The UEFA Euro 2024 Tournament captivated football fans across the globe, and if you’re looking for a comprehensive guide to this thrilling event, you’ve come to the right place. Germany proudly hosted the 17th edition of the UEFA European Championship, marking a significant moment as the first time they’ve staged the tournament since reunification, although West Germany did host EURO 1988. Let’s dive into the key details of the EURO 2024 tournament.
Host Nation and Tournament Dates
Germany was selected to host EURO 2024 at a UEFA Executive Committee meeting on September 27, 2018. They edged out Türkiye in the bidding process, showcasing Germany’s strong footballing infrastructure and passion for the sport. The tournament took place from June 14 to July 14, 2024, providing a month of high-octane football action. The group stage concluded on June 26, setting the stage for the knockout rounds which commenced on June 29.
As the host nation, Germany automatically qualified and was seeded into Group A, taking position A1. They kicked off the EURO 2024 tournament with a dominant 5-1 victory against Scotland at the Munich Football Arena on Friday, June 14. Germany boasts a rich history in the EUROs, having participated in every edition since 1972. Their legacy includes two titles as West Germany (1972 and 1980) and one as reunified Germany (EURO ’96), highlighting their consistent presence and success in the competition.
Munich Football Arena EURO 2024 Opening Match
Munich Football Arena hosted the opening match of the EURO 2024 tournament.
EURO 2024 Qualified Teams and Tournament Format
The EURO 2024 final tournament draw was held in Hamburg on December 2, 2023, dividing the qualified teams into six groups. Here’s a breakdown of the 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 marked with an asterisk () qualified through the play-offs.*
The tournament format mirrored the successful UEFA EURO 2020. The top two teams from each of the six groups advanced to the round of 16, joined by the four best third-placed teams. This format ensured a competitive and exciting knockout stage, culminating in the final match.
EURO 2024 Final and Host Cities
Berlin’s iconic Olympiastadion was the venue for the EURO 2024 final, held on Sunday, July 14, 2024. In a thrilling match, Spain defeated England 2-1 to clinch their fourth EURO title, becoming the first nation to achieve this milestone.
Ten world-class venues across Germany were selected as host cities for EURO 2024. Impressively, nine of these were also used for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, demonstrating Germany’s continued commitment to top-tier football facilities. Düsseldorf Arena was the additional venue, completing the list of host cities. Munich Football Arena held the distinction of hosting matches for the second consecutive EURO, having been one of the 11 venues for 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)
Sustainability, Fan Zones, and Tournament Highlights
Recognizing the growing importance of sustainability, EURO 2024 implemented various measures to minimize environmental impact and promote social responsibility. UEFA aimed to set a benchmark for future tournaments with a comprehensive Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy.
Each host city in Germany provided vibrant fan zones equipped with public viewing areas, creating festive atmospheres for supporters to gather and celebrate the tournament. Berlin’s Fan Zone at Platz der Republik was a particularly popular spot, drawing massive crowds throughout EURO 2024.
Berlin EURO 2024 Fan Zone
Fans enjoying the EURO 2024 atmosphere at the Berlin Fan Zone.
The official match ball of EURO 2024, FUSSBALLLIEBE, meaning “love of football” in German, was unveiled in November 2023. Developed by Adidas, it featured Connected Ball Technology for the first time in a EURO tournament, providing precise ball data.
Albärt the teddy bear was chosen as the official mascot for EURO 2024 after a vote involving UEFA.com users and schoolchildren. Albärt was introduced to fans in June 2023 and became a beloved symbol of the tournament.
Albärt EURO 2024 Mascot
Albärt, the official mascot, promoting the EURO 2024 volunteer program.
City ambassadors, including notable football figures and local personalities, were appointed for each host city to promote the tournament and engage with fans. A massive volunteer program saw 16,000 volunteers from 124 nations contribute to the success of EURO 2024, embodying the tournament motto: “United by football. Vereint im Herzen Europas.”
The official EURO 2024 song, “FIRE”, was created by Italian producers Meduza, American band OneRepublic, and German singer Leony. Released across streaming platforms, it captured the energy and passion of the tournament.
UEFA eEURO 2024, the esports version of the tournament, took place alongside the physical event, using EA SPORTS FC™ 24 as the official platform, further expanding the reach and engagement of EURO 2024.
In conclusion, EURO 2024 in Germany was a resounding success, showcasing top-level football, passionate fans, and innovative initiatives in sustainability and fan engagement. It was a tournament to remember, setting high standards for future UEFA European Championships.
