Emirates Stadium: Everything You Need to Know Before Your First (or Next) Visit

Emirates Stadium. Hornsey Road, London N7 7AJ. 60,704 seats. And one of the hardest grounds in the country to actually get into on matchday.

That's the bit most guides skip. Before you worry about which pub to hit or which stand has the best atmosphere, you need to know that getting through the door at all is a proper faff. And everything else, from transport to food to bag checks, needs sorting well in advance.

This is the practical, fan-tested stuff. No history lesson about how much the stadium cost to build. Just what you actually need to know to avoid having a mare on the day.

Key takeaways

• Emirates Stadium (60,704 capacity) is fully cashless, so leave your notes at home and make sure your phone or card is sorted before you arrive.
• Arsenal tube station on the Piccadilly line is the closest to the ground, but Finsbury Park (Victoria and Piccadilly lines plus Overground) gives you more options and dodges the worst of the post-match crush.
• The Clock End (lower tier especially) is the loudest stand for atmosphere, while the upper tiers of the East and West stands offer the best overall pitch views.
• Bags must not exceed 40cm x 20cm x 30cm, and there is no bag storage at the stadium. Check before you leave home.
• Getting a ticket in the first place requires at minimum a Red Membership (£38) to enter Arsenal's randomised ballot system. Even then, you're not guaranteed a seat.

How do I get to Emirates Stadium?

Three tube stations serve the ground. They are not equal.

Arsenal station (Piccadilly line) is the closest, roughly a four-minute walk. It's also rammed on matchday, with queues to even get out of the station afterwards. Holloway Road (also Piccadilly) is a touch further, maybe seven minutes on foot, and slightly less chaotic. Finsbury Park is about a ten-minute walk but connects to the Piccadilly line, Victoria line, and Overground, which gives you proper flexibility.

Here's the trick: if you're coming from central London, Finsbury Park is often the smarter shout. More platform options, less queueing, and a decent walk past a few pubs on your way down.

• Several routes stop along Holloway Road and Nag's Head. The 4, 19, 29, and 253 all pass close by.
• Don't. Seriously. There's a matchday controlled parking zone across the whole of Islington, and you won't find a space within a mile of the ground. If you absolutely must drive, park well outside and get the tube in. A mug's game otherwise.
• Finsbury Park is your best bet. Connects to mainline services from the north.

What is the Emirates Stadium bag and entry policy?

This is where first-timers get caught out. Arsenal's bag policy is strict. Maximum dimensions are reportedly 40cm x 20cm x 30cm, and they will measure it at the gate. Rucksacks, laptop bags, anything bulky. Leave it behind. There is no bag storage at the stadium or nearby, so if you rock up with a holdall, you're stuck.

The stadium is fully cashless. Contactless card or Apple/Google Pay for everything inside the ground. No cash whatsoever. Make sure your phone has battery or bring a backup card.

Gates typically open around two hours before kick-off. Arriving 60 to 90 minutes early is sensible for a first visit. Gives you time to find your gate, clear the bag check, grab something to eat, and soak it in without stressing. For the bigger fixtures, Category A+ and A games, you want to be there earlier because the queues build fast.

Arsenal runs random photo-ID checks matching the name on your ticket. If you've bought from some dodgy unauthorised source, you risk being turned away at the gate. Not worth the gamble.

Which stands have the best atmosphere?

The Emirates has four main stands: the Clock End, North Bank, East Stand, and West Stand. Each has a lower and upper tier.

• Clock End (Lower). Atmosphere: Best in the ground. View quality: Good, close to pitch. Notes: Where the singing starts. If you want noise, this is it.
• Clock End (Upper). Atmosphere: Very good. View quality: Slightly further back but still loud. Notes: Carries the energy from below.
• North Bank (Lower). Atmosphere: Good, passionate. View quality: Solid, behind the goal. Notes: Historically the heart of Arsenal support.
• North Bank (Upper). Atmosphere: Decent. View quality: Good elevation. Notes: Quieter than the Clock End.
• East Stand (Upper). Atmosphere: Quieter. View quality: Excellent panoramic view. Notes: Great for a first timer who wants to see everything.
• West Stand (Upper). Atmosphere: Quietest. View quality: Best overall sightlines. Notes: More corporate feel, especially lower tiers.

