The UEFA Euro 2024, a highly anticipated event for football fans worldwide, took place in Germany. Selected to host the 17th edition of the UEFA European Championship during a UEFA Executive Committee meeting in Nyon on September 27, 2018, Germany emerged as the chosen nation over Türkiye, the only other bidder. While West Germany had previously hosted the 1988 edition, this tournament marked the first time Germany hosted the Euro Cup since its reunification, adding a layer of historical significance to the event. The country also has experience hosting major football tournaments, having successfully staged the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
When Did the 2024 Euro Cup Take Place?
Football enthusiasts marked their calendars for the 2024 Euro Cup, which commenced on June 14th and culminated on July 14th, 2024. The tournament spanned a full month of thrilling football action. The group stage matches were played until June 26th, setting the stage for the knockout phase, which began on June 29th.
As the host nation, Germany was automatically placed in Group A, designated as position A1. This ensured they would play the prestigious opening match. Germany kicked off the tournament at the Munich Football Arena on Friday, June 14th, with an impressive 5-1 victory against Scotland. Germany, including its history as West Germany, boasts a consistent presence in the Euro Cup, participating in every edition since 1972. Their rich history in the competition includes West Germany’s triumphs in 1972 and 1980, and a further victory for unified Germany at Euro ’96.
Which Teams Participated in the 2024 Euro Cup?
The final tournament draw, a key event in the lead-up to the Euro Cup, was held in Hamburg on Saturday, December 2nd, 2023. This draw determined the composition of the groups, setting the stage for the initial clashes of the tournament.
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 (*) qualified through the play-offs. This play-off path adds an extra layer of drama and opportunity for teams to secure their place in the final tournament.
What Was the Format of the 2024 Euro Cup?
The 2024 Euro Cup maintained the same successful tournament format used in UEFA Euro 2020. This format ensures a competitive and exciting progression through the tournament. The top two teams from each of the six groups advanced directly to the round of 16. Adding an extra element of competitiveness, the four best third-placed teams also qualified for the round of 16, creating more opportunities and tighter races within the groups.
Where Was the Euro 2024 Final Held?
The final match of the 2024 Euro Cup was hosted at Berlin’s iconic Olympiastadion on Sunday, July 14th, 2024. In a thrilling finale, Spain emerged victorious against England with a 2-1 scoreline. This win marked a historic moment as Spain became the first nation to win four Euro Cup titles, cementing their place in European football history.
Host Cities for the 2024 Euro Cup
Germany selected ten host cities to stage the matches of the 2024 Euro Cup. This selection included nine of the stadiums previously utilized for the 2006 World Cup, demonstrating Germany’s existing world-class football infrastructure. The Düsseldorf Arena was added as the tenth venue, further expanding the tournament’s reach across the country.
Notably, the Munich Football Arena had the unique distinction of hosting Euro Cup matches for the second consecutive tournament. This stadium, home to Bayern Munich, was among the eleven venues that hosted games during UEFA Euro 2020, showcasing its continued importance in European football.
Euro 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 city stadiums
The ten UEFA EURO 2024 host cities featured a mix of modern and iconic stadiums across Germany.
Sustainability Initiatives at Euro 2024
Reflecting a growing global awareness and responsibility, UEFA Euro 2024 placed a strong emphasis on social and environmental sustainability. The tournament aimed to set a benchmark for future sporting events by implementing targeted measures and investments in sustainability. Details of the comprehensive Environmental, Social and Governance strategy can be found in the full strategy document here. This commitment highlights the tournament’s dedication to a positive impact beyond the realm of football.
Fan Zones at Euro 2024
To enhance the fan experience and create a vibrant tournament atmosphere, every host city established dedicated fan zones. These zones were equipped with public viewing installations, allowing supporters to gather and watch matches together, fostering a sense of community and excitement throughout the Euro Cup.
Fans celebrating in the Berlin Fan Zone during a EURO 2024 match
Berlin’s Fan Zone at Platz der Republik, in front of the Reichstag, was a popular gathering spot for fans.
Official Match Ball of Euro 2024
The official match ball for UEFA Euro 2024 was named FUSSBALLLIEBE. This innovative ball, unveiled in November 2023 by UEFA and Adidas, at a special event in front of Berlin’s Olympiastadion, featured adidas Connected Ball Technology for the first time in a Euro Cup. FUSSBALLLIEBE, German for “love of football,” represented the passion and technology intertwined in the tournament.
Albärt: The Euro 2024 Mascot
The official mascot for the tournament was named Albärt following a public vote involving UEFA.com users and schoolchildren across Europe through the UEFA Football in Schools program. Albärt, a friendly teddy bear, secured 32% of the vote, becoming a beloved symbol of the 2024 Euro Cup. He was first introduced to German fans in Gelsenkirchen in June 2023, prior to a national team friendly match against Colombia.
Albärt teddy bear mascot holding the UEFA EURO 2024 trophy
Albärt, the official UEFA EURO 2024 mascot, embodies the fun and spirit of the tournament.
City Ambassadors for Euro 2024
Each host city for Euro 2024 was represented by City Ambassadors, prominent figures chosen to promote the tournament and their respective cities. These ambassadors included football legends, athletes, and local personalities:
- 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 Volunteer Program
The Euro 2024 volunteer program saw an overwhelming response, with over 146,000 applications received from enthusiastic football fans. From this vast pool, 16,000 volunteers representing 124 nations were selected to contribute to the tournament’s success.
These volunteers played a crucial role in the ten host cities and stadiums, welcoming guests from around the globe. They were central to creating a welcoming atmosphere and embodying the tournament’s motto: ‘United by football. Vereint im Herzen Europas.’
The 16,000 volunteers at EURO 2024 were essential to the smooth operation and welcoming atmosphere of the tournament.
Official Euro 2024 Song
The official song of Euro 2024, titled FIRE, was a collaboration between Italian producers Meduza, American pop-rock band OneRepublic, and German singer-songwriter Leony. Released on all major streaming platforms, FIRE, written by Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic and produced by Meduza, blended anthemic house, compelling pop-rock, and pop expertise. The song captured the energy and passion of both football and music fans.
eEURO 2024
Expanding its reach into esports, UEFA hosted eEURO 2024. The online qualifiers commenced in March 2024, leading to the final tournament in Germany during the summer. EA SPORTS FC™ 24 served as the official platform for UEFA eEURO 2024, connecting the virtual and real worlds of football.
