Bears vs Raiders in London Oct 6th

For all things Chicago Bears

Moderator: wab

Post Reply
User avatar
Knuckles
Player of the Month
Posts: 337
Joined: Wed May 02, 2018 1:49 pm
Been thanked: 3 times

G08 wrote:Never been to London... might go with the wifey and some buddies!
I went to the Tampa vs Chicago game at Wembley Stadium and it was an amazing time. They go all out for pre-game events and the stadium is nice, beers were somewhat cheap compared to going to an NFL game in the states. Me and my pal both had a blast we stayed 10 days with 3 of those we took the bullet train to Paris. So much to see and do.

One of our friends was the head cheerleader for the Bucs so we wound up hanging out with the cheerleader squad so that was an added bonus. She's the one that got us the tickets to the game for free 10 rows up 50-yard line lol... Was so close to the Bears sideline I was going nuts.

If you do go you might want to check out bed and breakfast places to stay at instead of chain hotels. They're much nicer and closer to the places we wanted to go and see. Ohh and NEVER ask anyone where's a good place to get traditional fish and chips you'll be disappointed. We did and it was a full cod (scales and all) battered and deep fried. It tasted as bad as it sounds. Was like a crunchy, scaley week old fish that smelled like low tide at 2 pm mid-August.

There's a place down the street from the Trubidore that has THE best Eggs Benedict I've ever had. I forget the name but they're known to be the best just ask anyone near there. My favorite breakfast I've not found any place in the States that comes close to how good they were.

One funny thing you might keep in mind... When we got to London and to our first room they laid out a bunch of tea (like how they do coffee here) so we decided to try a cup before we went out and I shit you not I went to the bathroom to brush my teeth and they were stained black. It took 4-5 brushings to get them to a point where they didn't look like we chewed on the ink sack of a squid.

I loved London and the people there were for the most part real friendly. If you ask someone on the streets anything be prepared to have a 20+ min conversation with them. And if you tip anyone at a bar they treat you like a superstar LOL. We gave one bartender a 20 dollar tip because he was so fun he wound up feeding us drinks all night, gave us a bunch of info of what to see and where not to go ect. Was a blast. He's the one that suggested we stay in bed and breakfasts and he was right on.
”Damn -- Khalil Mack had another strip sack?” Gruden asked rhetorically, shaking his head at the Oakland Raiders assistant coaches in his midst. “Are you ... kidding me?”
Top
skamanfrank
Journeyman
Posts: 153
Joined: Mon Nov 13, 2017 9:11 am
Location: Royal Leamington Spa, England

Cannot. Friggin. Wait.

As above, anyone need any UK based tips/advice etc, give me a shout.
Top
User avatar
Butkus1970*
Rookie
Posts: 11
Joined: Thu Apr 25, 2019 4:16 pm

I am a season ticket holder at Tottenham Hotspur so I can answer any questions about the stadium or the local area you may have.
Top
User avatar
Butkus1970*
Rookie
Posts: 11
Joined: Thu Apr 25, 2019 4:16 pm

The stadium is in the borough of Harringey (post/zip code N17 0AP) which is one of the poorest and ethnically diverse areas in London. If you like Turkish/Carribbean food or fried chicken you are in luck. My personal favourite 'take away' is Chick King where you can get double chicken breast and chips (fries) for about $5 - large portion and excellent value. For a sit down I usually go in La Barca and have an English (they are actually Albanian) breakfast.

