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Arsenal begin their 2026-27 pre-season campaign on Saturday, 1 August, when Mikel Arteta's side travel to Catalonia to face Girona at Estadi Montilivi in the 49th edition of the Costa Brava Trophy.
It will be Arsenal's first visit to Montilivi since their 2-1 Champions League comeback victory in January 2025, when Jorginho's penalty and Ethan Nwaneri's superb curling strike secured all three points.
With a capacity of just over 14,600, Estadi Montilivi offers one of the most intimate matchday experiences in Spanish football. The compact stadium creates an excellent atmosphere, although supporters should plan their journey carefully, as transport options are more limited than at many of Europe's larger venues.
FootballGroundGuide explains the best ways for Arsenal fans to reach the stadium.
Getting to Girona from the UK
Arsenal supporters have several convenient ways to reach Girona, whether they are staying in the city or using Barcelona as their base.
Fly direct to Girona-Costa Brava Airport
The quickest option is to fly directly into Girona-Costa Brava Airport (GRO), around 12km south of the city centre.
Ryanair operates direct flights from London Stansted, with the journey taking about two hours.
From the airport, Route 601 buses run to Girona city centre in around 30 minutes, with single fares costing about €3 (£2.56). Taxis are readily available outside the terminal and usually cost between €25 and €30 (£21-£26), taking around 20 minutes.
Fly to Barcelona
Flying into Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) gives supporters a much wider choice of airlines, including British Airways, Vueling, easyJet and Ryanair.
From Barcelona, Girona is around 100km away and is easily reached by rail, making this the best option for fans planning to spend time in both cities.
Train from Barcelona
The fastest way to reach Girona from Barcelona is on Renfe's AVE or Avant high-speed services from Barcelona Sants station.
Journey times are typically between 38 and 40 minutes, while fares usually range from €15 to €25 (£13-£21) depending on how early tickets are booked.
The slower Rodalies R11 regional service takes around 80 minutes but costs between €8 and €10 (£7-£9).
Girona station is about 2.5km from Estadi Montilivi, and from there, supporters can either walk or take a local bus. Booking in advance through Renfe is recommended for the lowest fares.
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Getting from Girona city centre to Estadi Montilivi
The stadium sits on the south-west side of Girona, close to the University of Girona's Montilivi campus and around 2.5km from both the railway station and the historic old town.
Walking
Walking is the easiest and most enjoyable option for most Arsenal supporters.
The journey takes around 30 minutes and follows quiet residential streets before joining Avinguda de Montilivi, which leads directly to the stadium.
The route is mostly flat and straightforward, making it an excellent choice on a summer evening.
Bus
TMG (Transports Municipals de Girona) operates several services to the stadium. Route L9 is the most convenient, linking Girona station with the University of Girona's Montilivi campus. The UdG-Montilivi stop is only a few minutes' walk from the stadium.
Services normally run every 30 minutes, with single tickets costing between €1.50 and €2 (£1.30-£1.70).
Routes L1 and 105 also stop along Avinguda de Montilivi within easy walking distance of the ground.
Buses can become busy before kick-off, so allow extra time if travelling this way. Extra services usually operate after the match, although queues are common.
Taxi or rideshare
A taxi from Girona station takes around five minutes and usually costs between €10 and €14 (£9-£12).
Taxis are available outside the station, while Uber and Cabify also operate in Girona. However, demand rises sharply after matches, so pre-booking your return journey is advisable if possible.
Driving
Girona is easily reached via the AP-7 motorway, with exits at Junction 7 (Girona Sud) and Junction 8 (Girona Nord).
The drive from Barcelona normally takes between 45 and 50 minutes, while the French border is around 40 minutes away.
Once in Girona, follow signs for the city centre before continuing towards Montilivi.
Parking at the stadium is extremely limited, with only a small official car park serving the ground. Most supporters are advised to leave their car in one of Girona's city-centre car parks or blue-zone parking areas before walking or taking the bus to the stadium.
This also allows fans to spend time in Girona's old town before the match without worrying about post-match traffic.
Congestion builds around the stadium during the final hour before kick-off, while traffic can remain heavy for some time after the final whistle.
Away fans at Estadi Montilivi
Away supporters will enter through the turnstiles behind the North Stand, which normally open two hours before kick-off.
For league matches, the away allocation is usually around 500 to 600 tickets, although Girona are expected to make additional seats available for this high-profile pre-season fixture.
Tickets are being sold through Girona's official website rather than Arsenal's usual ticketing channels, and supporters are strongly advised to avoid unofficial resale websites.
The away section is located in the corner between the Preferent and Gol Nord stands. It is uncovered, so Arsenal fans should be prepared for warm evening temperatures in early August. Seats nearer the front of the section generally provide the best view of the pitch.