The UEFA European Championship, popularly known as the Euro Cup, is one of the most prestigious international football tournaments globally. Fans worldwide eagerly anticipate this quadrennial event to witness top European national teams compete for the coveted title. If you’re wondering, When Is The Euro Cup?, specifically Euro 2024, you’ve come to the right place. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Euro 2024 dates, schedule, and other essential information, ensuring you don’t miss any crucial moments of this thrilling tournament.
Euro 2024 Key Dates: Mark Your Calendars
Euro 2024 was held in Germany, and the tournament spanned a month of high-octane football action. To answer the primary question, when is the Euro Cup?, let’s break down the key dates:
Tournament Start and End Dates
The Euro 2024 tournament commenced on June 14, 2024, and concluded on July 14, 2024. This month-long festival of football provided fans with non-stop excitement, from the opening whistle to the final dramatic moments.
Group Stage Dates
The group stage matches, which set the stage for the knockout rounds, were played from June 14 to June 26, 2024. During this phase, teams battled fiercely to secure their place in the top two of their respective groups, or as one of the best third-placed teams, to advance to the round of 16.
Knockout Stage Dates
Following the group stage, the knockout stage began on June 29, 2024. This is where the stakes were raised even higher, with each match being a decisive encounter. Teams fought for survival in the round of 16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals, all leading up to the grand finale.
Final Date
The climax of Euro 2024, the final match, took place on Sunday, July 14, 2024. Football fans around the globe tuned in to witness the ultimate showdown and see which nation would be crowned the Euro 2024 champion. Berlin’s Olympiastadion was the iconic venue for this momentous occasion.
Euro 2024 Tournament Overview: Host Country, Format, and More
Now that we’ve pinpointed when is the Euro Cup? in terms of dates, let’s delve into other key aspects of the Euro 2024 tournament.
Host Country and Cities
Germany was the proud host of Euro 2024, winning the bid to stage the 17th edition of the UEFA European Championship. This marked the first time Germany hosted the tournament since reunification, although West Germany did host Euro 1988. Ten host cities were selected, featuring a mix of modern and historic stadiums, most of which were also used during the 2006 FIFA World Cup. These host cities were:
- Berlin: Olympiastadion Berlin
- Cologne: Cologne Stadium
- Dortmund: BVB Stadion Dortmund
- Dusseldorf: Düsseldorf Arena
- Frankfurt: Frankfurt Arena
- Gelsenkirchen: Arena AufSchalke
- Hamburg: Volksparkstadion Hamburg
- Leipzig: Leipzig Stadium
- Munich: Munich Football Arena
- Stuttgart: Stuttgart Arena
The ten UEFA EURO 2024 host cities
Euro 2024 Host Cities: A map showcasing the ten vibrant cities across Germany that hosted the UEFA Euro 2024 matches.
Tournament Format
The format of Euro 2024 remained consistent with Euro 2020. The tournament featured 24 teams divided into six groups (Group A to F). The top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed teams, advanced to the round of 16. From there, it was a standard knockout tournament, culminating in the final match.
Participating Teams and Groups
The draw for the Euro 2024 final tournament took place in Hamburg on December 2, 2023, and resulted in the following groups:
- Group A: Germany, Scotland, Hungary, Switzerland
- Group B: Spain, Croatia, Italy, Albania
- Group C: Slovenia, Denmark, Serbia, England
- Group D: Poland, Netherlands, Austria, France
- Group E: Belgium, Slovakia, Romania, Ukraine
- Group F: Türkiye, Georgia, Portugal, Czechia
More About Euro 2024: Enhancing the Fan Experience
Beyond the dates and format, Euro 2024 was packed with features designed to enhance the fan experience and promote the spirit of the tournament.
Official Match Ball
FUSSBALLLIEBE, meaning “love of football” in German, was the official match ball of Euro 2024. Unveiled in Berlin in November 2023, this innovative ball featured adidas Connected Ball Technology, marking a first for the UEFA Euro.
Mascot
Albärt, a teddy bear, was chosen as the official mascot for Euro 2024 after a vote involving UEFA.com users and schoolchildren. Albärt was introduced to fans in June 2023 and became a beloved symbol of the tournament.
Albärt, the official UEFA EURO 2024 mascot
Albärt Euro 2024 Mascot: A photograph of Albärt, the official mascot for UEFA Euro 2024, posing playfully with a football.
Fan Zones
Every host city established dedicated fan zones equipped with public viewing areas. These fan zones became hubs of activity, offering supporters a place to gather, watch matches together, and soak in the tournament atmosphere. Berlin’s Fan Zone at Platz der Republik was a particularly popular spot.
Berlin
Euro 2024 Berlin Fan Zone: A vibrant scene from the fan zone in Berlin, Germany, filled with enthusiastic football supporters enjoying the Euro 2024 atmosphere.
Conclusion: Euro 2024 – A Summer of Football
So, when is the Euro Cup? Euro 2024 took place from June 14 to July 14, 2024, delivering a month of thrilling football hosted across ten vibrant German cities. From the electrifying opening match to the dramatic final, Euro 2024 was a memorable tournament for players and fans alike. If you are already looking forward to the next edition, keep an eye on UEFA’s official channels for updates on future Euro Cup dates and locations. The excitement of European international football is a cycle that fans eagerly await every four years.
To stay updated with future UEFA events and tournaments, consider signing up for a free MyUEFA account on the official UEFA website.
