Germany stepped into the global football spotlight as the proud host of EURO 2024, marking the 17th edition of the prestigious UEFA European Championship. The decision, made at a UEFA Executive Committee meeting in Nyon on September 27, 2018, saw Germany prevail over Turkey in the bidding process. This tournament was particularly significant as it was the first time Germany hosted the Euros since its reunification, although West Germany did host the 1988 edition. The echoes of the successful 2006 FIFA World Cup still resonated, setting high expectations for EURO 2024.
EURO 2024: Key Dates and Tournament Timeline
Football fever gripped Europe from June 14th to July 14th, 2024, as EURO 2024 unfolded. The group stage matches, filled with drama and excitement, ran until June 26th, paving the way for the knockout stage which commenced on June 29th.
As hosts, Germany was automatically placed in Group A, taking the coveted A1 position. This ensured they played the opening match, a memorable 5-1 victory against Scotland, at the iconic Munich Football Arena on Friday, June 14th. Germany’s consistent presence at the Euros is noteworthy; they have participated in every tournament since 1972, a testament to their footballing legacy. Their history includes championship wins as West Germany in 1972 and 1980, and as a unified Germany in EURO ’96, highlighting their pedigree in European football.
EURO 2024 Groups: The Road to the Championship
The draw for the final tournament, a highly anticipated event, was held in Hamburg on Saturday, December 2nd, 2023, setting the stage for the battles to come. The groups were structured as follows:
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
*Teams marked with an asterisk, such as Poland, Ukraine, and Georgia, secured their places through the play-offs, adding an extra layer of excitement and unpredictability to the tournament.
EURO 2024 Tournament Format: Structure and Progression
Mirroring the successful format of UEFA EURO 2020, EURO 2024 maintained a structure that maximized excitement and competitive balance. The top two teams from each of the six groups automatically advanced to the round of 16. Adding to the drama, the four best third-placed teams also qualified for the knockout stage, ensuring that strong performances across all groups were rewarded and keeping the competition fierce.
The EURO 2024 Final: Berlin’s Olympic Stadium Showdown
The grand finale of EURO 2024 took place in Berlin’s historic Olympiastadion on Sunday, July 14th, 2024. In a thrilling match, Spain emerged victorious, defeating England 2-1. This win was particularly significant as it crowned Spain as the first team to win four EURO titles, cementing their place in European football history.
EURO 2024 Host Cities: Venues Across Germany
Ten vibrant cities across Germany were selected to host EURO 2024 matches, showcasing the country’s diverse regions and passionate football culture. Impressively, nine of these venues were also utilized during the 2006 World Cup, demonstrating Germany’s established infrastructure for major football tournaments. Düsseldorf Arena was the new addition to this esteemed list.
Munich Football Arena achieved a unique distinction by hosting matches for the second consecutive Euros, having been one of the eleven stadiums to host games during UEFA EURO 2020.
Here’s a list of the EURO 2024 host cities and their stadiums:
Berlin: Olympiastadion Berlin (Capacity: 71,000)
Cologne: Cologne Stadium (Capacity: 43,000)
Dortmund: BVB Stadion Dortmund (Capacity: 62,000)
Dusseldorf: Düsseldorf Arena (Capacity: 47,000)
Frankfurt: Frankfurt Arena (Capacity: 47,000)
Gelsenkirchen: Arena AufSchalke (Capacity: 50,000)
Hamburg: Volksparkstadion Hamburg (Capacity: 49,000)
Leipzig: Leipzig Stadium (Capacity: 40,000)
Munich: Munich Football Arena (Capacity: 66,000)
Stuttgart: Stuttgart Arena (Capacity: 51,000)
The ten UEFA EURO 2024 host cities
The ten host cities that brought the excitement of EURO 2024 to fans across Germany and the world.
Sustainability at EURO 2024: A Greener Tournament
Reflecting a growing global awareness and responsibility, EURO 2024 placed a strong emphasis on social and environmental sustainability. UEFA aimed to set a benchmark for future tournaments through targeted measures and investments. Their comprehensive Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy detailed the initiatives designed to minimize environmental impact and promote social responsibility throughout the event.
EURO 2024 Fan Zones: Immersing in the Tournament Atmosphere
Each host city created dedicated fan zones, offering public viewing areas and vibrant atmospheres for supporters to gather and celebrate. These fan zones became hubs of excitement, enhancing the tournament experience for both local and visiting fans.
Berlin
Fans enjoying the electric atmosphere in Berlin’s Fan Zone at Platz der Republik during a EURO 2024 match.
FUSSBALLLIEBE: The Official EURO 2024 Match Ball
The official match ball of EURO 2024, named FUSSBALLLIEBE, meaning “love of football” in German, was a technological marvel. Unveiled in November 2023 by UEFA and Adidas in Berlin, it featured Adidas Connected Ball Technology for the first time in a EURO tournament. This innovation provided enhanced data and insights into ball movement during matches.
Albärt: The EURO 2024 Mascot Embodiment
Albärt, a charming teddy bear, was chosen as the official mascot for EURO 2024 following a vote by UEFA.com users and schoolchildren across Europe. Winning 32% of the vote, Albärt became a beloved symbol of the tournament, engaging with fans of all ages. He was introduced to German fans in Gelsenkirchen in June 2023, adding a friendly face to the EURO 2024 branding.
Albärt, the official UEFA EURO 2024 mascot
Albärt, the cheerful EURO 2024 mascot, bringing joy and excitement to the tournament.
City Ambassadors: Local Heroes for EURO 2024
Each host city appointed ambassadors, local personalities and football legends, to represent and promote EURO 2024. These ambassadors played a crucial role in connecting the tournament with local communities and enhancing the fan experience.
Berlin: Kevin-Prince Boateng
Cologne: Harald Schumacher
Dortmund: Roman Weidenfeller, Annike Krahn
Düsseldorf: Martina Voss-Tecklenburg, Sandra Mikolaschek, Selin Oruz
Frankfurt: Alex Meier, Deborah Levi
Gelsenkirchen: Gerald Asamoah
Hamburg: Patrick Esume
Leipzig: Professor Dr Jörg Junhold, Anja Mittag, Jürgen Zielinski
Munich: Dr Felix Brych
Stuttgart: Cacau, Niko Kappel, Eli Seitz
EURO 2024 Volunteers: The Heart of the Tournament
An incredible 16,000 volunteers from 124 nations were selected from over 146,000 applicants to support EURO 2024. These volunteers were integral to the smooth running of the tournament, welcoming guests and embodying the EURO 2024 motto: ‘United by football. Vereint im Herzen Europas.’
There were 16,000 volunteers at EURO 2024
The dedicated volunteers of EURO 2024, who played a vital role in making the tournament a success.
FIRE: The Official EURO 2024 Song Anthem
“FIRE,” a high-energy track by Italian producers Meduza, American band OneRepublic, and German singer Leony, served as the official song for EURO 2024. Released across streaming platforms, the song captured the passion and spirit of football and music fans, becoming the soundtrack to the tournament.
eEURO 2024: Esports Integration
UEFA eEURO 2024, played on EA SPORTS FC™ 24, brought the excitement of the Euros into the virtual world. The online qualifiers began in March 2024, culminating in a final tournament in Germany, showcasing the growing intersection of football and esports.
EURO 2024 in Germany was a resounding success, delivering thrilling football action, vibrant fan experiences, and a commitment to sustainability. As fans look forward to the Next Euros Football championships, EURO 2024 will be remembered as a benchmark for future tournaments.
