G Adventures Launches "Away Games" Small-Group Sports Trips

To mark the launch of its new small-group sports travel series, Away Games, G Adventures has released new global research uncovering the full depth of that delightful obsession. The findings reveal that just over 6 in 10 (62%) fans have cried tears of pure joy over a win, half (50%)1 have wept over a loss, and 57%1 feel more like their true selves surrounded by fellow football fans than at work or with family.

When a trophy is on the line, logic takes a back seat with 45%  of fans admitting they would happily play hooky at work just to watch a major game. But, when a guaranteed league championship is on the line, the sacrifices get a little more long-term; 34% of fans would willingly give up alcohol for six months, nearly 30% (29%)  would ditch social media for a quarter of the year, and 24%  would happily shave their heads. As for avoiding the ultimate heartbreak of a rival taking the trophy? Fans would rather sit in a dentist’s chair (36%), do their taxes (29%), attend jury duty (29%) or get dumped via text (17%) than watch their team fall.

Yet behind the sacrifices lies a deeper human truth: football is a powerful cure for modern disconnection. Almost 70%1  of fans say the game gives them a vital sense of belonging and makes them feel less lonely, while three quarters (75%)1 have made friends with total strangers through the sport. Further proving the massive appetite for finding your people through travel, 64%1 per cent say they would jump on a trip with a group of strangers if they shared the same club colors.

Bucket-list dreams vs. ticket-scam scares: While the dream of travelling internationally for a match is alive, amplified by 69%1  of fans whose wanderlust was peaked by the recent 2026 World Cup, attending a match in an unfamiliar overseas city comes with friction points:

• 41%  fear getting scammed with fake reseller tickets

• 32%  are anxious about the language barrier

• 30%  fear navigating unfamiliar transit networks alone

• 30%  worry about accidentally wandering into hostile rival supporter pubs

• 18%  worry about accidentally buying seats in the opponent's home section

Instead of soaking in the pre-match electric energy, the solo or DIY sports traveller could spend a good portion of their trip stressed about logistics.

Enter Away Games: where fandom meets seamless travel: To bench that travel anxiety and turn it into the ultimate football pilgrimage, G Adventures has launched Away Games, a first-of-its-kind series of premium small-group itineraries that blend guaranteed, high-tier matchday tickets with deep local cultural immersion in some of Europe’s most iconic football capitals like London, Manchester, Madrid, and Barcelona.

And, for the 39%1 per cent of fans who’d sooner lose their passport than their final match ticket, there’s no need to panic. Each Away Games trip is led by a local, football-obsessed Chief Experience Officer (CEO), who acts as the ultimate facilitator, ticket-keeper, and insider guide. The program replaces unfamiliar anxiety and solo travel fears with guaranteed VIP or premium level seats, an exploration of local, neighborhood pubs, grassroots lower-league terrace matches, and a ready-made crew of like-minded fans.

“At G Adventures, we’ve always known that travel is about human connection, and there’s no community on Earth more passionate, emotional, and united than football fans,” said Yves Marceau, VP of Product at G Adventures.

“Our research shows fans crave that feeling of belonging, but booking a dream match abroad on your own can feel like a high-stakes gamble. Nobody wants to buy a fake ticket or end up in the wrong supporter section in a city they don't know. Away Games solves the pain points causing fans to hesitate. We handle the access, the logistics, and the safety, leaving fans free to experience the magic of the match alongside a built-in community.”

The Away Games lineup includes:

• Real Madrid: Pitch to Plaza - Built for the fan who wants to walk in the footsteps of European football royalty. Guests will experience a matchday at the iconic, newly renovated Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, complete with panoramic views of the pitch and access to the exclusive Bernabéu Market hospitality area for buffet dining. To capture the local club spirit, the group will take a walk to the historic Plaza de Cibeles celebration site where generations of Real Madrid faithful have celebrated major championships. The trip balances elite sports luxury with grassroots authenticity, featuring terrace tickets to a lower-division Spanish league match and a walking tapas and churros food tour through Madrid’s historic Old Town and Literary Quarter.

• Arsenal FC: The Pride of North London - Securing a seat at the Emirates Stadium is currently one of the hardest tasks in global sports, but this itinerary solves the ticket crisis by offering guaranteed, exclusive Club Level seating and full VIP lounge access. Fans will experience the buzzing, electric atmosphere of the title-contending Gunners at the absolute peak of their modern power. The trip blends this highly sought-after game-day experience with a relaxed, self-paced stadium tour, a guided local food market excursion, and a traditional afternoon on the terraces of a grassroots National League match.

• Chelsea FC: West London to Pitch City - This energetic West London getaway brings travellers face-to-face with the glittering, trophy-laden history of Stamford Bridge. The unmatched matchday experience includes pitchside access before kickoff, premium West Upper seating, a chef’s table dinner, and a complimentary bar shared with a Chelsea FC legend. Beyond the premium treatment, guests will explore the upscale culinary hotspots of West London and dive into the unfiltered passion of local supporter pubs and lower-league terraces where the cameras aren’t watching.

• FC Barcelona: The Pride of Catalonia – Designed for fans who want to feel the pulse of a city where football is inextricably woven into local identity. Guests will take their Category A level seats to watch Blaugrana play, paired with a behind-the-scenes stadium tour and an included local tapas and wine experience. The journey balances elite European football with grassroots passion, featuring a CEO-led walk to the historic Font de Canaletes celebration site on La Rambla, matchday tickets to a regional Spanish league fixture, and a guided culinary tour through the medieval streets of the Gothic Quarter and El Born.

• Manchester City: More Than Matchday - This itinerary offers a genuine Mancunian welcome and unforgettable memories at Etihad Stadium. Bypassing the public queues, fans will watch the tactical masterclasses of one of the world's most successful modern clubs from executive middle-tier seating, complete with premium access to 93:20 - the executive lounge aptly named as a nod to the club’s historic, title winning goal. The journey includes an immersive, state-of-the-art stadium tour featuring a virtual message from a club legend, and a walk through the famous glass tunnel. Outside the stadium gates, the trip celebrates Manchester’s legendary music and culinary culture with a deep dive into the Northern Quarter alongside a local guide.

• Manchester United: From the Stands to the Streets - This itinerary answers the ultimate bucket-list dream for global football fans by opening the doors to the "Theatre of Dreams." Guests will bypass the lengthy ballot lines to secure luxury padded seats in Old Trafford’s coveted North East Quadrant, and walk in the footsteps of United legends with visits to the dressing room, famous tunnel, and pitchside dugouts. Outside of the iconic stadium gates, fans will explore the rich industrial heritage of Manchester, exploring legendary supporter pubs alongside their CEO, and tasting the city's hidden culinary hotspots.

In a world that often feels disconnected, football remains one of the few global languages capable of turning complete strangers into lifelong friends in seconds. Away Games is built for the fans who want to hear the chants reverberate through the terraces, share a meal with local die-hards, and experience the heart of a city through its greatest passion, without having to risk a fake ticket or a lost passport along the way.

Away Games are on sale now with first departures starting in October, 2026, and running through May 2027. To view the full lineup of departures and lock in early access, visit gadventures.com.