Beer is around £5 a pint. In the stadium they sell Amstell for £4 a pint and in the first hour after the ground opens they do a pint and a pie deal for £5. I have the Spurs signature pie (minced beef) and it is very good.
Last edited by Butkus1970* on Thu Apr 25, 2019 4:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Top
User avatar
Butkus1970*
Rookie
Posts: 11
Joined: Thu Apr 25, 2019 4:16 pm

The best way to get to the stadium is on the overground train from London Liverpool Street station to White Hart Lane station (22mins) and it is a 5 min walk from there. If you catch the underground to Seven Sisters (the nearest station) it is a 25 min walk from there. Or you can get a bus from Seven Sisters - usually ones that end in a '9' like the 149. You can also pick up the overground from Seven Sisters to WHL (2 stops).
Top
User avatar
Butkus1970*
Rookie
Posts: 11
Joined: Thu Apr 25, 2019 4:16 pm

Please feel free to ask any questions. I have been attending games at the stadium old and new for 50 years so should be able to assist!
Top
skamanfrank
Journeyman
Posts: 153
Joined: Mon Nov 13, 2017 9:11 am
Location: Royal Leamington Spa, England

As a West Ham fan Butkus, I probably shouldn't talk to you.... but as a Bears fan I will gratefully take the tips ;) :)
Top
User avatar
Butkus1970*
Rookie
Posts: 11
Joined: Thu Apr 25, 2019 4:16 pm

skamanfrank wrote:As a West Ham fan Butkus, I probably shouldn't talk to you.... but as a Bears fan I will gratefully take the tips ;) :)
No worries. I might not be talking to you after tomorrow....
Top
User avatar
FranktheTank
Player of the Month
Posts: 272
Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2008 12:26 am
Location: Silicon Valley
Contact:
Contact FranktheTank

Anyone know how to get tickets?
According to nfl.com and stubhub, they're not available yet.
Top
User avatar
GSH
MVP
Posts: 1007
Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2014 12:50 am
Location: Los Angeles

when i still lived in London you would register your interest for tickets on the nfl or wembley website and you get email notification when they are available.

Beer in Wembley? thought they stopped selling it in the stadium outside of the VIP bars up top at sporting events.
Top
User avatar
GSH
MVP
Posts: 1007
Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2014 12:50 am
Location: Los Angeles

GSH wrote:when i still lived in London you would register your interest for tickets on the nfl or wembley website and you get email notification when they are available.

Beer in Wembley? thought they stopped selling it in the stadium outside of the VIP bars up top at sporting events.
nevermind im an idiot and i guess this at the new spurs stadium, not wembley
Top
User avatar
Knuckles
Player of the Month
Posts: 337
Joined: Wed May 02, 2018 1:49 pm
Been thanked: 3 times

The Bears Bucs game was around 10 years ago now so not sure if they changed anything but they were selling beer just like at a US stadium then. The pre-party in the parking lot same thing...

Side note...

Don't buy travelers checks no one accepts them...

When you get there either buy a throwaway phone or get a pay as you go sim card...

Tell your bank you're going there ahead of time or they will freeze your account the first purchase you make...

Don't bring any money back that needs to be exchanged back to US currency no one around me would even the place I exchanged at beforehand only will weigh any coins and give you some change back even though you have coins worth multiple dollars. Such a scam... I had around 50 bucks in coins and they gave me around a buck 85 back.

If you take the bullet train... if you book 2 weeks ahead of time it will be nearly 1/2 the cost as buying it on the day you want to travel.

If you plan on backpacking it like we did a bit of advice... Don't use a military backpack like I did or you'll be detained at every train station or point of entry...
”Damn -- Khalil Mack had another strip sack?” Gruden asked rhetorically, shaking his head at the Oakland Raiders assistant coaches in his midst. “Are you ... kidding me?”
Top
User avatar
malk
Head Coach
Posts: 3630
Joined: Wed Aug 22, 2012 7:10 am
Has thanked: 133 times
Been thanked: 208 times

Knuckles wrote:The Bears Bucs game was around 10 years ago now so not sure if they changed anything but they were selling beer just like at a US stadium then. The pre-party in the parking lot same thing...

Side note...

Don't buy travelers checks no one accepts them...

When you get there either buy a throwaway phone or get a pay as you go sim card...

Tell your bank you're going there ahead of time or they will freeze your account the first purchase you make...

Don't bring any money back that needs to be exchanged back to US currency no one around me would even the place I exchanged at beforehand only will weigh any coins and give you some change back even though you have coins worth multiple dollars. Such a scam... I had around 50 bucks in coins and they gave me around a buck 85 back.

