Football fans can now join some of the game’s most famous legends on unique city breaks, thanks to Eric Cantona’s Looking FC. The travel brand, which has gained popularity since its inception in 2022, is offering four-day adventures to iconic football cities, including Naples, Manchester, Madrid, Barcelona, and Milan. The trips go on sale today and promise an immersive experience into the world of football culture through the eyes of renowned players.
Among the legendary hosts are Cantona himself, Javier Zanetti, Marco Materazzi, and Emmanuel Petit. Fans will have the opportunity to engage in a range of activities, including creating street art with Cantona in Naples, singing with Zanetti in Milan, and participating in a cooking masterclass with Petit in London. Other highlights include a padel tournament with Materazzi in Milan and a five-a-side challenge with Djibril Cissé in Athens.
Cantona, affectionately known as “The King,” stated, “Our goal is to create the most passionate football trips on Earth. To allow football fans to discover the world and its cities through its local football culture. Through the eyes of the players that often write its history but rarely tell it. We want our community to feel the love, the agony, the ecstasy, the passion of being a football fan.”
Former Inter Milan captain Javier Zanetti is set to host a trip to Italy in November, featuring an evening of Italian culture and a visit to the iconic San Siro Stadium for a match between Inter Milan and Napoli. Similarly, Cantona will host two trips this year: one in Naples for the Derby del Sole, featuring an evening of Maradona-themed Street art and a pizza-making experience with his nephew, Hugo; and another in Manchester, where guests will enjoy fan chants and pub games before heading to Old Trafford for the Manchester derby against City.
Fans booking a trip with Petit in December can look forward to a cooking masterclass before watching Arsenal face Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium. Other experiences include beach football with Portugal’s Nuno Gomes in Lisbon, ringing in the New Year in Glasgow with Argentine legend Caniggia, and competing in a five-a-side match with Cissé in Athens.
Emmanuel Petit expressed his excitement, saying, “The Gunners are forever in my heart. I cannot wait to return to London in December for such a unique experience with fans. I’ll take the opportunity to give some cooking tips and see what you are made of.”
Javier Pastore, another of the legends involved, expressed his eagerness for the Paris trip, inviting fans to join him for a five-a-side match and to witness the clash between PSG and Atlético de Madrid at the Parc des Princes.
Looking FC trips are organised in collaboration with travel company DHARMA, which aims to provide unique experiences hosted by inspiring personalities. Co-founder Charaf El Mansouri described the trips as “pilgrimages” for fans, emphasising the importance of connecting with others who share a passion for football.
The Looking FC experiences start from approximately £740 GBP ($990 USD) for the Meet the Legend Packages, designed for those wanting to participate in the player-hosted activities. https://www.seekdharma.com/looking-fc