2024: Our FAVORITE Things from an Unforgettable Year of Footy Traveling
By: The Footy Travelers
As the calendar flipped over to 2025, we found ourselves reflecting in our latest podcast episode, on a 2024 filled with moments that reaffirmed why we love what we do. From semi-final and championship matches with trophies on the line, to travel experiences that opened the door to new out-of-grounds experiences, 2024 was nothing short of extraordinary. With our passports safely back in their lockboxes (for now), iconic stadiums visited, and too many stories to tell, we’re thrilled to share our favorite memories and lessons learned from last year — and look forward to what lies ahead. So grab your favorite beverage (hot or cold), settle in, and join us as we look back “5-4-3-2-1 style” on an incredible year of footy travel.
Our (5) Favorite Matches & Travel Experiences
Looking back, it’s impossible to ignore how many unforgettable matches and travel moments shaped 2024. Each one reaffirmed our belief that soccer is about more than the game—it’s about the people it brings together and the experiences and community it creates.
Colin’s Highlights
For Colin, the year-end footy binge started off with a bang in Colorado Springs, where the Switchbacks secured the USL Championship title on home soil (well, turf). “It wasn’t just about the victory,” Colin recalls. “It was about the bond between the club and its community. Seeing their ‘All for the Springs’ ethos come to life was magical.” That sense of connection was weaved throughout his Top 5 Matches & Travel Experiences. Here’s his full list:
Colorado Springs Switchbacks’ USL Championship Win (Colorado Springs, CO) – Witnessing one of his local clubs’ 10th-anniversary victory was nothing short of incredible. The way the fans, both home and away, showed up for this game encapsulated everything we love about soccer’s energy and draw. It spoke volumes for the promise of USL’s success in the US moving forward.
Wrexham v Barnsley at the Racecourse Ground (Wrexham, Wales) – Experiencing the passion of the Wrexham fans in a classic, intimate British football stadium was surreal, especially as we follow their incredible story and current rise via the ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ documentary.
France v Poland at Signal Iduna Park (Dortmund, Germany) – Finally seeing the iconic Yellow Wall (or in this case “Blue Wall,” thanks to the French fans) in person, during the Euros no less, was truly unforgettable. Mbappe and Lewandowski goals, each from the spot, were a nice icing on the cake.
Germany v Denmark from Löwenbräukeller Beer Garden (Munich, Germany) – Watching Germany’s Round of 16 clash in a lively beer garden surrounded by Germans, a surplus of steins of German lager and hefeweizen, and a DJ pumping the crowd up between whistles, made for what might be one of the BEST out-of-stadium match atmospheres… in the world!
Pre-match Tailgate for Argentina v Canada’s Copa Semifinal (E. Rutherford, NJ) – In hindsight, the camaraderie and face-to-face connections with some of our closest fellow foot travelers—not to mention the last-minute travel decision that brought it all together—meant that this was probably the last enjoyable pre-match experience anyone had at Copa America 2024 (too soon?).
Mike’s Highlights
Mike’s top footy travel moments had a different rhythm but were no less impactful. His Top 5 list begins with a spirited day in D.C. (but like, the good kind), where we captured content for our American Outlaws Instagram takeover collaboration ahead of the USMNT v Colombia match. “Even though the game wasn’t our best showing, the day was full of connections and community.” Here’s the full list of Mike’s favorite matches and travel experiences from 2024:
USA v Colombia Pre-Copa Friendly (Washington, D.C.) – Our American Outlaws Instagram takeover, catching up with familiar US Soccer fans, and meeting a whole crew of new ones made this pre-Copa warmup match a standout, even if the game itself wasn’t stellar (confession: we left before it got too ugly).
Germany v Switzerland from a local pub (Frankfurt, Germany) – A solo adventure turned into a multi-national party with Swiss, German, and Dutch fans in a tiny local bar.
Multiple Portugal EURO 2024 matches (Portugal) – Watching Portugal vs. France on a mountaintop in Porto had to be the best one though, and was the perfect blend of travel and footy culture.
Flying Polaris Business-Class to London (United Airlines) – Mike’s first business-class experience was both luxurious and game-changing for long-haul travel. Starting your first day of a footy trip abroad feeling refreshed and energized? What kind of time travel sorcery is this?!
Chelsea Match at Stamford Bridge x2 (London, England) – Supporting the Blues at “The Bridge” twice this year was nothing short of exhilarating (Match 1 v Gent; Match 2 v Aston Villa). Getting to see them win decisively in two different competitions (Conference League and Premier League)… borderline euphoric.
Meeting famous and well-known die-hards form different countries is always a plus. Here we are with Belgium’s “oBelgix”.
The (4) Media Pieces That Made Our Year
In a year filled with sports-related media sensations like ‘Raygun’ (which, we did a podcast episode on… sort of), a few others in particular stood out for us. If you haven’t caught any of these soccer or travel fueled pieces of content yet, you’re welcome!
Colin’s Picks
Colin’s list of Top 4 Media and Content Pieces of 2024 starts off with a bit of stretch, but we know you won’t hold it against him.
Netflix’s “Under Pressure” (documentary on the USWNT’s Women’s World Cup journey) - Both nostalgic and personal, seeing yourself and your footy travel partners immortalized on-screen in a Netflix doc is pretty unforgettable.
The Sweeper (the second best footy-related podcast) - A treasure trove of offbeat global soccer stories for any footy traveler.
