Soccer. Some of the millions of American kids running around on vast, green fields every Saturday play only for the oranges at halftime. Understandable, as oranges are delicious. But, some kids play for love of the game. With each perfect cross or diving save, they get a sense of why so many people across the globe are so passionate about the sport. If they want to watch and learn from the pros they can watch Major League Soccer (MLS), but while David Beckham may have brought his bending free kicks to the United States, MLS still has a long way to go before attaining the skill level of leagues across Europe. For fans of all ages, a soccer tour of Europe is the best way to experience the Beautiful Game at its finest.

Since there are hundreds of professional club teams across the continent, such a tour can be confusing. The club season runs from August until the following May, with most clubs playing in several different competitions throughout the year. If you’re planning your first soccer-focused visit to Europe, build your itinerary around the best of the best (with apologies to fans of all other clubs): Manchester United and Arsenal in England’s Premier League and Real Madrid and FC Barcelona in Spain’s Primera Liga.

• A museum at Old Trafford displays the triumphs of Manchester United F.C.
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These four clubs, with long histories and dedicated fans, are sure to provide a memorable soccer experience. A note on safety: each club’s stadium is given, or is in consideration for, a Union of European Football Association (UEFA) Five Star rating that includes strict safety and security requirements. These stadiums, along with most other major venues, are as safe as any in the United States.

Manchester United

Start your tour in Manchester, England, home of perhaps the most famous franchise in the world, Manchester United. Winner of five Premier League championships in the last decade, the club plays its home games at Old Trafford, known as the Theatre of Dreams, the largest club stadium in England. Longtime manager Sir Alex Ferguson guided the team to the most successful year in English soccer history during the 1998-99 season with championships in the Premier League, Football Association (FA) Cup and UEFA Champions League, a feat called “The Treble.” Thanks to this accomplishment, he was knighted for his services to English soccer; that’s how serious England takes its soccer.

• Young English football (soccer) fans show their spirit.
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With a massive global following, game tickets are difficult to come by. However, the club does offer special “Dream Break” packages combining game tickets, hotel accommodations, tours of the stadium, museum and discount vouchers for meals and shopping. “Match Day” packages combine game tickets and discount vouchers for meals and shopping. With several different price options, this is your best bet to assure you get to see a match. Match Day packages begin at £69 (about $137), while Dream Break packages can run £200 (about $396) and up. If a game doesn’t fit into your schedule, you can still visit Old Trafford and take the museum and stadium tour on non-match days. Go inside the locker rooms and look out onto the pitch from the players’ tunnel. You can book online, and it’s best to do so well in advance. Tickets for the museum and tour are £10 (about $20) for adults and £7 (about $14) for children. Package prices for families of four and five are £30 (about $59) and £35 (about $69), respectively.

Arsenal

To the south, another Premier League powerhouse, Arsenal, plays in the new Emirates Stadium in London. Opened in July 2006, the stadium offers comfortable seating and an abundance of amenities, although some Arsenal supporters may still wax nostalgic for their cramped but historic old home, popularly known as Highbury. In 2003-04, the club won the Premiership undefeated, ultimately stretching their winning streak to a record 49 matches.

Tickets, once again, are difficult to come by, with club members demanding most of those available. However, like United, the club offers “Arsenal Match Breaks,” the official match ticket and accommodations package. Packages start at £114 (about $227) and include game tickets, hotel accommodations, a tour of the stadium and a visit to the Arsenal Museum. Make sure to book as soon as possible, as these packages sell out months in advance. If you can’t make it to a match, the Legends Tour offers not only a behind the scenes look at the stadium, but the accompaniment of a past Arsenal player. Tour prices are £35 for adults and £18 for children under 16 years (about $69 and $36, respectively). Children under 5 years old are admitted free of charge when accompanied by a parent.