Hello dear online friends! This is not your usual Football Manager 2011 challenge requiring you to take some obscure club to the top of the world, it’s something a lot different. The challenge was started by our friend Dave in the forum a while ago and it comes from a competition that he was having with his brother to see if they could get to all 92 league grounds in England to watch a match. So far they have been to 17 grounds in England and also three stadiums abroad: Barcelona, Schalke and IFK Gothenburg. Our friend Sears added his experience: Anfield Road, Espanyol Barcelona and Croke Park in Dublin. Jake (aka Excessive) has nine names to his list: Eastlands, Maine Road, Upton Park, Molineux, Bramhall Lane, Hawthorns, Wembley, Edgeley Park, Stamford Bridge.
As for me, I have visited most of the important stadiums in Romania, I’d count around 30. My regret is that I only managed to visit one stadium abroad but it was a special one and also a breathtaking experience: the World Cup Stadium in Seoul, South Korea.
I am planning to make amends to that though since buying tickets for matches all over the world is no longer such a big problem (at least it isn’t if you have enough money). I’m not rich but I guess I could spare some cash to watch a big European game soon as I found quite a few offers at TixDaq. My choice would be Real Madrid vs Barcelona at Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday, 17th of April but the prices are a bit steep on that one so it might well remain just a dream. How about you, are you planning or dreaming to see a match up close anytime soon? I’d also be very happy if you could share your experience in the forum about the stadiums that you have visited so far, I’m sure you have plenty of nice memories to reveal.
dan heath
11 февраля, 2011 at 10:30
Ive been following some of your stories for a while now i love FM but i am a bit lazy and do not usually blog and voice my opinion but had to get involved in this… I am an arsenal and AFC wimbledon fan and have been to about 50 stadiums in my lifetime and im only 21!! away games are what i live for!!
Johnny Karp
11 февраля, 2011 at 12:39
That’s amazing Dan, I envy you!
Lye
11 февраля, 2011 at 12:05
Hi Johnny,
It’s great to know what other stadiums others have been to. For me, i am just too far away. Living in the east though i would like to visit a live football match one day.
Johnny Karp
11 февраля, 2011 at 12:39
If you ever come to Romania tickets are on me :)
Sears
11 февраля, 2011 at 12:06
Wow, that’s some record. Well I live in Ireland and tbh, the quality of soccer here compared to England is a joke. However I’m still only 16 so I’ve loads of years ahead of me to visit grounds :-) My dream is to go and watch some of the biggest rivalries like Celtic-Rangers Barce-Real etc..
Johnny Karp
11 февраля, 2011 at 12:40
Celtic vs Rangers sounds good but you’ll have to avoid the pre-game and post-game fights :)
Excessive
11 февраля, 2011 at 14:33
Johnny, it’s Jake mate :).
And it’s 11, just edited my post.
Managed to forget: Walkers Stadium and the City Ground.
Johnny Karp
11 февраля, 2011 at 14:46
Sorry for the confusion mate, I’ll edit the post right now. I owe you a beer for that :)
Excessive
11 февраля, 2011 at 15:32
Haha, I’ll hold you to that then ;)
John
11 февраля, 2011 at 14:39
I had a home and away season ticket for 9 years with my beloved West Brom, been to around 60 different grounds all in UK. Been New Wembley twice(not old one unfortunately) I’ve been to the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff to watch Walsall in the old Division 2 play off final, and I’m only 24! Not many league grounds I have yet to visit :)
Johnny Karp
11 февраля, 2011 at 14:48
Well done!
