Germany stepped into the spotlight as the host nation for Euro 2024, officially the 17th edition of the UEFA European Championship. The decision was finalized at a UEFA Executive Committee meeting held in Nyon on September 27, 2018, where Germany’s bid surpassed Türkiye’s to secure the prestigious hosting rights. This marked a significant moment for Germany, being the first time they hosted the UEFA European Championship since their reunification. While West Germany had the honor of hosting the 1988 edition, EURO 2024 provided a nationwide stage to celebrate football, reminiscent of the successful 2006 FIFA World Cup also held in the country.
EURO 2024 Dates and Key Tournament Milestones
The highly anticipated EURO 2024 tournament unfolded across a month of thrilling football action, commencing on June 14 and culminating on July 14, 2024. The group stage matches, filled with national pride and intense competition, ran until June 26, setting the stage for the knockout phase which began on June 29.
As the host country, Germany was automatically placed in Group A, taking the coveted A1 position. This guaranteed they would play the opening match – a dominant 5-1 victory against Scotland – at the Munich Football Arena on Friday, June 14, kicking off the tournament with a bang. Germany, including its history as West Germany, boasts a consistent presence at every EURO since 1972, showcasing their enduring legacy in European football. Their past successes include West Germany’s triumphs in 1972 and 1980, and a unified Germany’s victory at EURO ’96, adding to the excitement and expectations for EURO 2024.
The draw to determine the final tournament groups was a significant event in itself, held in Hamburg on Saturday, December 2, 2023. The outcome shaped the path for each nation, creating eagerly awaited matchups and storylines:
EURO 2024 Final Tournament 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
*Teams qualified via play-offs
Tournament Format and the Road to the EURO 2024 Final
EURO 2024 maintained the format successfully implemented in UEFA EURO 2020, ensuring a familiar and exciting structure for fans and teams alike. The top two teams from each of the six groups automatically advanced to the round of 16. Adding an extra layer of drama, the four best third-placed teams also earned their spot in the knockout stage, creating intense competition and opportunities for unexpected progression. This format maximized excitement and kept fans engaged throughout the group stage, as every match held significance for qualification hopes.
The culmination of EURO 2024 was the final match, hosted at Berlin’s iconic Olympiastadion on Sunday, July 14, 2024. In a thrilling contest, Spain emerged victorious, defeating England 2-1 to clinch their fourth EURO title. This victory not only marked Spain’s return to the pinnacle of European football but also solidified their place as the first nation to achieve four EURO championships, a testament to their enduring footballing prowess.
Host Cities and Stadiums of EURO 2024
Germany presented a diverse range of host cities for EURO 2024, utilizing ten venues that spanned the country. Notably, nine of these stadiums were also used during the 2006 World Cup, showcasing Germany’s established football infrastructure. The addition of the Düsseldorf Arena completed the list of impressive venues ready to welcome football fans from across Europe and the globe.
Munich Football Arena held a unique distinction, serving as a host venue for the second consecutive EURO tournament. Having been one of the eleven stadiums to host matches during UEFA EURO 2020, its continued inclusion in EURO 2024 highlighted its premier facilities and importance in the European football landscape.
EURO 2024 Host Cities and Stadiums:
- Berlin: Olympiastadion Berlin (current capacity: 71,000)
- Cologne: Cologne Stadium (43,000)
- Dortmund: BVB Stadion Dortmund (62,000)
- Dusseldorf: Düsseldorf Arena (47,000)
- Frankfurt: Frankfurt Arena (47,000)
- Gelsenkirchen: Arena AufSchalke (50,000)
- Hamburg: Volksparkstadion Hamburg (49,000)
- Leipzig: Leipzig Stadium (40,000)
- Munich: Munich Football Arena (66,000)
- Stuttgart: Stuttgart Arena (51,000)
The ten UEFA EURO 2024 host cities
The ten UEFA EURO 2024 host cities provided a vibrant backdrop to the tournament, welcoming fans and teams alike.
Sustainability and Fan Engagement at EURO 2024
Reflecting a growing global awareness, EURO 2024 placed a strong emphasis on sustainability. UEFA aimed to set a benchmark for future tournaments by implementing targeted measures and investments focused on environmental and social responsibility. This commitment addressed increasing societal expectations for football to actively contribute to sustainability efforts. Details of the comprehensive Environmental, Social and Governance strategy are available for those interested in learning more about UEFA’s approach to a responsible EURO 2024. The full Environmental, Social and Governance strategy can be found here.
Fan zones became integral to the EURO 2024 experience, with every host city establishing dedicated areas for supporters. These fan zones provided public viewing installations, creating vibrant atmospheres for fans to gather, celebrate, and support their teams collectively.
Berlin
Berlin’s Fan Zone at Platz der Republik offered a central gathering point for fans, enhancing the EURO 2024 atmosphere. Image courtesy of AFP via Getty Images.
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 and design highlight of the tournament. Unveiled in November 2023 by UEFA and adidas in Berlin, FUSSBALLLIEBE incorporated adidas Connected Ball Technology for the first time in a UEFA EURO. This innovation provided real-time ball data, enhancing match analysis and the viewing experience. More information about FUSSBALLLIEBE can be found here.
Albärt: The EURO 2024 Mascot
EURO 2024’s official mascot, Albärt, a teddy bear, quickly became a popular symbol of the tournament. Chosen through a vote involving UEFA.com users and schoolchildren across Europe as part of the UEFA Football in Schools programme, Albärt secured 32% of the vote, winning hearts with its friendly design. Albärt was first introduced to German fans in Gelsenkirchen in June 2023, generating excitement in the lead-up to EURO 2024. Learn more about Albärt here.
Albärt, the official UEFA EURO 2024 mascot
Albärt, the official UEFA EURO 2024 mascot, brought a playful and engaging element to the tournament. Image courtesy of UEFA via Getty Images.
City Ambassadors and the EURO 2024 Volunteer Programme
Each host city for EURO 2024 was represented by city ambassadors, prominent figures chosen to promote the tournament and their respective locations. These ambassadors, including football legends and local personalities, played a crucial role in connecting the tournament with the local communities.
EURO 2024 City Ambassadors:
- Berlin: Kevin-Prince Boateng
- Cologne: Harald Schumacher
- Dortmund: Roman Weidenfeller, Annike Krahn
- Dusseldorf: 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 exemplified the spirit of unity and passion for football. An overwhelming 146,000 applications were received, with 16,000 volunteers selected from 124 nations. These volunteers became the face of EURO 2024, welcoming guests and embodying the tournament’s motto: ‘United by football. Vereint im Herzen Europas.’
There were 16,000 volunteers at EURO 2024
16,000 volunteers played a vital role in the success of EURO 2024, embodying the spirit of unity and football.
FIRE: The Official EURO 2024 Song
Adding to the tournament’s vibrant atmosphere, “FIRE,” the official EURO 2024 song, was released to energize fans worldwide. Created through a collaboration of Italian producers Meduza, American pop-rock band OneRepublic, and German singer-songwriter Leony, “FIRE” combined anthemic house, compelling pop-rock, and pop expertise. Written by Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic and produced by Meduza, the song captured the passion of football and music fans alike. Listen to “FIRE” and learn more here.
eEURO 2024: Esports Integration
Reflecting the growing intersection of football and esports, UEFA eEURO 2024 was integrated into the tournament experience. Beginning with online qualifiers in March 2024 and culminating in Germany, eEURO 2024 utilized EA SPORTS FC™ 24 as its official platform. This initiative broadened the reach of EURO 2024, engaging a new audience within the esports community. Find out more about eEURO 2024.
