Germany proudly hosted EURO 2024, marking the 17th edition of the prestigious UEFA European Championship. The decision to award hosting rights to Germany was finalized at a UEFA Executive Committee meeting in Nyon on September 27, 2018. The only other contender in the bidding process was Türkiye. While West Germany had previously hosted EURO 1988, this tournament was the first time a unified Germany had the honor of staging the European Championship. The nation’s strong football infrastructure was further highlighted by their successful hosting of the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
Key Dates for EURO 2024 in Germany
The EURO 2024 tournament in Germany spanned a full month of thrilling football action, commencing on June 14 and culminating on July 14, 2024. The group stage matches kept fans on the edge of their seats until June 26, followed swiftly by the knockout stage which began on June 29.
As the host nation, Germany automatically secured a spot in Group A and was designated to position A1. This meant they had the privilege of playing 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 tournament since 1972. Their impressive EURO history includes West Germany’s victories in 1972 and 1980, and a further triumph for the reunified Germany at EURO ’96.
EURO 2024 Qualifying Teams
The highly anticipated draw for the EURO 2024 final tournament took place in Hamburg on Saturday, December 2, 2023, setting the stage for the competition.
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
EURO 2024 Tournament Format
The tournament format mirrored 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, ensuring a competitive and exciting knockout phase.
The EURO 2024 Final Venue in Germany
The iconic Olympiastadion in Berlin was selected to host the EURO 2024 final on Sunday, July 14, 2024. In a thrilling match, Spain defeated England 2-1, securing their place in history as the first team to win four EURO titles.
EURO 2024 Host Cities Across Germany
Ten vibrant cities across Germany were chosen as host venues for EURO 2024. Impressively, nine of these stadiums were also utilized during the 2006 World Cup, showcasing Germany’s consistent ability to host major football events. The Düsseldorf Arena was the additional venue, completing the list of top-tier stadiums.
Notably, the Munich Football Arena had the unique distinction of hosting EURO matches for the second consecutive tournament. This stadium, home to Bayern Munich, was among the eleven venues that hosted games during UEFA EURO 2020, highlighting its continued importance in European football.
Aerial view of the ten UEFA EURO 2024 host cities stadiums in Germany
The ten UEFA EURO 2024 host cities in Germany offered a diverse range of stadium experiences for fans.
EURO 2024 Host Venues:
- 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 at the Forefront of EURO 2024 Germany
Recognizing the growing global emphasis on sustainability, EURO 2024 in Germany aimed to set a new benchmark for environmentally and socially responsible sporting events. UEFA implemented targeted measures and investments as part of a comprehensive Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy. Details of the full ESG strategy can be found here.
Fan Zones in Germany for EURO 2024
To enhance the fan experience, each host city in Germany created dedicated fan zones equipped with large public viewing screens. These zones became vibrant hubs for supporters to gather, celebrate, and enjoy the EURO 2024 atmosphere.
Enthusiastic fans in the Berlin Fan Zone during EURO 2024 match between Germany and Scotland
Berlin’s Fan Zone at Platz der Republik, in front of the Reichstag, provided a central location for fans to experience EURO 2024.
The Official EURO 2024 Match Ball
FUSSBALLLIEBE, meaning “love of football” in German, was the official match ball of UEFA EURO 2024. Unveiled in November 2023 by UEFA and adidas in Berlin, it incorporated adidas Connected Ball Technology for the first time in a EURO tournament, adding a new dimension to the game. More information about the official match ball can be found here.
Albärt: The EURO 2024 Mascot
Albärt, a charming teddy bear, was chosen as the official mascot for EURO 2024 through a public vote involving UEFA.com users and schoolchildren across Europe. Winning 32% of the vote, Albärt was introduced to German fans in Gelsenkirchen in June 2023, quickly becoming a beloved symbol of the tournament.
Albärt teddy bear mascot posing with the UEFA EURO 2024 trophy during a tour stop in Stuttgart, Germany
Albärt, the official UEFA EURO 2024 mascot, brought joy and excitement to fans throughout Germany.
EURO 2024 City Ambassadors
Each host city in Germany appointed city ambassadors, prominent figures in sports and local culture, to represent and promote EURO 2024:
- 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
The EURO 2024 Volunteer Program in Germany
A remarkable 16,000 volunteers, selected from over 146,000 applicants, played a crucial role in the success of EURO 2024. Representing Germany in the ten host cities, these volunteers welcomed guests from around the world and embodied the tournament’s motto: ‘United by football. Vereint im Herzen Europas.’
16,000 volunteers contributed to the smooth operation and welcoming atmosphere of EURO 2024 in Germany.
“FIRE”: The Official EURO 2024 Song
“FIRE,” a collaboration between Italian producers Meduza, American band OneRepublic, and German singer Leony, served as the official EURO 2024 song. Released on all major streaming platforms, the song captured the energy and passion of football and music fans alike. Listen to the song and learn more here.
eEURO 2024
UEFA eEURO 2024, the esports version of the tournament, took place alongside the physical event. Qualifiers began online in March 2024, and the final was held in Germany, utilizing EA SPORTS FC™ 24 as the official platform. Details about UEFA eEURO 2024 can be found here.