If you take the bullet train... if you book 2 weeks ahead of time it will be nearly 1/2 the cost as buying it on the day you want to travel.

If you plan on backpacking it like we did a bit of advice... Don't use a military backpack like I did or you'll be detained at every train station or point of entry...
What's the Bullet Train? All the trains in the UK are bobbins!
"I wouldn't take him for a conditional 7th. His next contract will pay him more than he could possibly contribute.".

Noted Brain Genius Malk, Summer 2018.

(2020 update, wait, was I right...)
Top
skamanfrank
Journeyman
Posts: 153
Joined: Mon Nov 13, 2017 9:11 am
Location: Royal Leamington Spa, England

Tickets for the two White Hart Lane games, of which the Bears vs Raiders is one, go on sale tomorrow at 10am over here in the UK for anyone who is tempted.

Only "season tickets" are on sale tomorrow, not sure when the single game tickets go on sale, but I suspect there will be big demand for the season tickets- there was last year when it all kicked off because Wembley season ticket holders weren't entitled to match the number of Wembley tickets they had when purchasing White Hart Lane tickets.
This year they've stuck it to the loyal/returning ticket holders completely by not offering any advance access or discount on WHL tickets :(
Top
User avatar
Butkus1970*
Rookie
Posts: 11
Joined: Thu Apr 25, 2019 4:16 pm

The view from pretty much every seat in the Tottenham Hotspur (pronounced Tot-num) stadium has an excellent view.
The single tier South Stand holds 17.5k fans and is behind the goal. This is where I have my soccer Season Ticket. The North stand is in 3 tiers while the sideline stands are the East and West.

The top of the South Stand is not advisable for vertigo sufferers.
Top
skamanfrank
Journeyman
Posts: 153
Joined: Mon Nov 13, 2017 9:11 am
Location: Royal Leamington Spa, England

It's not looking good :'(

The website is awful (AGAIN!) and I've been in the queue on 3 different machines, on 3 different internet connections for 1.5 hours now... 2 froze and I've had to rejoin the queue. The third has been hanging at ~99% progress for about 20mins and looks like it's probably frozen too :( Maybe I won't be going after all!
Top
skamanfrank
Journeyman
Posts: 153
Joined: Mon Nov 13, 2017 9:11 am
Location: Royal Leamington Spa, England

Sold out within 1.5hours :(
Top
User avatar
Butkus1970*
Rookie
Posts: 11
Joined: Thu Apr 25, 2019 4:16 pm

Individual tickets on sale from 27th June I believe.
Top
User avatar
Butkus1970*
Rookie
Posts: 11
Joined: Thu Apr 25, 2019 4:16 pm

And hospitality on the 18th June.
Top
User avatar
panthersfan
Rookie
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Jun 06, 2019 7:32 am

Visiting fan here. Did anyone get tickets to the game? I am a Panthers fan going to London the week after and would be interested in buying the other half of your package. I did get 2 "season" tickets so I have 2 tickets to the Bears/Raiders game, so also would be willing to trade my Raiders/Bears tickets for your Panthers/Bucs. I've got a load of friends going to the game and we only managed to get 2 out of the whole group.
Top
User avatar
Sas25501
Rookie
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Jun 06, 2019 6:39 pm

Hey Panthersfan, I didn't get tickets to the game but i live in Charlotte and am a huge Bears fan. I will buy the seats off you if you are interested!
Top
User avatar
malk
Head Coach
Posts: 3630
Joined: Wed Aug 22, 2012 7:10 am
Has thanked: 133 times
Been thanked: 208 times

Gonna be fun on the 27th...
"I wouldn't take him for a conditional 7th. His next contract will pay him more than he could possibly contribute.".

Noted Brain Genius Malk, Summer 2018.

