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What to do in Leeds as an away fan

25th August 2021

Leeds is a city with a rich sporting heritage – a football team newly returned to the Premier League, the highly decorated Yorkshire County Cricket Club and Leeds Rhinos along with a regular host to world-class international sporting events.

Whether you’re a football, rugby or cricket fan, Leeds is a city where you can enjoy sport at any time of the year, and pretty much around the clock too.

Once the Premier League is in full flow, with the faithful back at Elland Road, visiting fans may well be looking to plan their own exploration of our sport-mad city.  So take a look at our suggestions for what to do when you’re here for the match because you can easily fill out your itinerary once Saturday comes. Or even a rainy Tuesday (once the Mighty Whites inevitably qualify for the Champions League next year).

 Elland Road credit Andrew Jennings

 

Catch a game at one of the many sports bars

If you’re looking for the perfect place to watch the match, Leeds’ sports bars have got you covered. There are plenty of great options dotted across the city. And there’s loads of suggestions to read about here.

But if you’re heading to Elland Road or Headingley and you’re looking for a great sports bar in Leeds city centre, The Brotherhood of Pursuits and Pastimes is packed with HD screens so you won’t miss a second.

Another option is The Box, with multiple locations across Leeds in the city centre, Headingley or Chapel Allerton. You can also play whilst you watch, with plenty of screens showing multiple games along with pool and shuffleboard to book out.

 

Take a beer tour

If you’re looking for things to do pre or post match, Leeds Beer Tours offers an award-winning three hour walking tour exploring Leeds’ rich beer heritage. You’ll not only learn about beer, brewing and pubs in Leeds but also visit some of Leeds’ iconic heritage sites. The tour takes you around five pubs starting from The Tetley, which once headquartered Leeds’ most famous brewery and beers included along the way, of course. Plan your tour here.

Whitelocks, Leeds - credit Proud Fox Creative

 

Keep the competition going

If you’re looking to keep the competition going, Flight Club provides a ‘social darts’ experience that’s bound to raise the game. Book a semi-private oche playing area for you and your group where you can try your hand at a variety of interactive and competitive darts games.

If arrows aren’t your thing, why not try a round of crazy golf at Junkyard Golf Club? Take your pick from three different courses that feature all kinds of obstacles from circus freaks, to pirates or a scrapyard slide.

 

Experience a gin or rum cocktail creation class

If beers and breweries aren’t exactly your thing, The Liquor Studio, Yorkshire’s first and only spirit school and creative drink space located above the award-winning Hedonist Bar on Briggate. Choose from a range of gin or rum cocktail creation and tasting experiences.

To round out your cocktail creation experience, Leeds has plenty of delightful cocktail bars to fall in love with. The Alchemist is a captivating and creative cocktail bar renowned for its mixology. With an extensive selection including the infamous smoky old fashioned and the mad hatters to name a few.

Or try The Maven Bar, a hidden gem on Call Lane – that’s if you can find the door. Discreetly located in a Victorian building, this famous first floor cocktail bar offers a twist on vintage and classic cocktails. Try their tasting menu and sample six cocktails from around the world paired with little nibbles too.

The Liquor Studio, Hedonist - Jo Ritchie for Visit Leeds

Check out the Leeds street art trail

While you’re exploring the city, keep your eyes out for the city’s greatest street art, which tells the stories of Leeds and its community.  There are pieces that tell the story of Leeds’ rich sporting heritage – like Paving the Way alongside the River Aire – which pays homage to Leeds United club legends Albert Johanneson and Lucas Radebe, plus current midfielder, Kalvin Philips.

Or just a stroll down Kirkgate at the Duke & Drake pub, you’ll find a piece of street art dedicated to Pablo Hernandez and his iconic celebration of a goal which saw the team gain a long-awaited promotion to the Premier League. They may be your opponents on the pitch, but everyone can appreciate some stunning street art when they see it. Find them all and more on the Leeds Street Art Trail.

 

Bring the kids along

If you’re here for the match with the family, there’s plenty of things to do in Leeds to keep everyone entertained.

We’ve got everything covered from outdoor adventures like Go Ape at Temple Newsam to incredible animals like the biggest and free city centre dinosaur trail, Leeds Jurassic Trail 2 to family friendly places to dine out like Trinity Kitchen. Check out our family page for all the activities you can do in Leeds with kids.

Wildlife World, Lotherton - credit Leeds Museums and Galleries

 

Make it a weekend or short stay

If you’re planning to stay for the weekend or thinking of extending your day trip, we have 48 hour and 72 hour itineraries for you with plenty of things to do, places to explore and tasty food to eat.

If you’re still needing a few more excuses of why you should stay in Leeds a little longer, our recent blog will give you seven reasons why Leeds should be your next staycation or city break.