Germany proudly hosted EURO 2024, marking the nation’s first time staging the UEFA European Championship since its reunification. The decision, made at a UEFA Executive Committee meeting in Nyon on September 27, 2018, positioned Germany ahead of Türkiye, the only other bidder. While West Germany had hosted the 1988 edition, this tournament represented a significant milestone for the unified Germany, further cementing its status as a major sporting nation, reminiscent of the successful 2006 FIFA World Cup also held on German soil.
EURO 2024 Tournament Timeline in Germany
The highly anticipated EURO 2024 tournament in Germany kicked off on June 14, 2024, and captivated fans until the final whistle on July 14, 2024. The group stage matches ran until June 26, setting the stage for the knockout rounds which commenced on June 29.
Being the host nation, Germany was automatically placed in Group A, designated to position A1. This ensured they played the opening match – a dominant 5-1 victory against Scotland – at the Munich Football Arena on Friday, June 14. Germany, including its West German history, boasts a consistent presence at every EURO since 1972, showcasing a rich footballing heritage. West Germany clinched EURO titles in 1972 and 1980, and a unified Germany celebrated victory at EURO ’96.
EURO 2024 Qualified Teams
Football enthusiasts eagerly awaited the final tournament draw, which took place in Hamburg on Saturday, December 2, 2023, to discover the groups and paths for their favorite teams.
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
EURO 2024 Format and Final Match Details
The tournament maintained the same exciting format as UEFA EURO 2020. The top two teams from each of the six groups, along with the four best third-placed teams, advanced to the round of 16, ensuring a high level of competition and thrilling knockout stages.
Berlin’s iconic Olympiastadion was the chosen venue for the EURO 2024 final, hosting the decisive match on Sunday, July 14, 2024. In a captivating final, Spain emerged victorious against England with a 2-1 scoreline, securing their place in history as the first team to win four EURO titles.
EURO 2024 Host Cities and Stadiums Across Germany
Ten dynamic German cities were selected to host EURO 2024 matches, showcasing the country’s diverse regions and passionate football culture. Impressively, nine of the stadiums were also utilized during the 2006 World Cup, demonstrating Germany’s established infrastructure for major sporting events. The Düsseldorf Arena was a notable addition to the list of venues.
The Munich Football Arena earned a unique distinction by hosting matches for the second consecutive EURO tournament, having been one of the eleven stadiums that hosted games during UEFA EURO 2020.
EURO 2024 Host Cities and Stadiums:
- 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 EURO 2024 host cities in Germany, showcasing their locations across the country.
The ten UEFA EURO 2024 host cities strategically located throughout Germany.
Sustainability Initiatives at EURO 2024 Germany
Reflecting the growing global emphasis on sustainability, EURO 2024 in Germany implemented comprehensive measures and investments focused on environmental and social responsibility. UEFA aimed to set a benchmark for sustainable practices in major football tournaments through its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy. Detailed information about these initiatives can be found in the full ESG strategy document.
Fan Zones and FESTIVITIES in Germany during EURO 2024
Each host city in Germany created vibrant fan zones, equipped with large public viewing screens, offering supporters a central hub to gather, celebrate, and experience the EURO 2024 atmosphere collectively.
A wide shot of the Berlin Fan Zone at Platz der Republik, filled with cheering football fans in front of the Reichstag building.
Berlin’s Fan Zone at Platz der Republik provided a central location for fans to enjoy EURO 2024.
Official EURO 2024 Match Ball: FUSSBALLLIEBE
FUSSBALLLIEBE, meaning “love of football” in German, was the official match ball of UEFA EURO 2024, used throughout the tournament. Unveiled in Berlin in November 2023 by UEFA and Adidas, FUSSBALLLIEBE featured Adidas Connected Ball Technology for the first time in a EURO competition, enhancing match analysis and fan engagement. Learn more about the official match ball.
Albärt: The EURO 2024 Mascot
Albärt, a charming teddy bear, was chosen as the official EURO 2024 mascot after a public vote involving UEFA.com users and schoolchildren across Europe through the UEFA Football in Schools program. Winning 32% of the vote, Albärt was introduced to German fans in Gelsenkirchen in June 2023, quickly becoming a recognizable and beloved symbol of the tournament. Discover more about Albärt.
Albärt, the official UEFA EURO 2024 mascot, posing with the Henri Delaunay Trophy.
Albärt, the official mascot, became a popular figure during the EURO 2024 events across Germany.
EURO 2024 City Ambassadors
Each host city in Germany appointed city ambassadors, prominent figures from sports and culture, to represent and promote EURO 2024 within their respective locations, further connecting the tournament with local communities.
- 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. Ultimately, 16,000 volunteers from 124 nations were selected to support the tournament across the ten host cities. These volunteers played a crucial role in welcoming guests and embodying the tournament’s motto: ‘United by football. Vereint im Herzen Europas.’
A group photograph of EURO 2024 volunteers in their uniforms, smiling and waving.
16,000 volunteers contributed to the success of EURO 2024 across Germany.
Official EURO 2024 Song: FIRE
“FIRE,” an electrifying track by Italian producers Meduza, American pop-rock band OneRepublic, and German singer-songwriter Leony, became the official EURO 2024 song. Released on all major streaming platforms, “FIRE” captured the energy and passion of football and music fans alike, blending anthemic house, compelling pop-rock, and pop expertise. Listen to the official song FIRE.
eEURO 2024
UEFA eEURO 2024, the esports counterpart to the physical tournament, commenced with online qualifiers in March 2024 and culminated in finals held in Germany during the summer. EA SPORTS FC™ 24 served as the official platform for eEURO 2024, further expanding the reach and engagement of EURO 2024. Find out more about eEURO 2024.
EURO 2024 in Germany was a resounding success, showcasing thrilling football action, German hospitality, and a vibrant celebration of European football culture.
