Germany stepped into the global spotlight as the proud host of EURO 2024, marking the 17th edition of the prestigious UEFA European Championship. The decision, finalized at a UEFA Executive Committee meeting in Nyon on September 27, 2018, saw Germany emerge as the chosen nation over Turkey, the only other contender. While West Germany had previously hosted EURO 1988, this tournament signified a historic moment as the first time unified Germany staged the European Championship, adding to their rich history of hosting major football events like the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
EURO 2024: Dates and Key Timelines
The highly anticipated EURO 2024 tournament commenced on June 14, 2024, and captivated football fans until the grand finale on July 14, 2024. The group stage matches, filled with intense rivalries and thrilling moments, wrapped up on June 26, paving the way for the knockout stage which began on June 29.
As the host nation, Germany was automatically placed in Group A, securing the coveted A1 position. This privilege meant they played the opening match – a dominant 5-1 victory against Scotland – at the electrifying Munich Football Arena on Friday, June 14. Germany, including its West German history, boasts an unbroken record of EURO appearances since 1972. Their legacy includes EURO triumphs in 1972 and 1980 as West Germany, and a further victory as unified Germany at EURO ’96.
EURO 2024 Qualified Teams
The draw that set the stage for the EURO 2024 battles took place in Hamburg on Saturday, December 2, 2023, organizing the qualified nations into compelling 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
*Qualified via play-offs
Tournament Format: Familiar and Thrilling
Continuing the format that proved successful at UEFA EURO 2020, EURO 2024 maintained a structure that maximizes excitement and competitive play. 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 from across all groups, ensuring that strong performances were rewarded and adding an extra layer of drama to the group stage conclusions.
The EURO 2024 Final: A Berlin Showdown
The iconic Olympiastadion in Berlin was the chosen venue for the EURO 2024 final, hosting the decisive match on Sunday, July 14, 2024. In a thrilling contest, Spain emerged victorious, defeating England 2-1 and claiming their fourth EURO title, making history as the first nation to reach this milestone.
EURO 2024 Host Cities: Across Germany
Spanning ten vibrant cities, EURO 2024 utilized a network of world-class stadiums. Impressively, nine of the venues were also used during the 2006 World Cup, demonstrating Germany’s established football infrastructure. The Düsseldorf Arena was the additional venue, completing the list of host stadiums.
Munich Football Arena held a unique distinction by hosting matches for the second consecutive EURO tournament. This stadium, home to Bayern Munich, was among the eleven arenas that staged games during UEFA EURO 2020, highlighting 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)
The ten UEFA EURO 2024 host cities
The ten UEFA EURO 2024 host cities, showcasing Germany’s nationwide celebration of football.
Sustainability at EURO 2024
Reflecting a growing global awareness, EURO 2024 placed significant emphasis on sustainability. UEFA aimed to set a benchmark for environmental and social responsibility through dedicated initiatives and investments. Detailed information about their comprehensive approach can be found in the full Environmental, Social and Governance strategy.
Fan Zones: The Heart of EURO 2024 Festivities
Each host city created vibrant fan zones, offering public viewing areas and a celebratory atmosphere for supporters. These zones became hubs of excitement, enhancing the tournament experience for locals and visitors alike.
Berlin
Berlin’s Fan Zone at Platz der Republik, in front of the Reichstag, captured the passionate spirit of EURO 2024 supporters.
FUSSBALLLIEBE: The Official EURO 2024 Match Ball
FUSSBALLLIEBE, meaning “love of football” in German, was unveiled as the Official Match Ball of UEFA EURO 2024 in November 2023. The launch event, held in front of Berlin’s Olympiastadion by UEFA and Adidas, introduced the ball featuring adidas Connected Ball Technology for the first time in a EURO tournament.
Albärt: The EURO 2024 Mascot
Albärt, a charming teddy bear, was chosen as the official mascot through a vote involving UEFA.com users and schoolchildren across Europe. Winning 32% of the vote, Albärt was introduced to German fans in Gelsenkirchen in June 2023, prior to a friendly match against Colombia, becoming a beloved symbol of the tournament.
Albärt, the official UEFA EURO 2024 mascot
Albärt, the official UEFA EURO 2024 mascot, embodies the fun and inclusive spirit of the tournament.
City Ambassadors: Local Heroes of EURO 2024
Each host city appointed ambassadors, local personalities who represented the spirit of EURO 2024:
- 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
Volunteers: The Backbone of EURO 2024
An astounding 146,000 individuals applied to volunteer at EURO 2024, with 16,000 selected from 124 nations. These volunteers were essential to the tournament’s success, greeting guests and embodying the motto: ‘United by football. Vereint im Herzen Europas.’
16,000 dedicated volunteers from across the globe played a crucial role in the seamless execution of EURO 2024.
FIRE: The Official EURO 2024 Song
FIRE, the official EURO 2024 song, was a collaboration between Italian producers Meduza, American pop-rock band OneRepublic, and German singer-songwriter Leony. Released across streaming platforms, the song captured the energy of football and music fans, becoming the soundtrack to the tournament.
eEURO 2024: Esports Takes Center Stage
UEFA eEURO 2024 expanded the EURO 2024 experience into esports, with online qualifiers starting in March 2024 and culminating in a final in Germany. EA SPORTS FC™ 24 served as the official platform for this exciting competition.
While the exact duration of the EURO opening ceremony isn’t precisely fixed, these events are typically designed to be impactful and memorable, setting the stage for the tournament. They often include musical performances, cultural showcases, and ceremonial elements, creating a sense of anticipation and excitement for the matches to come. The EURO 2024 opening ceremony, preceding the Germany vs. Scotland match on June 14th at the Munich Football Arena, was no doubt a spectacle that launched a month of thrilling football action.
