Germany proudly hosted the UEFA EURO 2024, marking the 17th edition of this prestigious European Championship. The decision to award Germany as the host nation was made 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 Germany had hosted the European Championship since its reunification. The nation’s strong football heritage is further underscored by their hosting of the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
EURO 2024 Tournament Timeline and Key Dates
Football fans across the globe eagerly anticipated the UEFA EURO 2024 final tournament, which kicked off on June 14, 2024, and concluded on July 14, 2024. The group stage matches were completed by June 26, setting the stage for the knockout rounds which commenced on June 29.
As the host country, Germany was automatically placed in Group A, designated to position A1. This ensured they played the highly anticipated opening match – a dominant 5-1 victory against Scotland – at the Munich Football Arena on Friday, June 14. Germany, including its history as West Germany, boasts a consistent presence at every EURO tournament since 1972. Their rich EURO history includes victories in 1972 and 1980 as West Germany, and a further triumph as reunified Germany at EURO ’96, highlighting their enduring legacy in European football.
EURO 2024 Qualified Teams and Group Overview
The draw for the final tournament groups was a significant event, held in Hamburg on Saturday, December 2, 2023. The competing nations were divided into six compelling 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 (*) successfully qualified through the play-offs, adding an extra layer of drama and determination to their journey to EURO 2024.
Understanding the EURO 2024 Tournament Format
The tournament format for EURO 2024 mirrored the successful structure of UEFA EURO 2020. This format ensures a thrilling and competitive path to the final. From the group stage, the top two teams from each of the six groups automatically advanced to the round of 16. They were joined by the four best third-placed teams from across all groups, creating a dynamic and inclusive knockout stage. This structure maximizes excitement and gives more teams a chance to progress deep into the tournament.
The EURO 2024 Final Venue and Result
The grand finale of EURO 2024 took place in Berlin’s iconic Olympiastadion on Sunday, July 14, 2024. In a thrilling match, Spain emerged victorious against England with a 2-1 scoreline, claiming their fourth EURO title and becoming the first nation to achieve this milestone in European Championship history.
EURO 2024 Host Cities and Stadiums Across Germany
Ten vibrant cities across Germany were selected to host the EURO 2024 matches. These venues included nine stadiums that had previously hosted games during the 2006 World Cup, supplemented by the modern Düsseldorf Arena. Notably, the Munich Football Arena had the unique distinction of hosting matches for the second consecutive EURO tournament, having been among the eleven stadiums used for UEFA EURO 2020.
EURO 2024 Host Cities:
- 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)
Each city offered a unique atmosphere and contributed to the overall excitement of the Football Euro 2024 experience.
Aerial view of the ten UEFA EURO 2024 host cities in Germany, showcasing stadium locations.
Sustainability Initiatives at Football EURO 2024
Reflecting a growing global awareness of environmental and social responsibility in sports, UEFA EURO 2024 prioritized sustainability. The tournament organizers implemented various measures and investments aimed at setting a benchmark for social and environmental sustainability in football events. Detailed information about the Environmental, Social and Governance strategy can be found here.
EURO 2024 Fan Zones: A Hub for Supporters
To enhance the fan experience, each host city established dedicated fan zones equipped with public viewing areas. These zones became vibrant hubs for supporters to gather, celebrate, and enjoy the football euro 2024 atmosphere together, regardless of whether they had tickets to the matches.
Enthusiastic football fans in Berlin's EURO 2024 Fan Zone at Platz der Republik, in front of the Reichstag, during a Germany match.
FUSSBALLLIEBE: The Official Match Ball of EURO 2024
The official match ball for UEFA EURO 2024 was named FUSSBALLLIEBE, which translates from German to “love of football.” Unveiled in November 2023 by UEFA and Adidas in Berlin, FUSSBALLLIEBE featured Adidas Connected Ball Technology for the first time in a EURO tournament, adding a layer of technological innovation to the games.
Albärt: The EURO 2024 Mascot
The official mascot for the tournament was named Albärt – a friendly teddy bear who won 32% of votes in a poll conducted among UEFA.com users and schoolchildren. Albärt was introduced to German fans in Gelsenkirchen in June 2023, becoming a visible and popular symbol of football EURO 2024.
Albärt, the official mascot for UEFA EURO 2024, posing with the Henri Delaunay Trophy during a promotional event.
City Ambassadors for EURO 2024
Each host city appointed ambassadors, prominent figures from sports and culture, to represent and promote EURO 2024. These ambassadors played a crucial role in connecting with local communities and enhancing the tournament’s visibility. The city 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
The EURO 2024 Volunteer Programme
An impressive 16,000 volunteers were selected from over 146,000 applicants to support EURO 2024. These volunteers, representing 124 nations, were essential to the smooth operation of the tournament. They welcomed guests, provided assistance, and embodied the tournament’s motto: ‘United by football. Vereint im Herzen Europas.’
A group photograph of EURO 2024 volunteers in their official uniforms, smiling and representing the diverse team supporting the event.
FIRE: The Official EURO 2024 Song
The official song of EURO 2024, titled FIRE, was a collaboration between Italian producers Meduza, American band OneRepublic, and German singer Leony. Released on all streaming platforms, the song aimed to capture the energy and passion of football and music fans alike, becoming the soundtrack to football euro 2024.
eEURO 2024: Expanding the Tournament to Esports
UEFA eEURO 2024, played on EA SPORTS FC™ 24, extended the EURO excitement into the virtual realm. Qualifiers began online in March 2024 and culminated in a final held in Germany during the summer, showcasing the growing intersection of football and esports.
