Arsenal begin their 2026-27 Champions League campaign in one of the most atmospheric football cities on earth. 

Mikel Arteta's side travel to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona to face Napoli on Wednesday, 9 September, with kick-off at 8pm local time (7pm BST) on the opening matchday of the league phase and a first competitive fixture in Naples for Arsenal since their Europa League exit there in 2013. 

Napoli, managed by Massimiliano Allegri, finished second in Serie A in 2025-26 and have been drawn from Pot 3.

Getting there requires planning, as Naples is not a city with the most straightforward transport links for a travelling supporter, but it is one of the great European away days, and Arsenal fans who make the trip will not forget it. 

Football Ground Guide takes a look at the best options.

Getting to Naples from the UK

By air — direct to Naples International Airport (NAP)

The most straightforward option for Arsenal fans is a direct flight to Naples International Airport (also known as Capodichino Airport), approximately 10km northeast of the city centre. easyJet operates direct services from London Gatwick, with journey times of around 2 hours 30 minutes. 

Ryanair flies direct from London Stansted. British Airways operates via Rome or Milan on the same day connection but direct routes are the more practical choice for a midweek European night. 

Book as early as possible, as fares on the Naples route rise sharply as the matchday approaches, and September is still high tourist season in southern Italy.

From the airport, the Alibus service runs directly to Piazza Garibaldi (Naples Central Station) every 20 minutes from the arrivals terminal. 

The journey takes approximately 20 minutes depending on traffic, and tickets cost €5. A taxi from the airport to the city centre costs approximately €25 to €35 and takes around 15 to 20 minutes. Do not use unmarked taxis, rather use only official white licensed cabs from the designated taxi ranks.

By air — via Rome

Flying into Rome Fiumicino (FCO) opens up more airline options, including more frequent British Airways and easyJet services. 

From Rome, high-speed Italo or Frecciarossa trains connect Rome Termini to Naples Centrale in around 70 minutes and cost approximately €25 to €40 booked in advance. Book at italotreno.it or trenitalia.com. This is a reliable option for Arsenal fans who want to spend a day in Rome before travelling south.

Getting from Naples city centre to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona

The Stadio Diego Armando Maradona sits in the Fuorigrotta district in the western part of Naples, approximately 6km from the city centre. There are several ways to get there.

By Metro Line 2 (recommended)

The simplest and most reliable option is to take Metro Line 2 (direction Pozzuoli) from Garibaldi Station, which is directly adjacent to Naples Centrale. 

Alight at Campi Flegrei Station, after which the journey takes approximately 20 minutes and the station is a five-minute walk from the stadium. Single metro tickets cost €1.30 and can be purchased from machines at the station. 

The Line 2 metro is the option used by most visiting supporters and is strongly recommended over driving or taxis on matchday, when roads around the Fuorigrotta district become severely congested in the hour before kick-off.

Arsenal fans should be aware that post-match queues at Campi Flegrei station can be long. Allow plenty of time and consider walking toward the city before boarding if queues are unmanageable.

By Metro Line 6

Metro Line 6 serves the Mostra stop, which is the closest metro station to the stadium, approximately eight minutes on foot from the ground. 

Line 6 connects from Municipio in the city centre. Tickets cost €1.30. Line 6 is less frequently used by visiting fans than Line 2 but is a workable alternative, particularly for Arsenal fans staying in the historic centre or near the waterfront.

By bus

Bus route 152 ANM runs from Piazza Garibaldi to Piazzale Tecchio, which is directly adjacent to the stadium. 

The journey takes approximately 25 to 30 minutes and costs €1.30. Route 101 also serves the area from the city centre. Bus services on European matchdays are typically more crowded than usual, which is why you should allow extra time and consider the metro as the more reliable option.

By taxi or rideshare

A taxi from Naples Centrale to the stadium costs approximately €15 to €20 under normal conditions. On matchday, traffic around Fuorigrotta is heavily congested from around two hours before kick-off, and journey times by taxi can double. 

Itaxi and FREE NOW both operate in Naples. Pre-booking a return taxi for after the match is strongly advisable, as demand immediately after the final whistle will be high.

By car

There is no car parking at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona itself, and parking on the surrounding streets is not advised on matchdays. The closest car parks sit approximately five minutes' walk north and south of the stadium. 

A Park & Gol service is available, allowing fans to leave their car at the Bagnoli car park and travel to the stadium by shuttle for approximately €5. Given the city's traffic and the availability of public transport, driving is the least recommended option for Arsenal fans.