Best Football Games for Families

Football is an experience and a shared passion that brings people of all ages together. That’s one thing about football that sets it apart from other sports. As a matter of fact, this is why it’s the most famous sports type in the world, and it is a no-brainer, considering its effect on people. It doesn’t matter where you’re watching a football game from; the sport has a way of creating long-life memories.

Another thing about football is that it’s arguably the best family sport (well, that’s if everyone in the family supports the same team, which is very unlikely). For ages, families have imbibed the football culture in their kids at early stages, with some famous brothers like the Nevilles going on to make their family name one of the most famous in English football.

Football is a fun way to spend family time together, so it's important to pick the right games to create an electrifying atmosphere. This article explores some of the best football games for families, from high-profile Premier League matches to exciting international games like the UEFA Champions League or the FIFA World Cup. By the end of this guide, you’ll have learned which football games are perfect for families, so stick with us till the end!

What Makes a Football Game Ideal for Families?

As implied earlier, football is a sport that’s famous for bringing people together. The shared passion is something that can’t be replicated in other sports. Imagine your team scoring a last-minute winner, and you’re in the stands yelling at a stranger and hugging them because you guys support the same team. The feeling is incomparable, and every football fan must feel it.

However, not every game is suitable for families. You must do your due diligence to determine which football match is perfect for a little family football trip, especially when kids are involved. An ideal family-friendly football game transcends just the on-pitch action. It’s about the entire matchday experience, from the facilities for children to other family-friendly perks you can enjoy at the game.

Atmosphere

The atmosphere is the most important factor when picking the ideal family-friendly game. Regardless of the children’s age range or the inclusion of adults in your football trip, the perfect atmosphere can make all the difference in setting the mood for the game.

Some games are considered too emotional because of the rivalry, which can get some fans carried away. In these types of games, you hear aggressive chants and witness rowdy behaviors. They are not family-friendly. You want to pick a game whose atmosphere can help you and your family relax.

Don’t get it wrong. Not all historic rivalries produce these heated moments. For example, the Merseyside derby featuring Liverpool and Everton was once named the “family derby” because it was peaceful, and most families in the town supported both teams. History also has it that it was one of the few derbies that didn’t enforce fans' segregation to avoid conflicts.

Safety and Accessibility

When choosing the ideal game for your family, you must select a stadium that fully ensures your family’s safety. If safety is not a priority, there’s nothing like a good game, so this must be at the top of your list. Always choose a game with a well-organized stadium and clear security measures.

Some stadiums offer family zones with reduced noise levels, easier restroom access, and priority seating. You can book a spot in this special zone to make the trip more comfortable and enjoyable for your family. This will make you enjoy the game without worrying about your children’s comfort or long restroom trips.

Entertainment Value

There’s one special thing about football, and that’s the fact that you can have it all. You can enjoy a good atmosphere, safety, and accessibility while engaging in fast-paced action and exciting gameplay without compromise. Although safety and atmosphere must be prioritized, you don’t have to give up the entertainment value, which defeats the purpose of going to a stadium to watch a game in the first place.

Always pick a game from teams known for their high-energy style, like Liverpool and Manchester City in England, Juventus and Inter Milan in Italy, Real Madrid and Barcelona in Spain, or PSG and Olympique Marseille in France. Picking a high-energy game will keep everyone entertained, as it’s mostly fast-paced action from the first minute to the last with plenty of goals.

History and Rivalries

Again, you want to pick a game with a history so you can have enough to discuss with your family while the game is going on. Picking a rivalry game is amazing, but try to choose one of the non-violent games like the Manchester Derby, Merseyside Derby, or the De Klassieker (Ajax vs Feyenoord) in the Netherlands.

The narrative behind a game can add more dynamics, and what’s a better way to enjoy a football match than having things to discuss, such as legendary players, iconic stadiums, and the historical significance of the rivalry?

Top Family-Friendly Games to Attend

Several football games are held every season, but choosing the right family-friendly match can be a hassle. This part of the article breaks down some of the best family-friendly football games across major leagues and international tournaments, considering stadium quality, infrastructure, fans, atmosphere, and history.

Premier League

• Merseyside Derby (Liverpool vs Everton): The Merseyside Dery has maintained a reputation as one of the most famous rivalries in English football. However, unlike other nasty rivalries in the country, the Merseyside Derby has maintained a peaceful outlook over the years, even earning itself the name “family derby” for its family-friendliness and friendly atmosphere. The rivalry may be historic, but it’s one of the best games for families because many local families attend it together, some of which support both clubs. Also, don’t let the peaceful outlook fool you. This derby has produced some of the best Premier League games over the past few decades, including a dramatic 2-2 draw in February 2025, which saw James Tarkowski score a late goal to snatch a point for Everton. The match also saw both teams end the game with ten men.
• North London Dery (Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur): Although it has been one-sided lately due to Arsenal’s rise and Tottenham’s consistently mediocre performance, the North London Derby remains a must-watch fixture for any football-loving family. Like the Merseyside Derby, the North London Derby is not as nasty as other rivalries in England, which makes it an amazing option for families. Besides the fast-paced action, the perk of this rivalry is the Emirates Stadium. It boasts one of the best family zones in England, making it an amazing choice for families. The club’s stadium policies will also help maintain order during the game and guarantee your safety.
• Any Brighton & Hove Albion Game: Brighton & Hove Albion is said to be one of the most family-friendly clubs in the Premier League because of its community-oriented programs, including special ones for children. The club has an amazing reputation for welcoming young fans, which will be ideal for your children before and after the game. According to Full on Sport, the club has Young Seagulls, a supporter group for children that provides special offers like meeting players, enjoying children-friendly games, and many more. Also, the Amex Community Stadium has one of the best family zones in the country.

