An international football game only comes around once every few years for a given team, which is exactly why it's worth treating differently from a normal road trip. The game is the excuse. The trip is the point.
This guide walks through planning one yourself, in the order the decisions actually need to be made: picking the destination, sorting your passport, understanding how tickets work abroad, booking flights and a hotel, and knowing what to expect once you're there. And if you'd rather not deal with any of it, that's exactly what Big Game Travel is for.
Start With the Destination, Not Just the Game
International football schedules currently rotate through a handful of cities that regularly host games abroad: London, Munich, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, and Mexico City. Which city you're headed to depends entirely on your team's international slate for the year, so the first real planning step is simply confirming where your team is playing and building the trip around that city.
Because these games happen so rarely for any one team, most fans treat the destination as a real vacation rather than a quick in and out, with extra nights, sightseeing, and group events built around the game rather than squeezed in before a flight home.
If you'd rather skip the research: Big Game Travel's international lineup already maps to the confirmed matchups, so you can see which city pairs with your team's game in one place.
Handle Your Passport First. It Has the Longest Lead Time.
This is the step people leave too late. Before you book anything, check that your passport is valid through your travel dates. Many countries require at least six months of validity beyond your trip, and passport or renewal processing can take weeks.
If you don't have a passport yet, or yours is close to expiring, start that process before you lock in dates. Everything else on this list can be planned in days. A passport renewal can't.
Worth knowing: passport and visa costs aren't included in package pricing anywhere in the industry, so budget for them separately whether you book independently or not.
Expect a Different Ticket Timeline Abroad
International ticketing runs on a different schedule than domestic games. Tickets are commonly released the week of the event rather than months in advance. If you're planning a year out, that gap is normal and not a sign that something has gone wrong.
Buying independently means watching for that release and competing for inventory on the day. It's doable, but it's the least predictable part of planning one of these trips.
If you book a package: your ticket is secured at the time of booking even though delivery still happens close to the game. Base packages typically include upper-level seating, with upgrade options available.
Book Flights and a Place to Stay
Next you'll have to look into booking your flights. Booking independently gives you full control over routing, dates, and points redemption, and it lets you add days on either side of the game. The tradeoff is coordinating your own arrival with everyone else you're traveling with.
Book lodging early. Host cities fill around these games the way a Super Bowl fills a host city, and the closer you want to be to the venue, the sooner it goes.
If you book a package with Big Game Travel, you choose between an airfare-included package, which bundles roundtrip flights and transfers so your whole travel party lands and departs together, and a land-only package, which covers the hotel, ticket, and gameday logistics while you book your own flights. Land-only suits you if you'd rather use points or extend your stay. Trip lengths are usually flexible, commonly from around 4 nights up to 9 or more.
If You Book a Package with Big Game Travel, Here's What Happens Next
- The deposit holds your spot, commonly in the $300 to $500 range depending on the trip
- A short questionnaire follows, covering traveler names as they appear on your passport, rooming preferences, and any flight or upgrade requests
- Your personalized invoice with final pricing and payment dates gets built around your answers
Deposits are non-refundable, and payments generally can't be refunded once received, which is exactly why travel insurance is worth considering for an international booking, especially one you're locking in a year or more out. If your plans change and you can't attend, a package can often be transferred to someone else in your place.
A Few Logistics Worth Planning For
Luggage generally follows standard airline policy. Plan on one carry-on and one checked bag per traveler unless your airline says otherwise.
Rideshare and taxis can be less reliable near international venues than at US stadiums, which is worth building into your gameday timing. Packages typically include transportation for this reason.
International venues may not offer the same level of ADA accessibility as US stadiums, and some walking or independent mobility may be required between activities. It's worth checking with the venue directly, or flagging with your trip leader if you're traveling with a group.
There are no official team-hosted parties abroad, so traveling fans tend to find each other at organized welcome events rather than at anything the league puts on.
Work With Big Game Travel to Plan Your Trip
Planning an international football trip is entirely doable on your own, but it's a lot of moving parts to track for a game that only comes around once every few years for your team. If you'd rather hand off the passport timeline, the ticket delivery uncertainty, and the city logistics, that's what a package is built for: a secured ticket, a hotel already sorted, gameday transportation handled, and a trip leader on the ground the whole time. Whether you're planning this one yourself or ready to book, we're here to make your trip abroad as smooth as it is memorable.
International Football Trip FAQs
How far in advance should I book an international football trip?
As early as you can once your team's international matchup and city are confirmed. Passport processing, if you need it, takes the longest, so start there. Ticket delivery often doesn't happen until the week of the game, which is normal for international matchups.
Do I need a visa to attend an international football game?
It depends on your destination and passport, so check current entry requirements for the specific country before booking. Passport and visa costs aren't included in package pricing.
Should I book my own flights or take an airfare-included package?
Either works. An airfare-included package keeps your whole group on the same flights and takes one thing off your plate. Booking your own is a better fit if you'd rather use points, already have flights, or want flexibility around your travel dates.
What's included in the deposit, and is it refundable?
Your deposit reserves your spot on the trip and starts the planning process, with a questionnaire and personalized invoice to follow. Deposits are non-refundable, and we'd recommend travel insurance for added peace of mind on an international booking.
Is it harder to get around at international venues?
It can be. Rideshare and taxis are sometimes less reliable near venues abroad than at US stadiums, which is why gameday transportation is typically built into international packages rather than left for travelers to sort out on arrival.
See Where Your Team Is Playing Abroad
Right now, Big Game Travel's international lineup runs through London, Munich, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, and Mexico City, with new trips added as matchups are confirmed. Browse the current list to see which city pairs with your team's game this year.