Atmosphere your priority? Clock End lower tier. No question. That's where the singing starts and where it stays loudest.

Want to actually see the full tactical picture (and don't mind less singing around you)? The upper East Stand is a cracking vantage point. The West Stand lower tier has a fair bit of hospitality seating and can feel a bit flat by comparison.

Worth knowing: you don't get to pick your exact seat through the ballot. You can choose up to two preferred price bands for league games, per Arsenal, but that's it. Manage your expectations on location.

What food and drink options are inside and around the stadium?

Inside the ground, you'll find the usual matchday fare: pies, burgers, hot dogs, chips. Portions are decent but the prices are what you'd expect from a Premier League ground in North London. Daylight robbery, some might say. Remember, it's all cashless.

The better move? Eat before you arrive. The streets around the Emirates are packed with food stalls and street vendors on matchday. Generally cheaper and tastier than what's inside.

Pubs near Emirates Stadium

This is where the pre-match ritual really happens.

• The Tollington (Tollington Road) is one of the most popular pre-match spots. Gets absolutely heaving, so arrive early if you want a seat.
• The Gunners (Blackstock Road) is another proper Arsenal pub. Atmosphere before a big game is brilliant.
• Drayton Park (near Drayton Park station) is a bit calmer and suits families or anyone who doesn't fancy being wedged in shoulder to shoulder.

If you're arriving via Finsbury Park, you'll walk past several options on Blackstock Road. Worth a stop.

Is the Arsenal stadium tour worth it?

If you're visiting on a non-matchday, the stadium tour is genuinely good. You get access to the changing rooms, the tunnel, the dugout, and pitch-side.

Key thing to know: tours do not run on matchdays. So if you're only in London for the game, you'll need to plan a separate visit. Book in advance through Arsenal's website, as they do sell out, especially during school holidays and weekends.

Is Emirates Stadium accessible for disabled fans?

Arsenal provides wheelchair spaces, amenity seats for ambulant disabled supporters, and accessible facilities around the ground.

Need accessible seating? Contact Arsenal's disability team directly when booking.

The station lifts at Arsenal tube can be unreliable, so checking TfL before you travel is a must. Finsbury Park tends to be a better option for step-free access.

The first-timer's Emirates checklist

Sort this lot before matchday. Screenshot it, print it, whatever works.

1. Ticket sorted and on your phone/card. No ticket app, no entry. Screenshot your confirmation as a backup.
2. Bag check.Measure it. If it's bigger than 40cm x 20cm x 30cm, leave it at your hotel.
3. Cashless payment ready. Contactless card or phone wallet. Check it works before you leave.
4. Phone charged. You'll need it for your ticket, payments, and probably photos of the cannon outside. Bring a power bank.
5. Transport planned. Know which station you're heading to. Have your Oyster or contactless card loaded.
6. Know your gate. Check your ticket for the entrance letter/number. Walking the entire perimeter because you guessed wrong is nobody's idea of fun.
7. Arrival time. Aim for 60-90 minutes before kick-off. Earlier for big games.
8. Check the weather. The Emirates is fully covered, but the walk from the station isn't. Layers.
9. No prohibited items.No large umbrellas, no selfie sticks, no cans or bottles.
10. Photo ID. Arsenal runs random checks. Bring it. Don't chance it.

A quick word on actually getting tickets

This guide is about the matchday experience, not the ticket-buying process. But it's worth flagging: you need at minimum a Red Membership (£38 for 2026/27) just to enter Arsenal's randomised ballot for home tickets. Silver Members (£56) get earlier ballot access. Even then, ballot success is not guaranteed, especially for the bigger fixtures.

Demand at the Emirates far outstrips supply. That's the hard truth. Which is exactly why smart fans line up a few options. Football Ticket Pro is one way to see verified listings for upcoming Arsenal fixtures without the usual stress.

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Arsenal. Last verified 13 June 2026.

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