La Liga

• FC Barcelona Games:The Spotify Camp Nou stadium is one of the best grounds in football, having hosted some of the most iconic matches and the former home to arguably the best player in football history, Lionel Messi. Simply put, everything about FC Barcelona screams history, which must be experienced by every football fan, even if you’re not a fan of the club. The Catalans went through a rough patch for a few seasons but seem to be on their feet again after finding consistency under Hansi Flick, who won a treble with Bayern Munich in 2020. The club is famous for its tiki-taka style of play, which will make the trip more enjoyable because of the football brand that is played in the stadium. There’s also an option to explore the newly renovated ground, which will be fully opened to the public in 2026.
• The Madrid Derby: Okay, this is an odd one. Real Madrid is the most successful club in the world, and its encounters with rivals Atletico Madrid are among the most heated in Spanish football. However, there’s a reason this fixture is perfect for families, especially the ones with deep football roots. Real Madrid always prioritizes young fans. The club has programs that allow children to meet their boyhood heroes, and we can all agree the Whites have some of the best and most talented players in the world. If you choose the right stadium tour package, you can check out the club’s rich trophy room with the kids, which includes 15 UCL titles and numerous domestic trophies. The Madrid Derby may be one of the fierce rival games in the world, but you can always bet on safety, especially when the game is played at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Bundesliga

• The Klassiker (Borussia Dortmund vs FC Bayern Munich): The Klassiker is the biggest football showdown in Germany as it involves the two most successful clubs in the country. While the rivalry may be historic, the atmosphere during these games is always welcoming for families. Borussia Dortmund’s home ground offers several perks for families, such as a chance to watch the biggest game in Germany in the best environment possible for children. Sadly, due to the game’s intensity, you may encounter some heavy and nasty chants, which is why it’s best to avoid the stadium’s South Stand (Yellow Wall), as it’s known as one of the fiercest fans’ sections in football. When watching a football game with family, always try to book seats in designated family zones.
• FC Schalke 04 vs Borussia Dortmund: FC Schalke 04 may be languishing in Germany’s second division. However, if you get a Ruhr Derby game between Schalke and Borussia Dortmund in a friendly or DFB-Pokal, it’s an exciting match to watch with your family. Apart from being a historic rivalry, the Ruhr Derby provides the perfect atmosphere for an ideal family football trip. 

International Tournaments and Friendlies

• FIFA World Cup Matches:No international tournament is as family-friendly as the FIFA World Cup. It’s the only football event that brings the whole world together, so it’s an amazing option for family-friendly football trips. FIFA always puts extra effort into making the World Cup a proper event, even for families, and host countries do not always disappoint. It’s a great experience to enjoy with your family because it’s a mix of cultures and special programs for young fans. There’s no better way to make a child love the game than giving them a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to watch a World Cup match live from the venue.
• UEFA Champions League Matches: The UEFA Champions League is the biggest club football tournament, and while tickets are hard to come by, especially in the tournament’s latter stages, like the semi-finals and the final, the experience is usually unforgettable. It’s the only time (besides pre-season friendlies) you get to watch the best teams in Europe lock horns for the most coveted title on the continent. When buying tickets to watch Champions League matches with your family, always get packages with family-friendly seating and hospitality options.

Alternative Ways to Enjoy Football as a Family

While attending a live football match is an unforgettable experience, the truth is it may not always be possible due to the cost of tickets and what it may cost to cover the entire family football trip. Thankfully, there are alternative ways to enjoy football as a family, some of which we’ve highlighted below:

Watching Games at Home

The most economical way to watch a football game is at home. This saves you a lot of money that would otherwise have been spent on booking tickets, traveling (in some cases), and other expenses. This is in addition to the stress of planning a football trip for an entire family, prioritizing the kids’ safety and comfort, and ensuring they enjoy the trip.

While doing these things is great, you can still enjoy a football match at home if you try to make it enjoyable for everyone. You can set the mood by eating snacks while watching the game. You can also teach your kids the history of the match in question without any noise except the one from the TV, which you have total control over.

Attending Local or Youth Matches

Attending local or youth matches may be the best option if you insist on getting the stadium atmosphere without spending too much. You get a glimpse of youth football, where you watch an unadulterated display of talent. The kids may even find this option more relatable because they’re closer in age to youth players than professionals.

Conclusion

Football has an incredible way of bringing people together, whether attending a live game, watching at home, or playing the sport in the yard. The first step to making football trips memorable is understanding that a great football experience is all about the shared excitement, traditions, and lifelong memories created.

One way to guarantee this incredible experience is to choose the right football games to watch. Some football games have the best atmospheres and offer families amazing perks, which can make the entire trip unforgettable for everyone involved.

This article discusses some of the best football games for families across different leagues and tournaments. Even if attending a live match isn’t possible, watching these games at home can do the trick if you set the mood right. At the end of the day, football is about connection, so make it an exciting experience for you and your family by picking the best football games to watch!