The entire Instagram page of Jimmy Rees (Australian comedian) - But specifically the comedic brilliance of his "The Guy Who Decides: The Premier League” and “Pasta or Football Player?” bits.
By far, however, the standout content of 2024 has to be Eli Mengem’s & Copa 90’s “Once in a Lifetime” docu series, which captured the soul of Argentina’s World Cup 2022 journey on the ground, as it happened… in Argentina. As Colin put it in the podcast, “It wasn’t just a documentary. It was a masterclass in storytelling and culture.”
Mike’s Picks
Mike’s media favorites blended entertainment and education. From the feel-good authenticity of a certain documentary to the insightful tips of an educational podcast, his picks reflect a love of discovery and community.
Welcome to Wrexham (FX documentary) – Not only did the series win an Emmy for Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program last year, its authenticity continues to resonate deeply with fans worldwide. Seeing “The Town” in real life and meeting some of the “characters” from the show during our trip to Wrexham this December makes it all that much more special.
Men in Blazers (also somehow the second best footy-related podcast) – While Mike generally finds MIB to be a perfect blend of humor, cultural relevance, and soccer fandom, it was the Noah Kahan episode that topped his list of Rog productions to applaud.
Exploring the National Parks (podcast) – Essential listening for travelers balancing nature with their footy adventures in the States United.
Classic Football Shirts (the kits, the store, everything they’re putting out) – Along with another instance of getting to see the real life version of something only previously seen on a screen, visiting their Manchester location was the visual and tactile sensory combination we didn’t know we needed. Their social media output can only do their incredible kit collection so much justice.
Their kits? Gold! Their own beer? GOLDer! Cold Gold?!
Lessons Learned: (3) Travel Tips for Footy Fans
Traveling as much as we did in 2024 meant learning or reaffirming several lessons (not learnings!) along the way. Here are three things we’ll each be taking into 2025:
Colin’s Tips
Save miles & points for the big trips – Airline miles and credit card points were the MVP(s) for last-minute flights and multi-continent summer touring this year.
Always inquire about cancellations – Being polite and persistent at busy venues can pay off, because there’s always a ‘no-show’..
Add stopovers – Portugal proved that stopovers are worth the effort, especially during tournaments.
Mike’s Tips
Don’t just add stopovers, get free ones! – Free layovers built into an airline’s itineraries, especially in scenic places like the Azores, are a no-brainer.
Early check-In is worth it – A few extra hours of rest can completely transform a trip. Even if there’s a fee, if it’s minimal, go for it.
Download CBP Mobile Passport – You don’t necessarily need to sign up (or pay for) Global Entry for smooth returns to the US. Breeze through customs with this free app—it’s like a cheat code for eligible travelers.
Looking Ahead: (2) Things We’re Excited for in 2025
This year feels like a blank canvas—a chance to paint new adventures (or re-paint tried and true ones) with bold, vibrant strokes. Too much metaphor? Sorry.
For Colin, 2025 is about creating more opportunities for and building deeper connections between those FFTs who fully embracing the Footy Travelers ethos.. “I’m excited about creating more ways for fellow travelers to connect with each other—whether that’s through organized trips or a new online platform,” he says. Closer to home in Colorado, he’s absolutely STOKED that Denver has landed an NWSL team, completing a bit of a pro soccer trifecta (MLS: Rapids; USL: Switchbacks & Hailstorm; NWSL: Denver…? Hmm, what exactly is this new team going to be called?)
Mike, ever the obsessed kit-head, is eager to design a new Footy Travelers jersey, potentially blending style with his own brand of storytelling. He’s also leaving space for spontaneity. “The world is our oyster this year,” he says. “I’m keeping the calendar open for fan suggestions and unexpected opportunities.”
Speaking of… got some suggestions? Share them here!
Our (1) Big Takeaway: Why 2024 Will Always Stand Out
In one word, “connections.”
For Colin, it was the year of connecting with people from past trips, travel, or podcast episodes—the year of who turning virtual friendships into real-life collaborations and meet-ups. And it was the year that marked ‘just the beginning’ of experiences like that. As he put it in our 2024 Wrapped episode, “From sharing beers with past podcast guests to creating unique experiences for other soccer fans, this year was all about building relationships.”
For Mike, among a few things, 2024 was about (re)discovering the US soccer scene. “From Knoxville to Colorado Springs, I saw how soccer is bringing people together across the country. It made me even more excited for what’s ahead, especially as we prepare for the 2026 World Cup.”
Fellow Footy Travelers (FFTs) — this is what it’s all about!
Meeting one of our podcast guests for the first time in real life.
Make 2025 Your Best Footy Year Yet!
Why wait for 2026 to bring the excitement, though? Sure, we’re already cooking up something epic for our World Cup 2026 travel plans, but we’re also planning to make 2025 a footy travel year to remember! If you’re hoping to warm up for FIFA’s ‘big show’ with your own unforgettable footy adventures, well… let’s help you make it happen!
Sign up for the *BRAND NEW* Footy Travelers Newsletter and stay in the loop on itinerary ideas, city-specific footy travel tips, and exclusive, curated trips we’re crafting for fellow footy travelers in late 2025. If you’re all about soccer, the incredible community it builds, and a little dash of the unexpected, this is your invitation to be part of the journey. Don’t miss out—sign up today!
(Disclosure: We sometimes ideate, draft, and/or refine content with the aid of artificial intelligence tools, and revise it to reflect our own personalities & intended message.)