The UEFA EURO 2024 captivated football fans across the globe, and understanding its format is key to appreciating the tournament’s structure and progression. Hosted in Germany, EURO 2024 followed a familiar format, building upon the successful structure of previous editions while maintaining the excitement and competitive balance that makes the European Championship so thrilling. Let’s delve into the details of the Euro 2024 Format.
Key Aspects of the EURO 2024 Format
EURO 2024 retained the format successfully used in EURO 2020, ensuring a compelling and dramatic tournament from start to finish. Here are the core components that defined the euro 2024 format:
Host Nation and Tournament Timeline
Germany was selected to host EURO 2024, marking the first time the reunified nation staged the tournament. West Germany previously hosted EURO 1988. The tournament unfolded across a month of high-stakes football, commencing on June 14, 2024, and culminating in the final on July 14, 2024. The group stage wrapped up on June 26, paving the way for the knockout rounds which began on June 29.
As hosts, Germany automatically qualified and were seeded into Group A, taking position A1. This guaranteed they would play the opening match, a memorable 5-1 victory against Scotland, held at the Munich Football Arena on Friday, June 14th. Germany’s consistent participation in the EUROs, dating back to 1972, underscores their historical significance in the competition. They have a strong pedigree, with West Germany winning in 1972 and 1980, and a unified Germany triumphing at EURO ’96.
Qualification and Final Tournament Draw
The journey to EURO 2024 involved a qualification process for most nations, culminating in the final tournament draw held in Hamburg on December 2, 2023. This draw determined the composition of the six groups:
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
*Qualified via play-offs
This group stage setup laid the foundation for the initial phase of the tournament, setting the stage for intense rivalries and crucial matches.
Group Stage and Progression
The euro 2024 format group stage was structured with six groups, labeled A through F. Each group consisted of four teams playing a round-robin format, meaning every team played each other once within their group. Points were awarded in the standard football format: 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, and 0 points for a loss.
The crucial aspect of the group stage format is how teams advance. The top two teams from each of the six groups automatically qualified for the Round of 16. Adding an extra layer of drama and opportunity, the four best third-placed teams also progressed to the knockout stage. This system ensures that strong performances across all groups are rewarded, and it keeps more teams in contention for longer, enhancing the overall competitiveness of EURO 2024.
Knockout Stage Structure
The knockout stage of EURO 2024 commenced with the Round of 16 and followed a traditional single-elimination bracket. This high-stakes format meant that every match was decisive, with no second chances for the losing team.
The knockout stages progressed as follows:
- Round of 16: Winners and runners-up from the group stage, along with the best third-placed teams, were paired up in a predetermined bracket.
- Quarter-finals: The eight winners from the Round of 16 advanced to the quarter-finals.
- Semi-finals: The four quarter-final winners competed in two semi-final matches.
- Final: The two semi-final winners clashed in the final match to determine the EURO 2024 champion.
Berlin’s Olympiastadion was the iconic venue chosen to host the EURO 2024 final on Sunday, July 14th. In a thrilling final that perhaps many did not predict, Spain triumphed over England 2-1, securing their fourth EURO title and becoming the first nation to achieve this milestone.
Host Cities and Venues Across Germany
To host EURO 2024, Germany selected ten diverse and vibrant cities, utilizing a mix of modern and historically significant stadiums. Nine of the venues were also used during the 2006 FIFA World Cup, showcasing Germany’s established football infrastructure. Düsseldorf Arena was the additional venue, rounding out the list of host cities.
A unique aspect was that the Munich Football Arena hosted matches for the second consecutive EURO tournament, having been one of the venues for EURO 2020, which was held across 11 cities.
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 UEFA EURO 2024 host cities
These host cities not only provided world-class stadiums but also created a nationwide festival of football, welcoming fans from across Europe and beyond.
Beyond the Matches: Enhancements to the EURO 2024 Experience
While the on-field format is central to EURO 2024, the tournament also incorporated several elements to enhance the overall experience for fans and stakeholders:
Sustainability Initiatives
Reflecting growing global awareness, EURO 2024 placed a significant emphasis on sustainability. UEFA aimed to set a benchmark for environmental and social responsibility through targeted measures and investments throughout the tournament. This commitment addressed the increasing expectations for major sporting events to minimize their environmental impact and contribute positively to society. Details of the Environmental, Social and Governance strategy were publicly available, highlighting UEFA’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
Fan Zones and Engagement
Each host city established dedicated fan zones equipped with public viewing areas. These fan zones became hubs of activity, offering supporters without match tickets the opportunity to experience the EURO atmosphere, watch games together, and participate in celebratory events.
Berlin
Berlin’s Fan Zone at Platz der Republik, Berlin-Tiergarten (in front of the Reichstag). Image: AFP via Getty Images
Berlin’s Fan Zone, located at Platz der Republik in front of the Reichstag, exemplifies the vibrant atmosphere created in these spaces.
Official Match Ball: FUSSBALLLIEBE
The official match ball, named FUSSBALLLIEBE, meaning “love of football” in German, was unveiled in November 2023. Developed by Adidas, it incorporated Connected Ball Technology for the first time in a EURO tournament. This technology provided precise ball data, enhancing match analysis and potentially aiding refereeing decisions.
Mascot: Albärt
Albärt, a teddy bear, was chosen as the official mascot for EURO 2024 following a vote involving UEFA.com users and schoolchildren. Albärt was introduced to German fans in June 2023 and became a visible symbol of the tournament, engaging with fans of all ages.
Albärt, the official UEFA EURO 2024 mascot
Albärt, the official UEFA EURO 2024 mascot. Image: UEFA via Getty Images
City Ambassadors and Volunteer Program
Each host city appointed city ambassadors, often prominent local sports figures, to promote the tournament and engage with the community. Additionally, a large volunteer program saw 16,000 individuals from 124 nations selected from over 146,000 applicants. These volunteers played a crucial role in the smooth operation of EURO 2024, embodying the tournament’s motto: ‘United by football. Vereint im Herzen Europas.’
There were 16,000 volunteers at EURO 2024
There were 16,000 volunteers at EURO 2024
Official Song and eEURO 2024
The official song, “FIRE”, performed by Meduza, OneRepublic, and Leony, provided the musical backdrop to the tournament. Furthermore, eEURO 2024, UEFA’s esports competition, ran alongside the physical tournament, utilizing EA SPORTS FC™ 24 as the official platform, further expanding the reach and engagement of EURO 2024 into the digital realm.
Conclusion
The EURO 2024 format, building on the successful model of EURO 2020, delivered another thrilling edition of the European Championship. From the group stage dynamics to the high-stakes knockout rounds, and enhanced by fan engagement initiatives and a focus on sustainability, EURO 2024 provided a memorable football spectacle. Understanding this format allows fans and enthusiasts to fully appreciate the nuances of the tournament and the journey to crowning the European champions.
