Germany proudly hosted EURO 2024, marking the 17th edition of the UEFA European Championship. The decision, made at a UEFA Executive Committee meeting in 2018, saw Germany chosen over Türkiye as the host nation. This event was particularly significant as it was the first time Germany had hosted the UEFA European Championship since reunification, although West Germany did host the 1988 edition and the nation also staged the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Fans across Europe and the globe eagerly anticipated what many consider to be the next major international football competition after the World Cup, often informally referring to it as the “next euro cup,” even if technically each edition is uniquely identified by its year.
When Did EURO 2024 Take Place?
Football fever gripped Europe as EURO 2024 kicked off on June 14, 2024, and culminated in a thrilling final on July 14, 2024. The tournament spanned a full month, beginning with the group stage matches concluding on June 26, followed swiftly by the knockout stages commencing on June 29.
As the host nation, Germany was automatically seeded into Group A, positioned at A1. This guaranteed they would play the opening match – a spectacular 5-1 victory against Scotland – at the Munich Football Arena on Friday, June 14. Germany, including its history as West Germany, boasts a consistent presence at every EURO tournament since 1972, underscoring their footballing heritage. They have a rich history in the competition, with West Germany winning the 1972 and 1980 editions, and a unified Germany triumphing at EURO ’96.
Who Were the EURO 2024 Participating Teams?
The draw for the final tournament took place in Hamburg on December 2, 2023, setting the stage for the group battles. The composition of each group was 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
*Qualified via play-offs
What Was the EURO 2024 Tournament Format?
Continuing with a successful structure, EURO 2024 maintained the same format as UEFA EURO 2020. The top two teams from each of the six groups advanced to the round of 16. They were joined by the four best third-placed teams, ensuring a competitive and exciting knockout phase.
Where Was the EURO 2024 Final Held?
The iconic Olympiastadion in Berlin was selected to host the EURO 2024 final on Sunday, July 14, 2024. In a captivating match, Spain defeated England 2-1, securing their place in history as the first nation to win four EURO titles.
EURO 2024 Host Cities and Stadiums
Germany presented ten world-class venues for EURO 2024, with nine of them also having been utilized during the 2006 World Cup. The Düsseldorf Arena was the additional venue, rounding out the list of host stadiums. Munich Football Arena held the distinction of hosting matches for the second consecutive EURO tournament, having been one of the eleven stadiums used for UEFA EURO 2020.
EURO 2024 Host Venues:
- 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)
A map showcasing the ten UEFA EURO 2024 host cities across Germany
The ten UEFA EURO 2024 host cities strategically located across Germany.
Sustainability at EURO 2024
Reflecting the increasing global focus on environmental and social responsibility, UEFA EURO 2024 prioritized sustainability. The tournament implemented various measures and investments aimed at setting a benchmark for social and environmental sustainability in football. Detailed information can be found in the full Environmental, Social and Governance strategy.
Fan Zones at EURO 2024
Each host city created vibrant fan zones, equipped with public viewing areas, to welcome supporters and enhance the tournament atmosphere.
A lively fan zone in Berlin during EURO 2024, filled with supporters
Berlin’s Fan Zone at Platz der Republik, a popular spot for EURO 2024 supporters.
The Official EURO 2024 Match Ball
FUSSBALLLIEBE, meaning “love of football” in German, was the official match ball for UEFA EURO 2024. Unveiled in Berlin in November 2023 by UEFA and Adidas, this ball featured adidas Connected Ball Technology for the first time in a EURO tournament.
Albärt: The EURO 2024 Mascot
Albärt, a teddy bear, was chosen as the official mascot for EURO 2024 following a vote involving UEFA.com users and schoolchildren across Europe. Albärt secured 32% of the vote and was introduced to German fans in Gelsenkirchen in June 2023.
Albärt, the cheerful teddy bear mascot for UEFA EURO 2024, posing with the trophy
Albärt, the official UEFA EURO 2024 mascot, bringing joy to the tournament.
EURO 2024 City Ambassadors
Each host city appointed ambassadors, including notable football personalities and local figures, to represent and promote EURO 2024:
- 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
The EURO 2024 Volunteer Programme
An impressive 16,000 volunteers were selected from over 146,000 applicants to support EURO 2024. These volunteers, representing 124 nations and stationed across the host cities, played a crucial role in ensuring a welcoming and successful tournament, embodying the motto: ‘United by football. Vereint im Herzen Europas.’
Enthusiastic volunteers at EURO 2024, representing the spirit of unity and football
16,000 dedicated volunteers contributed to the success of EURO 2024 across Germany.
The Official EURO 2024 Song
“FIRE,” the official song of EURO 2024, was a collaboration between Italian producers Meduza, American band OneRepublic, and German singer-songwriter Leony. Released across streaming platforms, the song aimed to capture the passion of football and music fans alike.
eEURO 2024
UEFA eEURO 2024, the esports version of the tournament, culminated in Germany in the summer of 2024, following online qualifiers in March. EA SPORTS FC™ 24 served as the official platform for the eEURO 2024 competition.
