Things to know if you are traveling to London to see Phillies-Mets in 2024

It has been reported that the Philadelphia Phillies will play overseas in London next season against their National League East Rivals, the New York Mets. For many, this will be a chance to leave the country for the first time while also being able to support their favorite baseball team. Before the schedule is released, here are a few things for you to know before taking the seven-hour flight out of Philadelphia.

The next London series will take place on June 24-25 between the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals. The Phillies and Mets will reportedly be playing around the same time of the year next season as well. While the UK will also be experiencing summer, their temperature in June usually stays around the 70s, unlike the Philadelphia area that begins to hit in the 90s. The temperature at night can be a little chillier, so depending on the game time, you might want to pack a hoodie.

Now if this is your first time in a country that doesn’t take the U.S. dollar, fear not. Most airports have a kiosk or shop where you can exchange the cash you are currently carrying on you to British pounds. You can also use your debit card or credit card as it will automatically convert your purchase to U.S. currency (check with your credit card company about any foreign transaction fees). Here’s a big tip — remember to go into your bank app and to mark that you will be on vacation so that your purchases do not get marked as suspicious and your card gets locked. You will also need a passport to travel overseas and, with processing delays, it’s better to start on that project sooner than later.

In London, time is going to be ahead of the U.S. East Coast rather than behind. London is currently five hours ahead of Philadelphia, so you not only might be prepared for some jet lag, but also remember that, when checking in with family back home, they might still be sleeping. Make sure everyone understands the time zone difference.

As for the drinking age, it is 18, so, if you are brining your high school graduate or college student, they can legally drink at some of the awesome pubs in London, or while watching the Phillies and Mets play. It is also legal for 16- and 17-year-olds to have beer or wine in a meal setting if bought by an adult.

Speaking of pubs, London has a rich history of pubs built as far back as the 1500s. Ye Olde Mitre was built in 1546. This pub is famous for serving multi-award-winning beers. Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese was built in 1667. It’s one of the few remaining pubs that was built in the 17th century. It has had many famous historical figures inside over the years. If you would like to see the full list of the top 15 pubs in London, you can find them here. There is also a ton of restaurants in London as well! Find a list of the top 30 here.

London is also rich with history for sightseeing. From Big Ben to Stonehenge, there is a ton for you to see whether you have time before a game or have some free time when you land in the UK. If you are a football fan, you can also go and see some of the various stadiums around London. You can even take a 2.5-hour train ride to Paris for a day if you would like to see the City of Lights.

While baseball will be the main focus of this trip, just remember to take in the sights and sounds. It’s not every day do you get to see the culture of another country, so enjoy every second of this trip and make as many memories as possible!