James
11 февраля, 2011 at 15:13
Is this in real life or in FM? lol
Sears
11 февраля, 2011 at 15:25
Haha, real life mate :-D :-D :-D :-D
Johnny Karp
11 февраля, 2011 at 15:50
I guess we all have from a few hundreds to a few thousands in FM :)
Laxeyman
11 февраля, 2011 at 16:19
Hi Johnny, unfortunately I can’t get to many stadiums in England but I have been to Anfield and Boundary Park (Oldham) twice, and also The Butcher’s Arms Ground (Droylsden), Deepdale (Preston), Fratton Park (Portsmouth), Prenton Park (Tranmere) and the Millenium Stadium. That’s not bad I guess as I have a lot of time to go to more. I know someone who has been to around 80 grounds, which is amazing :) I’d love one day to go to Liverpool v Everton as the atmosphere would be fantastic :)
Johnny Karp
11 февраля, 2011 at 16:31
Time is definitely on your side, I’m sure you’ll get to see plenty of grounds :)
Smithy
11 февраля, 2011 at 18:50
stadiums ive been to our: Wembley (besy stadium in england) 4 times best match i watched there was
England Vs Brazil also seen there our.
England under 16s vs spain under 16s
england under 21s vs portugal under 21s and
Gillingham vs shrewsbury play off final
also been to:
emirates stadium (arsenal)
portman road (ipswich)
carrow road (norwich)
charlton (forgot name)
and fulhams :D
Smithy
11 февраля, 2011 at 18:52
im only 16 btw
Johnny Karp
11 февраля, 2011 at 18:57
Well done, you have plenty of time to add more to the list.
Ana Garcia
11 февраля, 2011 at 20:45
I have only really been to a few and all of them up North!
My boyfriend is a Chelsea fan so he usually gets tickets for the games within traveling distance of where we live so I have been to Newcastle, Liverpool, both teams in Manchester, Everton and Sunderland. Sorry I cant remember the names of the stadiums!
I also have been to to Carlisle (Brunton Park!) my local team a few times, a player called Michael Bridges played for them and he came into my salon one day and he forgot his wallet so arranged that me and my friend could have free tickets to see the game!
Was really embarrassing as we were in the posh boxes with all the well dressed people! But he came up after the game and just chatted with us for ages, a really nice guy!
I have also been to the Nou Camp! Once to see Barcelona play Mallorca and the other was just a tour of the stadium. I have also been to the Mestalla (Valencia) but again that was just a tour and I didnt get to see a game.
Johnny Karp
11 февраля, 2011 at 21:43
So, if Chelsea would beat Barcelona in the Champions League will your boyfriend have to sleep on the door mat? :P
David Wiggins
13 февраля, 2011 at 02:20
Michael Bridges is currently playing in Australia Ana — See if you could get some more free tickets from him now!
James
11 февраля, 2011 at 22:29
Ok then, I’ve only been to 3 grounds :/ Old Trafford, The Stadio Olimpico (to the champions league 2009 final) and the bernabeu to see Man Utd vs Real Madrid :))
Johnny Karp
12 февраля, 2011 at 14:52
Only major stadiums there, those surely were memorable experiences.
James
12 февраля, 2011 at 18:06
Definitely :D
Kevin
12 февраля, 2011 at 09:57
No chance of winning this competition :)
Anyway here’s my list — non compliant for the most part!
Ashton Gate (Bristol City)
The Old Wembley (England v Brazil)
BMO Field (Toronto FC)
Rogers Centre (Formely Skydome — Toronto)
Metrodome ( Minneapolis — Minnesota)
Houston Astrodome
Mile High Stadium (Denver)
Twerton Park (Bath City)
Johnny Karp
12 февраля, 2011 at 14:53
It’s not a competition but if it would be then you would surely be the winner of the North American Section :)
Rod
12 февраля, 2011 at 11:12
Hi, i always read this site but this is my first time writing, i’m from Argentina and i’ve managed to see Real Madrid-Barcelona (Camp Nou), Flamengo-Fluminense (Maracaná), and a lot of games here in my country, but nothing compares to Boca-River (La Bombonera), it’s absolutely amazing, the stadium trembling, the people shouting and singing, the colours, i cannot even describe it, best experiencie of my whole life. :D
Johnny Karp
12 февраля, 2011 at 14:55
Hi Rodrigo! I’ve watched a few Boca vs River games on TV and the atmosphere is electric even on the TV screen! That’s one game I would surely love to watch from the stands.
