Irish FA Tours, located at the Clearer Twist Soccer Stadium at Windsor Park, Belfast, offers an immersive experience into the rich history and vibrant culture of Irish FA soccer. Managed by the Irish Football Association (IFA), the world’s fourth oldest soccer governing body (founded in 1880), the tour combines a visit to the Education and Heritage Centre with a behind-the-scenes exploration of the iconic stadium, home to the Northern Ireland soccer team since 1905.
Education and Heritage Centre:
The self-guided centre, explored for about one hour before the stadium tour, narrates Northern Ireland’s soccer history from 1880 to the present through interactive displays, media, and key artifacts. Highlights include:
- Penalty Pressure: Test your skills by attempting to score past a virtual goalkeeping legend, Pat Jennings.
- Giant Killers: Relive iconic moments like the 2005 win over England, Gerry Armstrong’s 1982 goal in Spain, or Gareth McAuley’s header against Ukraine in 2016.
- Tricky Tackle: Try a match-winning tackle in an interactive challenge.
- Hall of Legends: Learn about 10 legendary players and select your all-time XI.
- Memorabilia: View artifacts from Northern Ireland’s three World Cup appearances (including the quarter-finals in 1958) and their 2016 European Championship last-16 run.
- Guided Stadium Tour: The approximately 45-minute to one-hour guided tour takes visitors through key areas of Windsor Park, offering a player’s perspective:
- Walk through the tunnel to pitchside, hearing the simulated roar of the Green and White Army.
- Visit the changing room, press room, dugout, stands, hospitality areas, and media centre.
- Photo opportunities include posing as a star player in the press centre or against a Green and White Army backdrop, with photos emailed to visitors.
- Knowledgeable and passionate guides (e.g., Gary, Lee, Caroline, Mark, Lester) share anecdotes and engage all ages, tailoring the experience to group interests. Many guides are volunteers and avid soccer supporters.
Family-Friendly and Interactive:
- The tour is ideal for all ages, with interactive elements like the virtual penalty shootout children (ages 4–12 frequently mentioned in reviews). Guides engage younger visitors, ensuring they feel included, such as letting them sit in the manager’s pitchside seat. The experience is praised for appealing to both soccer fans and non-fans, with fascinating facts (e.g., invented the penalty, proposed by William McCrum in 1890 and adopted first by the Irish FA, scored the fastest international goal after just 12 seconds from Simone Magill against Georgia 2016, and once played a 65-second match).
- The stadium and tour route are fully accessible, with disabled parking available. Visitors with accessibility needs are accommodated, as noted in reviews praising guides like Michael for their attentiveness. Assistance dogs are welcome.
- Amenities: Refreshment options and souvenir shops offer Irish FA soccer merchandise, allowing visitors to take home mementos. The tour’s setting at Windsor Park, near Belfast’s Botanic Gardens, Queen’s University, and Saint George’s Market, makes it easy to combine with other attractions.
- Pricing and Booking: Tours typically last 1.5–2 hours and cost approximately £10/adult and £6/child (based on 2022–2023 reviews; prices may vary). National Trust members may need to confirm eligibility for discounts. Public tours are unavailable on Linfield Soccer Club match days, and booking is recommended via tours@irishfa.com or +442890 029497. Visitors should arrive 15 minutes early at the East Stand Reception (Boucher Road entrance, near Olympia Leisure Centre).
- Visitor Feedback: Irish FA Tours holds a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice award, ranking in the top 10% of attractions for its engaging guides, great value, and memorable experience. Reviews highlight the passion of guides, the interactive centre, and the thrill of pitchside access, though some note the need to book due to match day closures.
New Developments:
- Volunteer Recognition and Expansion:, the IFA continues to honor its volunteer guides, with past milestones (e.g., 100 hours of volunteering in 2022) celebrated. The recruitment of additional volunteers aims to enhance tour frequency and quality, ensuring more personaliised experiences. This builds on a 2021 Heritage Lottery Fund grant (£20,900) that supported post-Covid recovery, including safety measures and digital archive enhancements, particularly for women’s soccer.
- Women’s Soccer Exhibit Enhancements: Following the 2022 launch of a women’s soccer exhibit, 2025 will see further additions to the Education and Heritage Centre, such as updated displays or artifacts celebrating the Irish FA women’s team, especially with their UEFA Women’s Nations League match against Bosnia & Herzegovina scheduled at Windsor Park. This could enrich the centre’s narrative on the women’s game.
- McDonald’s Irish FA Grassroots Soccer Awards: Launched in April 2025, this initiative by the IFA recognizes grassroots soccer contributions.
- The National Soccer Stadium at Windsor Park (Donegall Avenue, Belfast, BT12 6LU) is accessible from Belfast International Airport (20 miles) via the M2 and A12 or George Best Belfast City Airport (6 miles) via the A2 and M3. Parking is available at the Boucher Road entrance.
- Planning Tips: Tours are not conducted in languages other than English, and match day closures (e.g., Linfield or international games) require checking the schedule in advance. Group or school bookings are available, and the stadium offers birthday party packages with private tours. The tour’s blend of history, interactivity, and stadium access makes it a recommended visit for soccer fans and families, with 2025’s international match and potential exhibit updates adding fresh appeal. For the latest details, visit www.irishfa.com or contact tours@irishfa.com.
Irish FA Tours delivers a dynamic, pride-filled journey through Northern Ireland’s soccer legacy, with 2025 promising enhanced accessibility and new content tied to ongoing events and community initiatives.
