We’re not going on our summer holidays.

Not for this year at least. But that certainly is not stopping many from planning for next year and beyond as we all crave that sunshine getaway.

So, as I have been looking at possible holiday destinations for myself, I started to think about the local football clubs in these popular summer hotspots. In this post, I have searched for 5 of the most popular places that Brits travel to on their holidays and have put together a brief overview of the local football team in that area.

When you’re next planning a nice beach getaway, or sipping cocktails in the sun, why not consider fitting in a local football game and enjoy an away day with a difference.

Enjoy and travel safe!

Sicily – Calcio Catania / S.S.D. Palermo

A beautiful part of the world which I visited fairly recently is the island of Sicily. A part of the world which is famous for many things; historical buildings, mouth-watering food, Mount Etna, beautiful beaches and scenery and even history of the mafia. However also on that list we could easily include football, as the island is home to 2 fairly decent Italian club sides, Calcio Catania and Palermo FC.

Both sides have their own unique history, as Catania have Serie D, C and B championships in their history, along with once being managed in 2011 by Diego Simeone and in 2012/13 earning their highest ever Serie A points tally. However, off-field issues have cost the club on several occasions, and in 2014/15 their owner admitted to match fixing allegations which led the club back to the 3rd tier where they currently sit in 6th place.

Arguably, the more dramatic of the two is SSD Palermo, who were reformed with that name just 1 year ago in 2019, due to financial irregularities which left the club in Serie D in which they recently finished 1st, meaning they will start next season in Serie C. Putting aside the massive issues off-field, the club have some serious footballing history in Italy. Their instantly recognisable pink kit will satisfy the hipster-esque craze for classic football shirts, and some of the names that have played for the club over the years include; Cavani, Dybala, Belotti, Ilicic, Pastore, Darmian and Barzagli to name but a few. With a record setting 17,000 fans in attendance for their Serie D game in September 2019, the atmosphere and fan support despite the off-field issues certainly still exists and if you are heading to that part of the world should be enjoyed.

Ibiza – UD Ibiza

To think immediately of holiday destinations, many Brits would go straight to the island of Ibiza. Famed for lively nightlife, beautiful beaches and impressive natural scenery, the island has been a popular destination for generations of tourists looking for the week away in the sunshine.

In Spain’s Segunda División B sit UD Ibiza, founded in 2015 to replace UD Ibiza-Eivissa, the club have a decent history in their very short existence. In 2017 they made it to Spain’s 4th tier before earning ‘administrative promotion’ in 2018 to now be playing in the 3rd tier of Spanish football. In just their 2nd season in the division, they have managed to finish 2nd in their group and if I’ve understood the system right, earning a play-off place. Arguably most impressively this season however, was their Copa Del Rey performance, as in their first ever entry in the competition, the club made it to the round of 32 where they very nearly beat Barcelona until the last 20 minutes and a saving brace from Antoine Griezmann.

There are certainly worse places to watch a game of football, as the hilly landscape provides a beautiful backdrop to live football. And they have occasionally asked a DJ to play in the stands which means you won’t even have to stop the party to enjoy the game.

Corfu – PAE Kerkyra

A frequently visited island off Greece’s north-west coast is Corfu. Known as the ’emerald island’ due to it’s green landscapes with millions of olive trees scattered around the area. For us Brits it provides the traditional party holiday destination across the islands nightlife options.

With regards to football on the island, look no further than AOK PAE Kerkyra. Founded in 2013 following a merger of AO Kerkyra and AO Kassiopi, the team currently play their games in the Super League 2, Greece’s 2nd tier of football. In the league’s first season since the restructured league, Kerkyra are currently 11th in the 12 team league, with only 1 win out of the 20 played before the suspension of the season.

The team have had some off-field issues which has impacted upon the club over the years, however on the beautiful Greek island, they offer up a live football experience in almost guaranteed sunshine. They can also boast they were also managed before the merger by former Watford manager Javi Garcia in 2011/12, so if that doesn’t convince you, I don’t know what will.

Las Vegas – Las Vegas Lights FC

Las Vegas, known for its casinos, entertainment and Elvis impersonator wedding ceremonies. But in 2017, owner Brett Lashbrook managed to figure out the pieces which brought Las Vegas Lights FC and football (or soccer if they insist) to the city.

In 2018, the team entered into the USL Championship, the USA’s 2nd division and finished 15th in the Western Conference, managing 8 wins, 7 draws and 19 losses. In their 2nd season, the club improved to finish in 13th and a better record showing steady signs of improvement. The team are currently managed by former Ipswich Town player Frank Yallop, who has managerial experience across North America, such as LA Galaxy, Chicago Fire and the Canadian national side.

I am happy to admit that I still don’t fully understand America’s approach to football leagues, with playoffs and franchises which seem alien to the traditional format we are used to across Europe, and haven’t actually watched a full game from the Lights. However, the main attraction to go to experience a game at Cashman Field, is the intense crowd atmosphere and focus on fan promotion and engagement, which turn the match into an actual experience. Even looking at the image below, it’s clear that this isn’t the usual atmosphere, many of us European fans would expect of US crowds, however that only tells part of the story. The club have used DJs in the stands during games, use 2 llamas as mascots which even get involved in team photos, have another mascot ‘Cash the Soccer Rocker’ who rides a Harley around the ground, encourage smoke bombs and many other ‘casino’ Vegas-esque promotional madness.

If you are heading to Vegas, I would certainly recommend leaving the Blue Man Group or David Copperfield show early and taking in this truly unique football ‘party’ experience.

Cornwall – Truro City F.C.

If you want a serene beach setting with all the comforts of home, then Cornwall is the perfect holiday destination. Should you be fortunate to book when the weather is good, you could almost be tricked into thinking you were abroad as you sit on one of Cornwall’s many, many beaches soaking up the sun. Holidaying in England is massively growing in popularity, and if you like to enjoy summer holidays slightly closer to home then I can certainly reccomend a trip to Kernow.

One of the things that amazes me about Cornwall, considering it’s population of over half a million people, and the massive popularity for the area, is the lack of a professional football club. In the 3,563 km² area of England, there isn’t a single professional football club, or any major pro footballing talent from the area (besides maybe former Stoke and West Ham player Matthew Etherington).

There may be many reasons for the lack of footballing interest, the distances required to travel, lack of general interest in the sport or missing infrastructure to make it a viable option. However, despite making a major impact, you can still find places to watch 90 minutes of football, without having to switch on Sky Sports, or go to nearby Plymouth Argyle.

Truro City Football Club, are Cornwall’s biggest and probably best football club. Currently playing in the Southern League Premier South (7th tier of English football), the club are the highest ranked team in the area. They are a semi-pro side who have had some success across their 131 year history, reaching the first round of the FA Cup in 2017, and 2006/07 FA Vase trophy winners in front of a record crowd for the competition at Wembley stadium. According to their website, they sat in 2nd place in the division prior to the season being finished prematurely. Seemingly, playing decent football, they are a worth the trip to their Treyew Road (3,200 capacity) stadium should you be down in the area. Now, more than ever lower league English clubs need fan support, so make sure to factor in a game whilst on your visit.