da brwin： Introducing Soccer Cities 2023 – the best destinations for football fans this year
da heads bet： Soccer Cities 23 is here!
Across five continents and 10 countries, we are bringing you on journey to some of the most incredible places around the world to experience football as a football fan.
We'll be looking at cultural landmarks, football heritage, major derbies and the overall package of why these cities are the best destinations for fans of the game this year.
Whether it is a must-see football pilgrimage for a die-hard fan or the home of the game's newest blood, GOAL takes a look at the best Soccer Cities to see in 2023!
GOAL10Prague 🇨🇿
Situated at the heart of Europe, Prague is a city that boasts a rich and complex history, with its origins dating all the way back to the eighth century.
An array of Baroque, Gothic and Renaissance architecture means that the Czech capital has no shortage of monuments to visit and sights to see, while its diverse nightlife has ensured it is a popular venue for group getaways, as well as those seeking a quiet city break.
The City of a Hundred Spires is also a hotbed of football, with rival teams Slavia and Sparta contesting a derby that traces its origins to the 19th century, while legendary players such as Tomas Rosicky, Patrik Schick and Jan Koller all hail from there. Ballon d'Or winner Pavel Nedved's journey took him through Prague, too.
Indeed, Prague’s football legacy has been recognised by UEFA, with the Fortuna Arena hosting the 2023 Europa Conference League final between West Ham and Fiorentina, having previously hosted the 2013 UEFA Super Cup.
👀 Check out our guide to Prague
AdvertisementGOAL9Budapest 🇭🇺
Budapest is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a truly remarkable historic cityscape which sprawls elegantly along the Danube river.
A city famous for its luxurious thermal baths, visitors flock to memorable sites such as the Great Market Hall, Parliament Building and Heroes' Square.
Mention Budapest to an avid football fan, however, and they might tell you all about Ferencvaros or regale you with the story of the Mighty Magyars.
They might mention that it was the homeplace of icons like Ferenc Puskas and Sandor Kocsis or, if they really know their stuff, the fact that the classic football film was filmed there.
Football is imbued in the city’s history and, thanks to the state-of-the-art Puskas Arena, it has now become a destination for some of the biggest games in Europe, including the 2023 Europa League final and a number of games at Euro 2020.
🏟 Visiting the Puskas Arena? Here's what to do in Budapest
GOAL8Wellington 🇳🇿
Nestled at the southern tip of New Zealand’s North Island, peering over the Cook Strait, lies the nation’s capital, Wellington.
A compact, yet diverse city with a cosmopolitan feel, it is widely regarded as a cradle of culture and creativity. With good reason, too.
There is no shortage of Oscar winners, for example, with the likes of Peter Jackson and Taika Waititi hailing from the city, while a vibrant cafe scene – they say this is where the flat white was perfected, if not invented – has blossomed to the point where it now has more coffee shops per capita than New York City.
Film buffs will be aware that Wellington is where films such as Lord of the Rings and Avatar were produced, and it is unique from a sporting perspective in that it is home to the A-League’s only representative team from New Zealand: Wellington Phoenix.
There will be an unprecedented buzz in Wellington this summer, as Phoenix’s Sky Stadium will host a number of games at the Women’s World Cup, including a crunch clash between behemoths USWNT and the Netherlands.
Check out the must-see New Zealand cities hosting games at the Women's World Cup!
GOAL7Sydney 🇦🇺
Known as The Emerald City, Sydney truly is the jewel in Australia’s crown, with an effervescent social scene, a breathtaking coastline that is famous for its surf and deep cultural resonances extending throughout the region and beyond.
The capital of New South Wales, it is home to Port Jackson, the biggest natural harbour in the world, where the iconic Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge can be found.
Culture enthusiasts who visit Sydney will have their appetites sated by the city’s multitude of galleries and museums, while a thriving live music scene has spawned rock bands such as AC/DC and Wolfmother.
Sydney is a famously sporting city too, with cricket, rugby union and Australian rules football among the most popular sports, while football has grown impressively over the past few decades thanks to the efforts of teams like Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers, along with A-League and Football Australia.
Indeed, 2023 will see the city lay on a veritable football feast, with the awesome 83,000-seater Stadium Australia hosting the Women’s World Cup final in August. You won’t want to miss that!