Every football fan already owns the shirt, the mug and the scarf. What they do not have is a seat at the match. A ticket is the one football gift that never ends up in a drawer.
Here are ten gift ideas for footie fans, covering Premier League games around Christmas and Champions League nights at home and abroad. Each card shows today's lowest price on Tix Choice.
Premier League tickets for the festive period
1.Arsenal vs Manchester United, 20 December
Sun 20 Dec 2026 · Emirates Stadium, London
The headline fixture of the Christmas run-in, at the Emirates.
From £288
2.Fulham vs Brighton, Boxing Day
Sat 26 Dec 2026 · Craven Cottage, London
Boxing Day football by the Thames at Craven Cottage. A true festive tradition.
From £110
3.Crystal Palace vs Manchester United, 13 December
Sun 13 Dec 2026 · Selhurst Park, London
A Sunday evening game under the lights at Selhurst Park.
From £119
4.Arsenal vs Bournemouth, 13 December
Sun 13 Dec 2026 · Emirates Stadium, London
A more affordable way to give Arsenal game tickets.
From £155
5.Fulham vs Brentford, 12 December
Sat 12 Dec 2026 · Craven Cottage, London
A west London derby and the best-value pick on this list.
From £78
6.Tottenham vs Arsenal, 6 December
Sun 6 Dec 2026 · Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London
The north London derby as an early Christmas present.
From £183
Champions League tickets
7.Aston Villa vs Paris Saint-Germain, 8 December
Tue 8 Dec 2026 · Villa Park, Birmingham
A European giant at Villa Park.
From £174
8.Arsenal vs Borussia Dortmund, 24 November
Tue 24 Nov 2026 · Emirates Stadium, London
A Champions League night in north London.
From £181
The big one: a European away trip
9.Barcelona vs Manchester City, 8 December
Tue 8 Dec 2026 · Camp Nou, Barcelona
A Champions League night at Camp Nou, paired with a city break.
From £325
10.Real Madrid vs PSV Eindhoven, 24 November
Tue 24 Nov 2026 · Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
The Bernabéu is a bucket-list stadium for any fan.
Which game to choose
Most fans would rather see their own team in an ordinary league game than a neutral classic, so start with the club. After that, the opponent sets the price. In Tix Choice price data from November 2026, the typical cheapest ticket when two of the traditional big six met was £221, against £124 for every other match. A home game against a mid-table side gets someone into the same ground for far less.
Think about the day as well as the fixture. A Saturday three o'clock kick-off suits a family. A midweek European night under the lights feels like more of an occasion. Boxing Day and New Year games are a tradition for many supporters, and they sell quickly for that reason.
Giving a European away trip
A Champions League night abroad is the biggest present on this list, and it needs a little more planning.
- Wait for the date. European fixtures are set well ahead, but domestic games either side can move for television. Book flexible flights and hotels.
- Expect late delivery. Tickets for matches abroad are often released close to the game. Sellers may send them to a phone a day or two before, or deliver them to your hotel. The listing says which.
- Take ID. Some tickets are collected in person near the stadium, and you may be asked for photo ID.
- Buy in the right section. Home-section tickets are for home fans. If the person you are buying for supports the visiting team, look for listings marked as the away section.
What goes under the tree
The order confirmation arrives by email as soon as you book, and that is what most people give on the day. The ticket itself is usually sent 24 to 48 hours before kick-off. Print the confirmation, write the fixture and date on the card, and tell them not to make plans for that weekend.
A last-minute gift for your husband
Match tickets work well as a late purchase because most are delivered to a phone. If Christmas is days away:
- Pick a game after Christmas. A January or February fixture gives the seller time to transfer the tickets.
- Buy two. Half the gift is going together.
- Wrap a clue. A scarf or a matchday programme under the tree, with the confirmation in the card.
How to buy football tickets as a gift
- Choose the team first, then the game. Lower-profile opponents cost far less than derbies.
- Compare sellers. Prices differ across ticket sites, and Tix Choice lists them together.
- Check the seats. Make sure they are in the home section and next to each other.
- Read the reviews. Our ticket site reviews cover the main sellers.
Find more games on the Premier League and Champions League tickets pages.
Football ticket gift FAQs
Can I buy a football ticket as a gift?
Yes. The order is in your name and the tickets are sent to you, usually as mobile tickets that you pass on or use together on the day. Buying two and going with them is the simplest way.
Will the ticket arrive before Christmas?
The order confirmation will, as soon as you book. Match tickets are normally sent 24 to 48 hours before kick-off, so for a game in January the ticket arrives in January.
How do I know the seats are in the home section?
Listings are for home sections unless they say otherwise, and away-section tickets are labelled. Check the listing before you buy, and choose the section that matches the team they support.
What if the match date changes?
Your ticket stays valid for the new date and time. Premier League fixtures are often moved for television, so check the date again nearer the match.
Is it safe to buy football tickets online?
Tix Choice lists established, vetted sellers that back their tickets with a buyer guarantee. Our ticket site reviews explain what each seller's guarantee covers.