(2020 update, wait, was I right...)
Top
skamanfrank
Journeyman
Posts: 153
Joined: Mon Nov 13, 2017 9:11 am
Location: Royal Leamington Spa, England

Well, my credit card just took a MASSIVE hit.... BUT I'M GOING TO SEE THE BLOODY BEARS!!!!!
I'm like a little kid right now.... so excited.

My Dad and I (my Dad being the only reason I'm a Bears fan) knew that we were desperate to go and didn't want to risk it once single game tickets went on sale, so I just bought a couple of hospitality seats on the 50 yard line.





Credit cards are basically just like free money..... right?
Top
User avatar
Bad Flanders
MVP
Posts: 1923
Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2008 10:35 pm
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 6 times

Congrats Frank! And yes, that's exactly what credit cards are!
Top
User avatar
malk
Head Coach
Posts: 3630
Joined: Wed Aug 22, 2012 7:10 am
Has thanked: 133 times
Been thanked: 208 times

skamanfrank wrote:Well, my credit card just took a MASSIVE hit.... BUT I'M GOING TO SEE THE BLOODY BEARS!!!!!
I'm like a little kid right now.... so excited.

My Dad and I (my Dad being the only reason I'm a Bears fan) knew that we were desperate to go and didn't want to risk it once single game tickets went on sale, so I just bought a couple of hospitality seats on the 50 yard line.





Credit cards are basically just like free money..... right?
Ouch, 50 yard hospitality seats! Noice.
"I wouldn't take him for a conditional 7th. His next contract will pay him more than he could possibly contribute.".

Noted Brain Genius Malk, Summer 2018.

(2020 update, wait, was I right...)
Top
User avatar
Butkus1970*
Rookie
Posts: 11
Joined: Thu Apr 25, 2019 4:16 pm

Very nice tickets!
Top
User avatar
Knuckles
Player of the Month
Posts: 337
Joined: Wed May 02, 2018 1:49 pm
Been thanked: 3 times

malk wrote:
skamanfrank wrote:Well, my credit card just took a MASSIVE hit.... BUT I'M GOING TO SEE THE BLOODY BEARS!!!!!
I'm like a little kid right now.... so excited.

My Dad and I (my Dad being the only reason I'm a Bears fan) knew that we were desperate to go and didn't want to risk it once single game tickets went on sale, so I just bought a couple of hospitality seats on the 50 yard line.





Credit cards are basically just like free money..... right?
Ouch, 50 yard hospitality seats! Noice.

That's what we had... 50 yard line like 10-15 rows up sitting with all the players and cheerleaders families. You'll love it!
”Damn -- Khalil Mack had another strip sack?” Gruden asked rhetorically, shaking his head at the Oakland Raiders assistant coaches in his midst. “Are you ... kidding me?”
Top
User avatar
ursamagnus
Practice Squad
Posts: 34
Joined: Sat Nov 10, 2018 6:19 pm

A Raiders fan I know has bet me already on the game
Top
User avatar
malk
Head Coach
Posts: 3630
Joined: Wed Aug 22, 2012 7:10 am
Has thanked: 133 times
Been thanked: 208 times

Well, got my tickets too, about the opposite of 50 yard line tickets but I'm getting to see my second Bears game and that's all that matters.

Well, that and turning it into a full weekender with no kids to look after too...
"I wouldn't take him for a conditional 7th. His next contract will pay him more than he could possibly contribute.".

Noted Brain Genius Malk, Summer 2018.

(2020 update, wait, was I right...)
Top
skamanfrank
Journeyman
Posts: 153
Joined: Mon Nov 13, 2017 9:11 am
Location: Royal Leamington Spa, England

malk wrote:Well, got my tickets too, about the opposite of 50 yard line tickets but I'm getting to see my second Bears game and that's all that matters.

Well, that and turning it into a full weekender with no kids to look after too...

Sounds good! It's going to be great!
I think I'll likely sell my Wembley season ticket to cover the additional cost to be honest. Would rather be able to enjoy the Bears game properly instead for the sake of the Wembley games.
Top
Post Reply

Return to “Halas Hall”