Can You Bring a Dog to a Soccer Game?
Dogs have a long history of being welcome at soccer matches. In fact, one soccer stadium, St. Louis CITY SC, has partnered with Purina to create permanent dog-friendly boxes for fans with pets. What’s more, dogs can be trained to help you improve your soccer skills. As always, service dogs are welcome at all soccer venues.
It’s important to note, however, that pet dogs are not always welcome at professional soccer events unless they are specifically invited as part of a special Pups at the Pitch event. There’s a good reason for this: while it can be fun to see a dog run out onto a soccer field and join the game, such behavior can disrupt a serious match and even change its outcome.
In this article:
- Why dogs and soccer go together
- How to bring your dog to a non-professional soccer match
- Considering a Pups-at-the-Pitch professional soccer event
- Dog-friendly experiences at professional soccer stadiums and pitches
Why Dogs and Soccer Go Together
It turns out that many dogs have a natural affinity for the game of soccer. There are numerous tales of dogs running onto soccer pitches to join in the game, and plenty of dogs that simply love the game. In England, soccer stars have even been known to compete with dogs in agility and other skills.
An organization called Soccer Dogs has taken advantage of that interest to create a program for Border Collies, which are a particularly soccer-friendly breed. Soccer Dogs runs soccer events featuring Border Collies’ amazing energy, intelligence, and agility, and uses the events to encourage dog adoptions. In addition to Border Collies, Soccer Dogs says that Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Australian Shepherds, and Border Terriers are especially soccer-friendly breeds.
Soccer is also an unusually kid-friendly sport, and dogs, of course, are part of many kids’ lives. It’s not unusual to see children practicing their soccer skills with their pets, and, according to the website Wag, it’s also easy to use soccer as a tool for training pet dogs in skills.
How to Bring Your Dog to a Non-professional Soccer Match
Adorable as it is to see a dog rush onto a soccer field in the middle of play, it’s disruptive and potentially dangerous for both the dog and the players. It gets especially tricky when the dog in question is accustomed to chasing and retrieving soccer balls for fun. Dogs are, however, welcome at most school and community games. Here are a few tips for keeping your dog and the players safe and happy:
- Always leash your dog. No matter how friendly and adorable your dog is, having them off-leash is potentially hazardous for everyone. It’s also likely to wind up causing bad feelings if your pet starts snacking on a neighbor’s sandwiches or decides to wander onto the field.
- If your dog needs to move or relieve itself, get up and away from the bleachers or stands. Most non-professional soccer fields are surrounded by green space where you and your dog can walk and run. Of course, you’ll need to clean up after your dog.
- Think about your dog’s needs before you come. Many dog owners pack along a collapsible water bowl and a bottle of water, pet snacks, a blanket for wet or rocky ground, and, if needed, a sweater as well as scoopers, plastic bags, and hand wipes.
- Consider your dog’s temperament. If your dog is likely to be anxious, uncomfortable, or aggressive around children, noise, or other dogs, they probably shouldn’t be at a soccer field. That said, it’s possible to come to such events for short periods of time to accustom your dog to such challenging settings.
Considering a Pups-at-the-Pitch Professional Soccer Event
Many professional teams are running these special dog-friendly events at various times throughout the soccer season. There are some real pros and cons to attending, and you’ll have to decide whether the experience is right for you.
Pros
It can be great fun to attend an event with your dog, and it’s a great way to meet other folks who are soccer-loving dog owners. Most such events are hosted by a pet-related company that gives away swag. And many such events offer unique photo ops available only to pet owners.
Cons
On the con side, however, most venues require you to pay a bit more to bring a dog along. They may require you to sit in less desirable seats. And many also ask you to sign special waivers so that if an issue arises with your dog, you’ll have no legal standing to complain.
You’ll also need to consider your dog’s needs. If small, local events are loud and chaotic, professional events are even more so. Most venues, even when they allow dogs, require the dogs to sit on cold, hard concrete or on pads you bring yourself. It can be tricky to get to a relief station or outdoor location as quickly as you need to. If these issues make you nervous, Paws at the Pitch may not be right for you and your pet.
Dog-friendly Experiences at Professional Soccer Stadiums and Pitches
The absolute dog-friendliest professional soccer venue is CITYPARK (St. Louis City, SC). Not only is the entire stadium surrounded by dog-friendly green space, but you can also purchase tickets for one of four in-stadium loges that accommodate two dogs and four humans each (the loges are sold as blocks). Granted, there aren’t many dog-friendly seats, and you have to actually fill out an application to rent them, but they’re still worth the effort.
This list represents just a few of the other dog-friendly professional soccer options located across the country. Check out your favorite team’s website to find out whether they’re running an event near you.
- Lynn Family Stadium (Louisville City, FC): Pups at the Pitch nights with designated fan zone seating for dogs and special photo ops.
- Lexington, SC: Pups at the Pitch event featuring giveaways and more; waivers are required.
- Pittsburgh Riverhounds:Pittsburgh Riverhounds started to host their first-ever Pups at the Pitch Night, allowing fans to enjoy the match with their favorite furry friends.
- Seattle Sounders: Also for the first time, Sounders FC is hosting a dog-friendly event at Lumen Field.
About the Author: Lisa Jo Rudy, M.Div. has been writing on developmental disabilities and mental health since the early 2000s, when her son was diagnosed with autism. Lisa lives on Cape Cod, where she is the proud "mom" of two beautiful cats.
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