From football dressing rooms to Centre Court at Wimbledon, London’s stadium tours and museums offer an unforgettable glimpse behind the scenes of some of the world’s most iconic sporting venues. Jimmy Johnson reports.
Fresh from Arsenal’s Premier League triumph, there has never been a better time to visit the Emirates Stadium. The self-guided tour takes you from the home and away dressing rooms through the players’ tunnel to pitchside and the dugouts, before visiting the directors’ box and press conference room. The Arsenal Museum completes the experience with famous trophies (including the Premier League trophy), historic memorabilia and artefacts from the club’s greatest moments.
In west London, Chelsea FC’s official Stadium Tours lead visitors through Stamford Bridge‘s home and away dressing rooms, the players’ tunnel, pitchside, dugouts and press room, before finishing with entry to the Chelsea FC Museum. Packed with silverware, interactive exhibits and the chance to have your photo taken with all five major UEFA men’s trophies, the museum charts the club’s history from its founding in 1905 to its modern success.
Rugby fans should head to Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, where the official tour explores the ‘Home of England Rugby’. Highlights include the Royal Box, England changing room, players’ tunnel and a walk pitchside, with expert guides explaining the pre-match rituals and sporting life behind the scenes. Admission also includes entry to the World Rugby Museum, home to a world-class collection of rugby memorabilia.
At Lord’s Cricket Ground in St John’s Wood, often described as the Home of Cricket, knowledgeable guides reveal more than 200 years of sporting history. Visit the famous Long Room, players’ dressing rooms with the celebrated Honours Boards, the striking Barclays Media Centre and the MCC Museum, where treasures include the Ashes urn alongside one of cricket’s most remarkable collections of memorabilia.
Finally, no sporting pilgrimage is complete without Wimbledon. Led by expert Blue Badge Guides, the 90-minute tour explores the famous grounds of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, including Centre Court, subject to availability, and behind-the-scenes areas where champions prepare. Afterwards, the superb Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum brings The Championships to life with interactive galleries, trophies, original objects from iconic tennis legends and hands-on exhibits tracing the sport’s evolution from a Victorian pastime to today’s global phenomenon.
