Germany stepped up as host for Uefa Euro Soccer 2024, marking the 17th edition of this prestigious UEFA European Championship. The decision was finalized at a UEFA Executive Committee meeting held in Nyon on September 27, 2018. Turkey was also in contention to host, but ultimately, Germany was chosen. While West Germany previously hosted the EURO 1988, this UEFA Euro Soccer tournament was the first hosted by Germany since its reunification, adding a significant chapter to the nation’s footballing history, which also includes hosting the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
When Did UEFA Euro Soccer 2024 Take Place?
The UEFA Euro Soccer 2024 tournament unfolded across a month of thrilling football action, commencing on June 14 and culminating on July 14, 2024. The group stage matches ran until June 26, setting the stage for the knockout rounds which began on June 29.
As the host nation, Germany was automatically placed in Group A and designated to position A1. This meant they had the honor of playing the opening match – a dominant 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 in every EURO tournament since 1972. Their legacy in the competition includes West Germany’s wins in 1972 and 1980, and a further triumph for unified Germany at EURO ’96.
Which Nations Competed in UEFA Euro Soccer 2024?
The draw to determine the composition of the groups for the final tournament took place in Hamburg on Saturday, December 2, 2023, building anticipation for the UEFA Euro Soccer showdown.
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
Sign up for a free MyUEFA account to enhance your UEFA Euro Soccer experience with live streams, on-demand content, games, and opportunities to win exclusive prizes and tickets to top European matches.
What Was the Tournament Structure of UEFA Euro Soccer 2024?
The tournament format mirrored the successful structure of UEFA EURO 2020. The top two teams from each of the six groups in the final tournament advanced to the round of 16. They were joined by the four best third-placed teams from across all groups, ensuring a competitive and exciting knockout phase in the UEFA Euro Soccer competition.
Where Did the UEFA Euro Soccer 2024 Final Take Place?
The iconic Olympiastadion in Berlin was selected to host the final of UEFA Euro Soccer 2024 on Sunday, July 14, 2024. In a thrilling match, Spain defeated England 2-1, securing their place in history as the first team to win four EURO titles, a testament to the high level of competition in UEFA Euro Soccer.
Which Cities Hosted UEFA Euro Soccer 2024 Matches?
Ten vibrant cities across Germany were chosen as host cities for the UEFA Euro Soccer 2024 games. Impressively, nine of these venues were also utilized during the 2006 World Cup, showcasing Germany’s established football infrastructure. The Düsseldorf Arena was the additional venue, rounding out the list of top-tier stadiums.
Notably, the Munich Football Arena continued its EURO legacy by hosting matches for the second consecutive tournament. This stadium, home to Bayern Munich, was among the 11 venues that held games during UEFA EURO 2020, highlighting its significance in UEFA Euro Soccer events.
UEFA Euro Soccer 2024 Host Cities:
- 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)
Aerial view of the ten UEFA EURO 2024 host cities stadiums at dusk
The ten UEFA EURO 2024 host cities offered a diverse range of locations across Germany for fans to experience the tournament.
What Sustainability Initiatives Were Implemented at UEFA Euro Soccer 2024?
Reflecting growing global awareness and expectations for environmental and social responsibility in sports, UEFA Euro Soccer 2024 aimed to set a benchmark in sustainability. The tournament organizers implemented specific measures and investments to lead by example. Detailed information can be found in the full Environmental, Social and Governance strategy.
Did UEFA Euro Soccer 2024 Feature Fan Zones in Germany?
To enhance the fan experience, each host city provided dedicated fan zones equipped with public viewing areas for supporters to gather and enjoy the UEFA Euro Soccer 2024 matches together.
Fans in Berlin's UEFA EURO 2024 Fan Zone at Platz der Republik, in front of the Reichstag, cheering during a match
Berlin’s Fan Zone, located at Platz der Republik in front of the Reichstag, was a popular spot for fans during UEFA Euro Soccer 2024. AFP via Getty Images
What Was the Official Match Ball for UEFA Euro Soccer 2024?
FUSSBALLLIEBE, meaning “love of football” in German, was the official match ball of UEFA Euro Soccer 2024 and was used throughout the tournament. Unveiled in November 2023 by UEFA and Adidas at a special event in front of Berlin’s Olympiastadion, FUSSBALLLIEBE was notable for being the first UEFA EURO official match ball to feature adidas Connected Ball Technology, adding a layer of innovation to the games. Further details are available here.
Who Was the Official Mascot for UEFA Euro Soccer 2024?
Albärt, a teddy bear, was chosen as the official mascot for UEFA Euro Soccer 2024 following a voting process involving UEFA.com users and schoolchildren across Europe through the UEFA Football in Schools program. Albärt secured 32% of the vote, winning over fans with his friendly appearance. He was first introduced to German fans in Gelsenkirchen in June 2023, prior to a friendly match between the national team and Colombia. Learn more about Albärt here.
Albärt, the UEFA EURO 2024 mascot, posing with a soccer ball and trophy against a stadium backdrop
Albärt, the official UEFA EURO 2024 mascot, brought a fun and engaging element to the tournament. UEFA via Getty Images
Who Were the City Ambassadors for UEFA Euro Soccer 2024?
Each host city for UEFA Euro Soccer 2024 was represented by city ambassadors, prominent figures chosen to promote and support the tournament in their respective locations:
- 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
Was There a Volunteer Program for UEFA Euro Soccer 2024?
The UEFA Euro Soccer 2024 volunteer program saw an overwhelming response, with over 146,000 applications received from enthusiastic football fans. Ultimately, 16,000 volunteers from 124 countries were selected to support the tournament.
These volunteers played a crucial role in the ten host cities and stadiums, welcoming visitors from around the globe and embodying the tournament’s motto: ‘United by football. Vereint im Herzen Europas.’ Their contributions were essential in making UEFA Euro Soccer 2024 a welcoming and successful event for everyone involved.
A diverse group of UEFA EURO 2024 volunteers smiling and posing together in their uniforms
16,000 volunteers were essential to the smooth operation and welcoming atmosphere of UEFA EURO 2024.
What Was the Official Song for UEFA Euro Soccer 2024?
“FIRE,” an energetic track by Italian producers Meduza, American pop-rock band OneRepublic, and German singer-songwriter Leony, served as the official song for UEFA Euro Soccer 2024. Released on all major streaming platforms, “FIRE” captured the excitement of the tournament. The song, penned by Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic and produced by Meduza, blends anthemic house music with pop and rock elements, perfectly encapsulating the passion of both football and music fans. Listen to the song and learn more here.
Was there eEURO for UEFA Euro Soccer 2024?
Yes, UEFA eEURO 2024, the esports version of the tournament, was held, starting with online qualifiers in March 2024 and culminating in the final tournament in Germany during the summer. EA SPORTS FC™ 24 was the official platform for UEFA eEURO 2024, showcasing the growing intersection of real-world and digital football. Find out more about the eEURO here.
