ALBANIA

Albania became the 23rd UEFA nation in which we have watched live football in October 2026, when we visited the capital Tirana to experience the derby between FK Partizani and KF Tirana - two of the country’s most successful and best-supported clubs.

The derby took place at the Air Albania Stadium, a 22,500-seater venue that was built at a cost of €75 million and inaugurated in 2019. Serving as the national team home, as well as hosting big domestic games, it is a stylish, sleek and modern ground with a 112m-tall tower in one corner housing a Marriott Hotel and 3,200 aluminium sunshades in the Albanian colours of red and black, which light up at night adorning the facade. The concourse includes a bizarre range of shops where you can buy a washing machine, hire a yacht or even get a half-time hair transplant!

The match itself was a lively affair that KF Tirana deservedly won 3-1, with pyrotechnics from the ultras providing an atmospheric backdrop. Those ultras, by the way, had already been involved in two fights on game day, which explains the heavy police presence at the ground. There were 400 police officers and around 8,000 fans in attendance, meaning an officer to spectator ratio of 1/20! A particularly overzealous officer even tried to confiscate our laptop, claiming it could be used as a missile, so if you do come to watch football then don’t bring anything to the stadium that could potentially be thrown!

Tirana itself is a cool and safe city with great history and very friendly and hospitable people who really go out of their way for their guests. It also has great food and beer, although we’re personally less convinced by the raki. A visit is highly recommended!