Stadium · Soccer
Emirates Stadium
The Emirates sits in Holloway in north London, close enough to the old Highbury ground that the walk between the two takes about ten minutes. It is a modern bowl with good sightlines from almost everywhere and an unusually easy transit position for a stadium of its size, with three Underground options inside a fifteen minute radius. The trade off fans consistently name is atmosphere: the bowl is quieter than the ground it replaced except on European nights.
Approximate all-seated Premier League configuration. Rail seating has been installed in sections, and UEFA fixtures reduce the usable figure.
What happens here
The teams and events that put this venue on a fan travel itinerary.
Home teams
Major events
- Premier League
- UEFA competitions
- Concerts
How it got here
The history that still shapes what you see on a visit.
Arsenal played at Highbury from 1913 until 2006, a compact ground boxed in by terraced streets that could not be expanded. The club moved half a mile to a former waste transfer site and opened the Emirates in July 2006 with roughly double the capacity. Highbury itself was converted into flats, and its listed Art Deco East Stand facade still stands behind the stadium.
Getting there
Including what changes on the way out, which is usually the harder half.
Transit summary
Arsenal station on the Piccadilly line is the closest, about a five minute walk, but it is small and heavily managed after full time. Finsbury Park is the better option in both directions: it is ten minutes on foot and carries the Piccadilly and Victoria lines plus National Rail. Highbury and Islington on the Victoria line and Overground is a similar walk and puts you next to Upper Street afterwards.
Parking and rideshare
There is effectively no matchday parking. The surrounding streets are controlled permit zones on matchdays and enforcement is active. Rideshare pickup is pushed away from the ground and the roads around the stadium close to traffic, so plan on walking to Finsbury Park or Holloway Road and travelling from there.
Where to stay, eat and drink
Nearby hotel areas
- Islington and Angel (best base, good food and bars, 20 minutes on foot or two stops)
- King’s Cross and St Pancras (excellent transport, 10 minutes on the Piccadilly line, wide hotel range)
- Finsbury Park (closest value stock, direct walk to the ground, quieter otherwise)
- Central London around Covent Garden and Holborn (best for a non-football weekend, 20 minutes door to door)
Bars and restaurants nearby
- Holloway Road, the main pre-match strip, busy from three hours before kickoff
- Upper Street in Islington, the best food and drink within a short walk
- Drayton Park and the streets immediately south of the ground for smaller local pubs
- Exmouth Market, a longer walk or short ride, better for a sit down meal away from the crowd
Tours and visits
The club runs a self-guided audio tour of the stadium and an on site museum most non-matchday dates, with a legends tour offered on selected days. Access is restricted around fixtures and concerts, so check the schedule for your specific date before booking travel around it.
Practical tips
Planning a visit to Emirates Stadium
- Premier League kickoff times move for broadcast and are confirmed only weeks ahead. Do not book non-refundable travel against a provisional date.
- Arsenal station is managed as one way after a full house. Walking ten minutes to Finsbury Park is usually faster than queuing.
- The stadium is cashless throughout, including food, drink and the club shop.
- European nights are a noticeably different atmosphere from a routine league game. If you have a choice of fixture, take the European one.
- Highbury is a ten minute walk away and the old East Stand facade is worth the detour before the game.
Bags, security and accessibility
Bag restrictions apply and anything larger than a small bag will be refused, with no locker facility on site. Accessible seating and audio commentary are available but must be arranged through the club in advance rather than on the day.
Related teams
Clubs that play here, and others we cover in the same city
Arsenal travel guide
Soccer · Premier League
The most transit-friendly big-club matchday in London
Open guideArsenal travel guide
Soccer · Premier League
The most transit-friendly big-club matchday in London
Open guideChelsea travel guide
Soccer · Premier League
The most central big-club ground in London, and the smallest
Open guideTottenham Hotspur travel guide
Soccer · Premier League
The best new stadium in Britain, and it hosts NFL games too
Open guideRelated destinations
The wider city guide around this venue
Related competitions
How the leagues and championships behind this actually work
UEFA Champions League guide
Soccer · Cup
Thirty-six clubs play eight league-phase fixtures against eight different opponents, four at home and four away, in a single combined table. The top eight go straight to the round of 16. Clubs finishing ninth to twenty-fourth enter a two-legged knockout playoff for the remaining places. Knockout rounds are two legs, home and away, until a single-match final at a neutral venue.
Open guidePremier League guide
Soccer · League
Twenty clubs play 38 matches each, home and away against every other club, from August to May. There are no playoffs. The champion is whoever finishes top. The bottom three are relegated and replaced by three clubs promoted from the division below, which is why late-season fixtures at the bottom of the table can matter as much as the ones at the top.
Open guideWhere to go next
Frequently asked questions
Which Tube station is best for the Emirates Stadium?+
Arsenal on the Piccadilly line is closest at about five minutes, but it is small and controlled after matches. Finsbury Park is ten minutes away, carries three services, and is usually the faster way out.
Can you park at the Emirates on a matchday?+
No. The surrounding area is a controlled permit zone on matchdays and roads near the ground close to traffic. Use public transport, or park further out and travel in.
Is the stadium tour worth doing?+
The self-guided tour and museum are straightforward and take about ninety minutes with the museum. Access is restricted around fixtures and concerts, so confirm the schedule for your date rather than assuming daily opening.
Last updated August 19, 2026
Sources and verification
- Transport for London journey planner and station information
- Arsenal official stadium, tour and access information
Capacity figures are approximate and configuration-dependent. Transit routes, bag policies, and tour access change around fixtures and construction. Verify before travel.
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FanForged has no affiliation with Emirates Stadium, its operator, or any team or event staged there. Venue names are used descriptively and no venue marks are reproduced here.