Germany stepped up as host for EURO 2024, marking the 17th edition of the UEFA European Championship. The decision was finalized at a UEFA Executive Committee meeting in Nyon on September 27, 2018, where Germany’s bid surpassed Türkiye’s. While West Germany previously hosted EURO 1988, this event was the first time unified Germany had the honor, echoing their successful hosting of the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
The ten UEFA EURO 2024 host cities
The ten UEFA EURO 2024 host cities
EURO 2024 Dates and Key Milestones
Football fans marked their calendars from June 14 to July 14, 2024, as EURO 2024 unfolded across Germany. The tournament kicked off on June 14, culminating in the final on July 14. The group stage action wrapped up on June 26, paving the way for the knockout rounds starting on June 29.
As the host nation, Germany automatically secured a spot in Group A, positioned at A1. They inaugurated the tournament with a memorable 5-1 victory against Scotland at the Munich Football Arena on Friday, June 14. Germany, including its West German history, has been a consistent presence in every EURO since 1972. Their legacy includes EURO victories in 1972 and 1980 as West Germany, and a further triumph as unified Germany at EURO ’96.
The final tournament draw, a highly anticipated event, took place in Hamburg on Saturday, December 2, 2023, setting the stage for the competition.
The groups were structured as follows:
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 play-offs.
Tournament Format: Familiar and Thrilling
EURO 2024 maintained the format that proved successful in 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, ensuring a competitive and exciting knockout phase. This structure is expected to be a blueprint for the Next Euro Championship as well, promising continued excitement for fans.
Berlin Hosts the EURO 2024 Final
The iconic Olympiastadion in Berlin was selected to host the EURO 2024 final on Sunday, July 14, 2024. In a thrilling match, Spain emerged victorious against England with a 2-1 scoreline. This win marked Spain’s fourth EURO title, making them the first nation to achieve this milestone. The choice of Berlin for the final emphasized the city’s significance in German football history and its capacity to host major international events, a factor that will likely be considered for venues of the next Euro Championship.
EURO 2024 Host Cities: A German Showcase
Ten cities across Germany were chosen as host venues, highlighting the nation’s diverse and passionate football culture. Nine of these stadiums were also utilized during the 2006 World Cup, demonstrating Germany’s established infrastructure for large-scale tournaments. Düsseldorf Arena was the additional venue, rounding out the list.
Munich Football Arena achieved a unique distinction by hosting EURO matches for the second consecutive tournament, having been one of the eleven venues for UEFA EURO 2020.
The EURO 2024 host cities were:
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 and Fan Engagement at EURO 2024
Reflecting a growing global awareness, EURO 2024 placed a strong emphasis on social and environmental sustainability. UEFA aimed to set a benchmark through various targeted measures and investments, detailed in their Environmental, Social and Governance strategy. This focus on sustainability is expected to be a continuing trend in the organization of the next Euro Championship and future major football tournaments.
To enhance fan experience, each host city created dedicated fan zones with public viewing areas. These zones became hubs of excitement, allowing supporters to gather and celebrate the tournament atmosphere.
Berlin
Berlin’s Fan Zone was at Platz der Republik, Berlin-Tiergarten (in front of the Reichstag)AFP via Getty Images
Official Match Ball, Mascot, and Volunteers
FUSSBALLLIEBE, meaning “love of football” in German, was the official match ball of UEFA EURO 2024. Unveiled in Berlin in November 2023, it featured adidas Connected Ball Technology for the first time in a EURO tournament.
Albärt, a teddy bear, was chosen as the official mascot after a vote involving UEFA.com users and schoolchildren. Albärt was introduced to fans in June 2023 and quickly became a beloved symbol of the tournament.
Albärt, the official UEFA EURO 2024 mascot
Albärt, the official UEFA EURO 2024 mascotUEFA via Getty Images
An impressive 16,000 volunteers from 124 nations were selected from over 146,000 applicants to support EURO 2024. These volunteers played a vital role in welcoming guests and 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
EURO 2024 Anthem and eEURO
The official song, “FIRE,” a collaboration between Italian producers Meduza, OneRepublic, and German singer Leony, captured the energy of EURO 2024.
UEFA eEURO 2024, using EA SPORTS FC™ 24 as the official platform, saw online qualifiers in March 2024 and concluded with the final in Germany, further expanding the reach of the EURO brand into esports.
Looking Forward to the Next Euro Championship
EURO 2024 in Germany was a resounding success, setting a high standard for future tournaments. As fans look ahead to the next Euro Championship, the legacy of EURO 2024 – from its vibrant host cities and passionate volunteers to its focus on sustainability and fan engagement – provides a strong foundation. The anticipation is already building for where and when the next Euro Championship will take place, promising another exciting chapter in European football history.
