Germany proudly hosted the Euro Soccer Tournament 2024, officially known as the 17th edition of the UEFA European Championship. The decision to award Germany hosting rights was made at a UEFA Executive Committee meeting in Nyon on September 27, 2018. Türkiye was the only other contender in the bidding process. While West Germany previously hosted the 1988 edition, this marked the first time unified Germany staged the prestigious euro soccer tournament. The country also has a strong track record of hosting major football events, including the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
The EURO Soccer Tournament 2024 unfolded between June 14 and July 14, 2024. The tournament kicked off on June 14 with the group stage matches running until June 26. The knockout stage commenced shortly after, on June 29, adding to the excitement of this major euro soccer tournament.
As the host nation, Germany was automatically placed in Group A and assigned position A1. This guaranteed they would play the opening match – a thrilling 5-1 victory against Scotland – at the Munich Football Arena on Friday, June 14. Germany, including its West German history, boasts a consistent presence in the EUROs, participating in every edition since 1972. West Germany clinched victory in both the 1972 and 1980 tournaments, and a unified Germany again tasted success at EURO ’96, highlighting their strong pedigree in this euro soccer tournament.
The draw for the final tournament groups was a highly anticipated event, held in Hamburg on Saturday, December 2, 2023. The results determined the path for each team in their quest for the euro soccer tournament title.
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
The tournament format for EURO Soccer Tournament 2024 remained consistent with the successful structure of UEFA EURO 2020. 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, creating a competitive and exciting knockout phase in this euro soccer tournament.
The final match of the EURO Soccer Tournament 2024 was played in Berlin’s iconic Olympiastadion on Sunday, July 14, 2024. In a captivating final, Spain defeated England 2-1, securing their place in history as the first nation to win four EURO titles. This thrilling conclusion capped off a memorable euro soccer tournament.
Ten host cities across Germany were selected to stage matches for the EURO Soccer Tournament 2024. Remarkably, nine of these were also venues for the 2006 World Cup, demonstrating Germany’s well-established football infrastructure. Düsseldorf Arena was the additional venue, expanding the tournament’s reach.
Notably, Munich Football Arena had the unique distinction of hosting matches for the second consecutive EURO. This modern stadium, home to Bayern Munich, was among the eleven venues that held games during UEFA EURO 2020, and continued its role in showcasing top-level euro soccer tournament action.
EURO 2024: Host Cities
The host venues, each offering a unique atmosphere and passionate football fans, were:
Berlin: Olympiastadion Berlin (current capacity: 71,000). Berlin, the capital city, offered a historic backdrop for the euro soccer tournament matches.
Cologne: Cologne Stadium (43,000). Known for its vibrant carnival and football culture, Cologne brought a festive spirit to the euro soccer tournament.
Dortmund: BVB Stadion Dortmund (62,000). Home to the “Yellow Wall,” Dortmund’s stadium is famous for its incredible atmosphere, promising an electrifying experience for the euro soccer tournament.
Dusseldorf: Düsseldorf Arena (47,000). Düsseldorf, a modern city on the Rhine, added a contemporary touch to the list of euro soccer tournament host cities.
Frankfurt: Frankfurt Arena (47,000). A major financial hub, Frankfurt offered a cosmopolitan setting for the euro soccer tournament matches.
Gelsenkirchen: Arena AufSchalke (50,000). Located in the heart of the Ruhr region, Gelsenkirchen is steeped in football tradition, adding to the authenticity of the euro soccer tournament.
Hamburg: Volksparkstadion Hamburg (49,000). A port city with a strong maritime history, Hamburg contributed its unique northern German charm to the euro soccer tournament.
Leipzig: Leipzig Stadium (40,000). Representing eastern Germany, Leipzig brought a youthful and dynamic energy to the euro soccer tournament.
Munich: Munich Football Arena (66,000). Bavaria’s capital, Munich, is synonymous with football excellence, offering a world-class experience for the euro soccer tournament.
Stuttgart: Stuttgart Arena (51,000). Surrounded by rolling hills and vineyards, Stuttgart provided a scenic backdrop for the euro soccer tournament.
Map of the ten host cities for the EURO Soccer Tournament 2024 in Germany, highlighting Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, and other venues.
Sustainability was a key focus for the EURO Soccer Tournament 2024 organizers. Reflecting growing societal expectations for environmentally and socially responsible events, UEFA EURO 2024 aimed to set a benchmark through various sustainability initiatives and investments. Details of the comprehensive Environmental, Social and Governance strategy are available here.
Fan zones were an integral part of the EURO Soccer Tournament 2024 experience. Each host city created dedicated fan zones equipped with public viewing areas, allowing supporters to gather, celebrate, and soak in the atmosphere of this major euro soccer tournament.
Excited fans in the Berlin Fan Zone at Platz der Republik, in front of the Reichstag, during the EURO Soccer Tournament 2024 match between Germany and Scotland.
The official match ball for the EURO Soccer Tournament 2024 was named FUSSBALLLIEBE. This innovative ball, used throughout the tournament, was unveiled in November 2023 by UEFA and adidas at a special event in front of Berlin’s Olympiastadion. “FUSSBALLLIEBE,” German for “love of football,” featured adidas Connected Ball Technology for the first time in a EURO euro soccer tournament, enhancing match analysis and performance insights.
Albärt, a charming teddy bear, was chosen as the official mascot for EURO Soccer Tournament 2024. Albärt’s name was the result of a vote involving UEFA.com users and schoolchildren across Europe through the UEFA Football in Schools program. This lovable mascot, winning 32% of the vote, was first introduced to German fans in Gelsenkirchen in June 2023, ahead of a national team friendly match, becoming a recognizable symbol of the euro soccer tournament.
Albärt, the official UEFA EURO Soccer Tournament 2024 mascot, posing with the trophy during a tour in Stuttgart.
Each host city for the EURO Soccer Tournament 2024 had dedicated city ambassadors, prominent local figures who represented and promoted their city’s involvement in the tournament.
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 played a crucial role in the success of the EURO Soccer Tournament 2024. An impressive 146,000 football enthusiasts applied to volunteer, with 16,000 selected from 124 nations. These dedicated volunteers were present in all ten host cities and stadiums, greeting guests from around the world and embodying the tournament’s motto: ‘United by football. Vereint im Herzen Europas.’ Their contribution was essential in making the euro soccer tournament a welcoming and memorable experience for everyone.
A group of EURO Soccer Tournament 2024 volunteers smiling and posing for a photo, representing the diverse and dedicated team behind the event.
The official song of EURO Soccer Tournament 2024, titled “FIRE,” added to the tournament’s vibrant atmosphere. This energetic track, a collaboration between Italian producers Meduza, American pop-rock band OneRepublic, and German singer-songwriter Leony, was released on all major streaming platforms. Written by Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic and produced by Meduza, “FIRE” blended anthemic house music, compelling pop-rock soundscapes, and pop expertise, capturing the passion and excitement of football and music fans throughout the euro soccer tournament.
UEFA eEURO 2024, the esports version of the tournament, also took place. The online qualifiers began in March 2024, culminating in the final in Germany during the summer. EA SPORTS FC™ 24 served as the official platform for UEFA eEURO 2024, extending the reach of the euro soccer tournament into the digital world.
