wealth of items donated by former Arsenal players. Highlights include the goalkeeper gloves worn by Jens Lehmann during every single match of the Invincibles season of 2003/4, when Arsenal went unbeaten in the Premier League. You’ll also see Charlie George’s FA Cup Final shirt from 1971 and the 2015 FA Cup Final shirt signed by the winning squad. The museum covers Arsenal’s history from their formation in 1886, through their days playing in Woolwich, at Highbury and now at the Emirates. To take you on the journey, the museum boasts two impressive video theatres and twenty separate displays on Arsenal’s past, present and future.
Is the Emirates Stadium Tour guided? How does it work?
The Emirates Stadium Tour, the main tour offered by Arsenal FC, is self-guided. You get an audio guide to take with you on your adventure around the ground. The English version of the audio guide is voiced by Lee Dixon, Charlie George and Nigel Mitchell, so you get to hear about their match day experiences and history playing for and supporting the club. The tour is available in a total of 10 languages, including English, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, French, German, Portuguese, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese and, via video, British Sign Language. The self-guided nature of the tour allows you to take your time in experiencing the behind-the-scenes area and—perhaps most importantly—make sure you come away with all the photos you need. Because it’s self-guided, you don’t have a set time for when the tour begins, so bookings for the Emirates Stadium Tour are valid for three months. You can take the tour on any non-match day when the stadium isn’t hosting or preparing for other events. Those with a London Pass don’t need to book. Just turn up on a non-match day, show your pass, and you’re off.
Are there any extra with the Emirates Stadium Tour?
Yes, there are. You’ll get a free pair of Arsenal branded headphones and a personalised tour certificate to take away with you. Also, as previously mentioned, all those who go on the Emirates Stadium Tour gain access to the Arsenal Museum.
Are there any other tour types available?
Yes. Firstly, there’s the Legend Tour option, where a former Arsenal player guides you around the stadium. They’ll share revealing, funny and poignant memories from their playing days, take questions and pose for photos with you. The tours last 90 minutes, and all guests come away with a signed photo of the day’s legend. You'll also get a certificate and an Arsenal lanyard. All visitors get the chance to tour the sections of the stadium covered in the tour again at their own leisure afterwards and entry to the Arsenal Museum. To find out more about this tour option and upcoming dates, click HERE. Next up, you’ve got the Matchday Tour option. These take place—as you’ll have guessed—on match days. They are guided, last around 90 minutes, and will often feature interesting and unexpected events as the stadium gears up for kick offs. Think player fitness tests and ex-player pitch side interviews! Check out the programme for the Matchday Tour option HERE. Finally, there’s the VIP Legend Experience. These exclusive events are hosted by legendary former Arsenal players, including David Seaman, Ray Parlour, Martin Keown and Lee Dixon, alongside Arsenal pitch side commentator Nigel Mitchell. These are four hour tour and hospitality experiences, which include a hot buffet lunch with unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks in the exclusive Diamond Club. You’ll get some one-on-one time with your VIP legend, a signing session and photo opportunities; signed Arsenal merchandise; and entry to the Arsenal Museum, a tour certificate, a Stadium Tour guidebook and the chance to re-walk the public areas of the tour at your leisure. Find out more about this exclusive Arsenal experience HERE.
How much does the Emirates Stadium Tour cost?
The tour costs £25 for adults, £20 for concessions (65+, students, those with disabilities), and £16 for children (those aged between five and 15 years old). Mini Gunners (under 5s) get in free. The Emirates Stadium Tour is included with The London Pass.
Can you go to the Arsenal Museum without going on the Emirates Stadium Tour?
Yes, you can. Entry to the museum is £10 for adults, £7 for under 16s, £8 for the over 65s and £8 for students. You can buy tickets on the day. However, remember that entry to the Arsenal Museum is included with The London Pass. So, if you’re a pass holder, just show your London Pass at the museum for entry. The Arsenal Museum is open Monday to Saturday 10.00 until 18.30, and Sunday from 10.30 until 16.30. On match days, the museum is open from 10.00 until one hour before kick-off.
How do I get to the Emirates Stadium Tour?
Visitors should head to the Armoury Store, located within the Emirates Stadium. This will be clearly signposted when you arrive on the stadium complex. To get to the Emirates Stadium, the best option is certainly to use public transport. Arsenal tube station, served by the Piccadilly line, is three minutes walk away. Holloway Road tube is five minutes away and is also served by the Piccadilly line. Bus routes stopping close to the stadium include the 4, 19, 29, 43, 91, 106, 153, 236, 253, 254, 259, 263, 271 and 393. Basically, it’s very well-served by London buses.
What are the opening dates and times of the Emirates Stadium Tour?
The Emirates Stadium Tour runs Monday to Friday, from 10.00 until 17.00. On Saturdays, it runs from 9.30 until 18.00 and Sundays from 10.00 until 16.00. Last entry for the self-guided tour is an hour before closing time on each of these days. On match days, it’s different. You need to select a particular time for your tour. They are generally organised to finish well in advance of kick off. These match day tours are not included with The London Pass. Note that at other times in the year, the Emirates Stadium Tour may not run due to special events. Give them a call on 0207 619 5003 to check that the tour will be running on your chosen date.
What if I want to see a match at the Emirates Stadium? Is that possible with The London Pass?
With The London Pass, you can book exclusive tickets to Arsenal home games. Thrown in, you'll get complimentary half time drinks, a merchandise voucher and more. For more details, click HERE.
What if I want to see a match at another London football stadium?
The London Pass gives you access to The London Concierge service. Using this, you can book exclusive tickets for home games of football teams across London. These include Chelsea, Tottenham, West Ham and Crystal Palace. For more details, head HERE.