The 2024 Uefa European Championship, widely known as the 2024 UEFA Euro, was a thrilling international football tournament that captivated audiences worldwide. Held in Germany, this edition marked a significant moment as it was the first time Germany hosted the tournament since reunification, although West Germany did host the 1988 edition. Let’s dive into the key aspects of this prestigious event, from its host and dates to the participating teams and unique features.
Germany: Host Nation of the UEFA Euro 2024
Germany was selected as the host for UEFA Euro 2024 on September 27, 2018, during a UEFA Executive Committee meeting held in Nyon. The only other contender in the bidding process was Türkiye. This decision awarded Germany the opportunity to host this major international tournament, building on their rich football history and successful hosting of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. While West Germany was the venue for the 1988 UEFA European Championship, this 2024 tournament was the first time unified Germany welcomed the Euro.
UEFA Euro 2024 Dates and Tournament Timeline
The UEFA Euro 2024 tournament spanned a month of high-energy football action, commencing on June 14, 2024, and culminating on July 14, 2024. The tournament followed a structured timeline:
- Group Stage: June 14 – June 26, 2024
- Knockout Stage: Beginning on June 29, 2024
As the host nation, Germany was automatically placed in Group A, positioned as A1. This ensured they played the opening match, a memorable 5-1 victory against Scotland, at the Munich Football Arena on Friday, June 14. Germany’s national team, with its historical presence in every Euro since 1972 (including West Germany), boasts a strong pedigree in the competition, having won titles in 1972 and 1980 as West Germany, and again in 1996 as unified Germany.
The Road to the 2024 UEFA Euro: Qualified Teams and Groups
The draw for the final tournament of UEFA Euro 2024 took place in Hamburg on December 2, 2023, setting the stage for the competition. 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 * qualified through the play-offs, adding an extra layer of excitement and unpredictability to the tournament lineup.
Tournament Format: Familiar and Exciting
The format of UEFA Euro 2024 remained consistent with the successful 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. This structure ensures a competitive group stage and sets up thrilling knockout rounds as teams vie for the coveted title.
Berlin Hosted the UEFA Euro 2024 Final
The final match of UEFA Euro 2024 was held in Berlin at the iconic Olympiastadion on Sunday, July 14, 2024. In a dramatic showdown, Spain emerged victorious, defeating England 2-1. This win marked Spain’s fourth Euro title, making them the first nation to achieve this milestone in the history of the competition.
UEFA Euro 2024 Host Cities and Venues Across Germany
Ten cities across Germany were selected to host matches for UEFA Euro 2024. These venues included nine stadiums previously utilized for the 2006 World Cup, supplemented by the Düsseldorf Arena. Notably, the Munich Football Arena had the unique distinction of hosting Euro matches for the second consecutive tournament, having been one of the venues for UEFA Euro 2020.
UEFA 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)
The ten UEFA EURO 2024 host cities
The ten vibrant host cities that welcomed fans and teams for the UEFA EURO 2024 across Germany.
Sustainability at the Forefront of UEFA Euro 2024
Reflecting growing global awareness and expectations, UEFA Euro 2024 prioritized social and environmental sustainability. The tournament implemented various measures and investments aimed at setting a benchmark for sustainability in football events. Details of the Environmental, Social and Governance strategy are available for those interested in learning more about these initiatives.
Fan Zones: A Central Part of the UEFA Euro 2024 Experience
Each host city created dedicated fan zones, offering public viewing areas and a festive atmosphere for supporters. These fan zones became hubs of excitement, allowing fans to gather, watch matches together, and celebrate the spirit of the tournament.
Berlin
Fans enjoying the electric atmosphere at the Berlin Fan Zone during a UEFA EURO 2024 match, capturing the communal spirit of the tournament.
FUSSBALLLIEBE: The Official Match Ball of UEFA Euro 2024
The official match ball, named FUSSBALLLIEBE, meaning “love of football” in German, was used throughout UEFA Euro 2024. Unveiled in Berlin in November 2023 by UEFA and Adidas, this ball featured Adidas Connected Ball Technology for the first time in a Euro tournament, adding a layer of technological innovation to the games.
Albärt: The UEFA Euro 2024 Mascot
Albärt, a teddy bear, was chosen as the official mascot for UEFA Euro 2024 following a vote involving UEFA.com users and schoolchildren across Europe. Winning 32% of the vote, Albärt was introduced to German fans in June 2023 and became a friendly face representing the tournament.
Albärt, the official UEFA EURO 2024 mascot
Albärt, the beloved UEFA EURO 2024 mascot, on tour, bringing smiles and excitement to fans across host cities.
City Ambassadors: Local Heroes for UEFA Euro 2024
Each host city appointed city ambassadors, prominent local figures from sports and culture, to represent and promote UEFA Euro 2024. These ambassadors included:
- 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
Volunteers: The Heart of UEFA Euro 2024
UEFA Euro 2024 benefited from the dedication of 16,000 volunteers selected from over 146,000 applicants. These volunteers, representing 124 nations, played a crucial role in the tournament’s success, embodying the motto ‘United by football. Vereint im Herzen Europas.’ and ensuring a welcoming atmosphere for everyone involved.
There were 16,000 volunteers at EURO 2024
A vibrant group of volunteers at UEFA EURO 2024, showcasing the spirit of unity and passion that made the tournament a success.
FIRE: The Official UEFA Euro 2024 Song
“FIRE,” a collaboration between Italian producers Meduza, American pop-rock band OneRepublic, and German singer-songwriter Leony, served as the official song for UEFA Euro 2024. Released across streaming platforms, the song aimed to capture the energy and passion of both football and music fans.
eEURO 2024: Expanding into Esports
UEFA eEURO 2024, an esports tournament, was also part of the Euro 2024 festivities. Qualifiers began online in March 2024, culminating in a final in Germany during the summer, using EA SPORTS FC™ 24 as the official platform. This highlighted the growing intersection of traditional football and esports.
In conclusion, the 2024 UEFA Euro in Germany was a comprehensive celebration of football, marked by thrilling matches, dedicated fans, and innovative features. From sustainable practices to fan engagement and esports integration, UEFA Euro 2024 delivered a memorable tournament that resonated across Europe and beyond.
