Saudi Arabia has been a hot topic in the footy world the last several years. Big name signings. Premier League team ownership. World Cup 2034 hosting. But what is the football scene in Saudi Arabia actually like? In this episode, Colin sits down with Lee Galvin of Matchstay, who traveled to Jeddah and Riyadh to experience the Saudi Pro League for himself. From the myths and misconceptions to the world-class players, matchday vibes, and the impact of a no-alcohol culture, Lee shares how it compares to Europe—and why more fans might want to see it for themselves.

Foot(y)notes:

• Saudi Arabia’s World Cup 2034 promotional website: https://saudi2034.com.sa/
  
  
• Get a more Saudi perspective on the Saudi Pro League with the recent Netflix series: https://www.netflix.com/title/81783473
  
  
• …or just watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ivIYBD4tfQ
  
  
• Despite no alcohol, Saudi fans can still get rowdy and aggressive—Saudi style! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4K0z23ppOkE
  
  
• More info on the Saudi university program Lee mentioned: https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20151208190817896

04:37 | The inspiration (and price) for a trip to Saudi

07:48 | Saudi geography and Pro League teams

11:01 | Saudi stadiums and matchday atmosphere

16:06 | The alcohol myth busted

19:11 | Getting to the game and navigating around Saudi Arabian cities

25:57 | The hardest thing to deal with as a Westerner

32:35 | Out of grounds options in Saudi Arabia

38:42 | How to get tickets tothe Saudi Pro League

41:50 | Lee's other international footy travels

What if you built your own global football education—by leaving home, traveling across multiple continents, and going straight to the source? That's exactly what fellow footy traveler Andrew Baggaley, founder of Because Football Media did, as he spent more than a year exploring the globe, visiting football clubs, academies, and fan groups across Africa, Asia, South America, and Europe. Whether you're a traditional Premier League fan, a lover of fan culture, or curious about how the global game shapes lives off the pitch, this episode is for you.

03:55 | Prototyping Because Football in Paris at PSG

07:26 | Heading to Ivory Coast for AFCON

10:32 | Connecting with Independiente, River Plate, & Racing Club

15:44 | Why Port Vale? And... who...is Port Vale exactly?

17:48 | Eastern Europe on the way to the Far East

20:23 | Comparing footy cultures across Southeast Asia

25:33 | What the world taught Andrew about American soccer

32:27 | The first ever soccer game in the US

35:49 | Coming Soon: The "Road Trip to the World Cup" Series

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On September 11, 2001, American journalist and fellow footy traveler Ken McDonald was thousands of miles from home—at Anfield, watching Liverpool play Boa Vista in the Champions League. In this powerful conversation, Ken shares what it was like to learn about the 9/11 attacks while abroad, how Scousers responded, and the story behind an unforgettable, homemade tifo that made the highlight reels that night. He also reflects on what truly makes footy traveling so meaningful—and spoiler: it’s not what you think.

00:29 | Ken's notable background

03:28 | Liverpool vs Boa Vista in the Champions League

07:57 | "The Kop stands with our friends in America"

15:49 | Flying back to America

20:05 | Why Ken doesn't process 9/11 like most Americans

24:17 | Traveling thousands of miles for 2 hours of sport? Worth it!

26:06 | Ken's sales pitch for lower league football

31:37 | Footy scran

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Don't miss our monthly newsletter for footy // travel news from every corner of the globe

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Join us on one of our trips (our next one is to Mexico City)!

The first sales window for tickets to the 2026 World Cup consists of an application period that opens on September 10th and closes on September 19th (2025), and there's a major change to the process this time around. In this episode, we'll break down the 5 biggest things you need to know to be prepared to score tickets to the world's greatest sporting event!

00:00 | Catcing up on 2025

09:15 | Question 1: HOW does Phase 1 of World Cup 2026 ticket sales actually work?

12:20 | Question 2: WHEN does Phase 1 of World Cup 2026 ticket sales happen?

13:04 | Question 3: WHO can apply for World Cup 2026 tickets during Phase 1?

14:12 | Question 4: HOW does FIFA notify successful Phase 2 applicants?

14:52 | Question 5: WHEN can I actually buy World Cup 2026 match tickets?

20:13 | Predictions on further Phase 1 details and additional sales phases

26:35 | Recommendations for how to approach World Cup 2026 tickets sales

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Sign up for our monthly newsletter for footy // travel news from every corner of the globe

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Join us on one of our trips (our next one is to Mexico City)!

When the dog bites, when the bee sti— Oooh! Eh ehm. Excuse us. Didn’t see you there. Just warming up the vocal chords for our 2024 FAVORITE THINGS EPISODE!!!

Comment on our recently pinned Instagram or X posts to let us know what you think about our picks, your favorites, or any footy travel suggestions you have for us in 2025!