Mat
12 февраля, 2011 at 12:10
I’ll add the Sydney Football Stadium and Bluetongue Stadium to the list. Gotta have at least one Aussie as far as I’m concerned :)
Johnny Karp
12 февраля, 2011 at 14:55
Sure thing mate :)
Vaibhav C.
12 февраля, 2011 at 16:45
I went to Old Trafford to watch United-Chelsea last season, but we lost. I have been to the Bahrain National Football Stadium to watch Bahrain-New Zealand, I live in Bahrain and tickets were almost free.
Johnny Karp
14 февраля, 2011 at 07:49
Will Bahrain qualify for a World Cup anytime soon? That would be a great opportunity for you to visit new stadiums! :)
Vaibhav C.
16 февраля, 2011 at 16:39
Seeing how India (who I support since I’m Indian) scored two goals against Bahrain, it shows that Bahrain’s defense is bad, and if Saeed Adnaan keeps missing penalties, then I don’t think Bahrain will make it soon.
Sayam Khan
12 февраля, 2011 at 17:36
Well i’ve been to Old Trafford three times, twice because the ticket was free :-D (i live quiet close to them) The other time i went to Old Trafford was when Arsenal played them. It was in 2006. Gilberto Silva missed a penalty but Emmanuel Adebayor scored a late 86th minute winner! We had Henry, RVP, Ljungberg, Pires all injured then.
James
12 февраля, 2011 at 18:09
United are still better ;)
Johnny Karp
14 февраля, 2011 at 07:49
You surely have a big advantage living near Old Trafford. Too bad you support Arsenal though :)
David Wiggins
13 февраля, 2011 at 02:23
Reading all the responses to this has reminded me that I have been to the old Wembley! Didn’t even think to add it to the list! Can’t remember if I written about this on the forum but I went to the County Ground in Swindon in January and am going to St Andrews in Birmingham next week!
I was thinking a couple of days ago that I would love to go to De Kuip which is Feyenoords ground but they are rubbish this season! Might try and get to the Amsterdam Arena instead to see Ajax!
Johnny Karp
14 февраля, 2011 at 07:50
That Amsterdam Arena is a real beauty from what I’ve seen on TV, it should be a great experience if you make it.
Nathan McMullan
13 февраля, 2011 at 20:52
ive been to the following grounds
Millenium stadium — Wales
Wembley — England
Aviva — Dublin
Ninian Park — Cardiff old
The Cardiff City stadium — Cardiff new
The Racecourse — Wrexham
The city of manchester stadium — Man city
Old Trafford — Man united
Prenton Park — Tranmere
Crew Alexander — Gresty road
Celtic Park — Celtic
Stanford Bridge — Chelsea
not bad and i am only 17
Johnny Karp
14 февраля, 2011 at 07:51
Not bad at all Nathan, not bad at all :)
Glenn
13 февраля, 2011 at 21:17
I have only been to my local football ground, bloomfield road, home of blackpool football club, i went last year when they was still in the championship and near play-off places, they was playing nottingham forest and won 2-0 but as the first ever experiance in a stadium it was so amazing, the atmosphere was immense, i just hope that i can go to a bigger stadium in the near future and feel the atmosphere of 60,000 + fans :)
Johnny Karp
14 февраля, 2011 at 07:52
The Blackpool fans are amazing, I always try to watch their home games on TV just for the atmosphere!
Billy
13 февраля, 2011 at 23:03
Highbury (Old Arsenal Stadium)
Emirates
Stade Louis II (Monaco)
Brisbane Road (Leyton Orient)
Hillsborough (Sheff Wed)
Selhurst Park (Crystal Palace)
Nou Camp
Redbull Salzburg Can’t Remeber Stadium Name
Wembley
Not Bad Considering Im Only 15
Johnny Karp
14 февраля, 2011 at 07:52
Impressive Billy, you have plenty of time to add quite a few more!
hils
14 февраля, 2011 at 16:08
I have only been to 2 stadiums!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:(
Johnny Karp
14 февраля, 2011 at 18:17
Don’t worry, you have plenty of time to visit more!
hils
17 февраля, 2011 at 15:27
I think i have just remembered been to 3 stadiums!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D