The Liverpool Matchday Experience

Going to Anfield to watch Liverpool Football Club is a popular entry on bucket lists all over the world. A very famous football club, playing in a very famous football league, in a very famous football stadium, with a very famous football atmosphere. You can see the appeal, right?

What we want to do in this blog, though, is take a closer look at what it’s like to go and watch Liverpool FC play at Anfield Stadium. We’ll offer some top tips on getting there, what to do pre-match, what you can expect in the stadium and also the best way to get Liverpool tickets, with an emphasis on some of the incredible Liverpool hospitality tickets that are available.

Getting to Anfield Stadium

As with most grounds in the Premier League, driving to Anfield Stadium is tricky business. The roads around the stadium are generally residential, and were never designed for the quick entry and departure of 60,000 people. So, while there are parking spots available around Anfield, you may find yourself queuing for a long time, particularly after the match.

A better option is to travel to the ground on a bus from Liverpool city centre. There are a number of express services that you can catch to make getting to the ground a stress free process. You can get the 917 from Commutation Row in the City Centre, close to Lime Street Station, and get the same service back from Walton Lane after the game. Alternatively, you can get the Soccerbus, which runs from Sandhills Station, and again leaves from Walton Lane after the game.

The big benefit of travelling to the ground in this way is that you can sample all of what Liverpool city centre has to offer – so many bars, pubs and restaurants, as well as plenty of cultural attractions. (Did you know the Beatles were from Liverpool..!?). If you’re travelling from outside of Liverpool, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to explore this underrated city centre.

A taxi is also an option from the city centre, which will be slightly quicker than the bus, but probably much more expensive.

Soaking up the atmosphere

When you arrive at Anfield, our advice is to head to one of the Liverpool Football Club Fanzones. One is located in Paisley Square, by the Main Stand and The Kop, and the other is on Anfield Road, between the Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand and the Anfield Road Stand. At both of those you will find live music and entertainment, as well as plenty of food, drink and retail stands. It’s a great place to take in the atmosphere as the anticipation begins to grow.

These Fanzones open four hours before kick off, so you have plenty of time to have a drink, grab some food or just watch what’s on stage. The crowd will gradually build and build over the hours. Even if you have Liverpool VIP tickets, you’ll still have time to visit the Fanzones before your hospitality packages begin three hours before kick off.

Pubs around Anfield Stadium

If you fancy a drink in a pub near to Anfield, then there are a few options for you. The most popular is probably The Sandon, which has a rich history and claims to be the ‘birthplace of Liverpool Football Club’. It’s right next to the stadium, so is incredibly popular (and therefore busy) on matchdays, but worth a visit if you fancy a pint. Another two options are The King Harry and The Albert – both of these have a reputation for an electric pre-match atmosphere. Get there early and find yourself a spot if you want to mix in with other Liverpool fans.

Around the ground

While walking around Anfield Stadium, you’ll see plenty to keep you interested. There’s the 14-foot statue of Liverpool great Bill Shankly and the Paisley Gates, as well as a host of roadside stalls selling unofficial memorabilia. You can find the official Liverpool club shop on Walton Breck Road.

Between two hours and 90 minutes before kick off, the team buses will start to arrive. The opponents usually come in first, followed by the Liverpool bus. They arrive at the Anfield Road End, and it’s a great opportunity to catch a glimpse of your heroes up close, and the players do often stop to have photos – this isn’t always the case though.

Inside the ground

If you have general admission Liverpool FC tickets, you will be able to visit one of the many kiosks on the concourse. There you’ll find a wide range of food and drink to try, and there are also betting kiosks for you to place a bet on the upcoming match.

If you are lucky enough to have a hospitality package, though, you are likely to have access to something a bit special. For example, Brodies Sports Bar is a wonderful new addition to the stadium, built as part of the new Anfield Road Stand development. It’s an exclusive bar, with an extensive selection of complimentary street food, and also provides you with the opportunity to meet a former Liverpool FC player.

Alternatively, there is the Anfield Beat Lounge, located in the Main Stand lower tier. Here you will receive a complimentary drink (at half time), and the chance to buy a wide range of hot food options. Again you may get the chance to meet a former Liverpool FC player, as you mingle with other fans in a relaxed atmosphere.

The match

Make sure you take your seats early, though, so you can really soak up that famous pre-match atmosphere at Anfield. I defy any Liverpool supporter to sit there as the Kop, in full voice, is belting out “You’ll Never Walk Alone” and not feel goosebumps. One of the finest sights in world football.

That sets the tone for the rest of the match. As one of the most successful English football clubs, Liverpool are used to being well-backed by their fans. Even though there are much bigger stands in England, few can make as much noise as The Kop. So enjoy being there to experience it in person – it’s something that just cannot be replicated on TV, you need to be there to witness it in person. This is what the matchday experience is all about – hearing that roar, being a part of a crowd getting behind the team. You can’t beat it. It’s why so many people dedicate their lives to following their teams home and away – it’s a rush that cannot be matched.

What we’re trying to say here is this- if you get the chance to attend a Liverpool match: take it.

How to get Liverpool tickets

Getting Liverpool tickets can be quite tricky, unfortunately. With around 30,000 Liverpool season tickets, the rest are usually sold to Members, and pretty much every game will sell out. Demand is so high – it’s not Liverpool season ticket prices that will mean you’re unlikely to ever get one, it’s the fact that the waiting list grew so long that they had to suspend it!

Every six months, Members can apply for tickets to specific games, and if they get lucky, they will then be able to join a queue to purchase tickets. You need to be flexible with the dates, and understand that you’ll have more chance for the matches against weaker opponents and for weekday night matches.

If you are looking for the big games, like the Merseyside Derby, or against Manchester United, or a big UEFA Champions League game, the best way to buy Liverpool tickets is with a hospitality package. And you can do that with us at Events Hospitality.

All you need to do is browse through our list of upcoming Liverpool home matches, and select the one you want to attend. Look at the packages on offer and hit Enquire Now – we’ll get the ball rolling to ensure you’ll be there at Anfield for your chosen match. You may even get to see them win the Premier League title…

If you have any questions about Liverpool tickets, please don’t hesitate to get in touch – we’d be more than happy to help you find the perfect package for you and your party.