Foot(y)notes:

Here are some of our favorite things worth checking out ASAP…

• Jimmy Rees Instagram Reel on “The Guy Who Decides the Premier League”

• “Once In a Lifetime” on YouTube (by Eli Mengem and Copa 90)

• “Welcome to Wrexham” on FX

• The Mobile Passport app from US Customs and Border Patrol

02:43 | Mike has an offer

05:39 | Mike gives the rundown

07:33 | TOP 5 Matches & Travel Experiences - COLIN

15:02 | TOP 5 Matches & Travel Experiences - MIKE

25:47 | TOP 4 Media & Content Pieces - COLIN

35:31 | TOP 4 Media & Content Pieces - MIKE

46:53 | TOP 3 Travel Tips & Lessons Learned - COLIN

51:01 | TOP 3 Travel Tips & Lessons Learned - MIKE

58:10 | TOP 2 Things to look forward to in 2025 - MIKE

01:00:41 | TOP 2 Things to look forward to in 2025 - COLIN

01:03:49 | BIGGEST 2024 Takeaway - MIKE

01:08:25 | BIGGEST 2024 Takeaway - COLIN

Think having your honeymoon covered by your favorite football club is nothing but a pipe dream? Well wake up and listen to this special BONUS episode, where we sit down with Matthew Eide from Far Away Football (check out Ep 73 if you missed his other incredible stories!) to reveal how he scored an all-expenses-paid getaway to the Seychelles, courtesy of Manchester City and their corporate powerhouse sponsor. And don’t forget to leave us a rating and review if you’re as amazed by his story as we are!

Watch the story unfold, including the moment Matthew & Liz discover the Premier League Champions trophy in their suite.

*RATE & REVIEW*

Wherever you're listening, be sure to hit 'Follow' or 'Subscribe', leave us a star-rating, and if you're listening on Apple Podcasts, leave us a proper review to let others know what you think of the show!

*JOIN US ON OUR NEXT TRIP*

Head to FootyTravelers.com to learn more about our UK trip in November/December and how you can join us on all the footy travel adventure we have planned! Or hop directly onto the waitlist.

Fellow footy travelers experience the game outside their hometowns all the time, but have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a globe-trotting footy fan with multiple once-in-a-lifetime experiences? In this episode, Matthew Eide of Far Away Football takes us on an absolute journey! From a 10-goal spectacle in a Bhutanese stadium fit for a king, to two unforgettable footy moments in the Seychelles, this is one episode you won’t want to miss. With professional soccer connections stretching as far as the Solomon Islands, Matthew might even have a surprise for you at the end of this one (wink wink)!

Foot(y)notes:

• SPOILER ALERT: If you want to listen to the BONUS Episode with Matthew before its release next week, simply head to footytravelers.com/podcast
  
  
• If you're planning a trip to Bhutan, know before you go.
  
  
• Show your love for the global game with an Icarus FC kit of your own!
  
  
• Follow Thimphu City FC on Instagram and tell them that you heard about them in this episode.

*RATE & REVIEW*

Wherever you're listening, be sure to hit 'Follow' or 'Subscribe', leave us a star-rating, and if you're listening on Apple Podcasts, leave us a proper review to let others know what you think of the show!

PLUS YOU CAN WIN A FOOTY TRAVELERS SWAG BAG...

If you email us (footytravelers@gmail.com) a screenshot of your recent review, and your mailing address, we'll send one your way!

Would you walk 500 miles just to be the man who walked 500 miles to see a footy match? Today’s guest would. In fact, he did! Join us as we talk with Tom Stoker, a Three Lions fan who marched from Manchester to Gelsenkirchen this past summer to witness England’s EURO 2024 opening match against Serbia at Arena AufSchalke (aka Veltins-Arena for sponsorship reasons). For more on Tom’s journey, check out his Instagram account.

04:41 | Getting to know Tom’s skill set(s)

08:08 | Walking across Wales

10:10 | The planning phase

12:44 | Tom’s long walk stats & countries visited

15:25 | “Tent” Alexander-Arnold

18:50 | But did Tom actually make it?!

23:17 | Tom goes full-kit wanker & a Kyle Walker appearance

27:04 | A Morrisons meal gone wrong

32:05 | Tom’s take on English fans

37:03 | Mike “walks” us into rapid fire

44:07 | Tom’s “Final” satisfaction

*RATE & REVIEW*

Wherever you're listening, be sure to hit 'Follow' or 'Subscribe', leave us a star-rating, and if you're listening on Apple Podcasts, leave us a proper review to let others know what you think of the show!

*JOIN US ON OUR NEXT TRIP*

Head to FootyTravelers.com to learn more about our UK trip in November/December and how you can join us on all the footy travel adventure we have planned! Or hop directly onto the waitlist.

*GEAR UP*

You can also head to FootyTravelers.com to visit our fan shop and gear up with limited edition jerseys and supporters scarves.

*This episode features music by The Proclaimers. All rights to the song are owned by The Proclaimers, and we do not claim any ownership over the copyrighted material.