Germany successfully hosted EURO 2024, marking the 17th edition of the prestigious UEFA European Championship. The decision to award the tournament to Germany was made at a UEFA Executive Committee meeting in Nyon on September 27, 2018. Interestingly, Türkiye was the only other nation in contention to host EURO 2024. While West Germany had previously hosted the 1988 edition, this EURO 2024 was the first time unified Germany staged the tournament. The nation also has a strong history of hosting major football events, having organized the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
When Did EURO 2024 Take Place?
Football fans marked their calendars for EURO 2024 which kicked off on June 14, 2024, and culminated exactly a month later on July 14, 2024, with the final match. The group stage action was intense and ran until June 26, setting the stage for the knockout rounds which began on June 29.
As the host nation, Germany was automatically placed in Group A and assigned to position A1. This meant they had the honor of playing the opening match at the Munich Football Arena on Friday, June 14. Germany began their EURO 2024 campaign with an impressive 5-1 victory against Scotland. Germany, including its West German history, boasts a consistent presence at the EUROs, participating in every edition since 1972. They have a rich tournament history, with West Germany winning the 1972 and 1980 titles, and a unified Germany adding another victory at EURO ’96.
Which Teams Participated in EURO 2024?
The draw to determine the final tournament groups was a highly anticipated event, held in Hamburg on Saturday, December 2, 2023. The groups were drawn 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 (*) earned their place in the tournament through the play-offs.
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What Was the Format of EURO 2024?
EURO 2024 maintained the same exciting tournament format as UEFA EURO 2020. The competition began with six groups in the group stage. The top two teams from each group automatically advanced to the round of 16. Adding to the excitement, the four best third-placed teams across all groups also qualified for the knockout stage, ensuring a thrilling path to the final.
Where Was the EURO 2024 Final Held?
The grand finale of EURO 2024 took place in Berlin at the iconic Olympiastadion on Sunday, July 14, 2024. In a thrilling match, Spain triumphed over England with a 2-1 victory, securing their place in history as the first team to win four EURO titles.
Which Cities Hosted EURO 2024 Matches?
Ten vibrant cities across Germany were selected as host cities for EURO 2024, utilizing a mix of modern and historically significant stadiums. Notably, nine of the venues were also used for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, demonstrating Germany’s established football infrastructure. Düsseldorf Arena was the additional venue selected to complete the list.
Munich Football Arena held a unique distinction by hosting matches for the second consecutive EURO tournament. This stadium, home to Bayern Munich, was among the eleven venues that hosted games during UEFA EURO 2020, showcasing its continued importance in European football.
Here’s a list of The Euro 2024 host cities and their stadiums:
EURO 2024 Host Cities and Stadiums:
- Berlin: Olympiastadion Berlin (Capacity: 71,000)
- Cologne: Cologne Stadium (43,000)
- Dortmund: BVB Stadion Dortmund (62,000)
- Dusseldorf: Düsseldorf Arena (47,000)
- Frankfurt: Frankfurt Arena (47,000)
- Gelsenkirchen: Arena AufSchalke (50,000)
- Hamburg: Volksparkstadion Hamburg (49,000)
- Leipzig: Leipzig Stadium (40,000)
- Munich: Munich Football Arena (66,000)
- Stuttgart: Stuttgart Arena (51,000)
Panoramic view of the ten EURO 2024 host cities across Germany
The diverse locations of the EURO 2024 host cities across Germany ensured wide participation and celebration of the tournament.
What Sustainability Initiatives Were Implemented at EURO 2024?
Reflecting the growing global emphasis on environmental and social responsibility, EURO 2024 placed a strong focus on sustainability. UEFA aimed to set a benchmark for major sporting events by implementing targeted sustainability measures and investments throughout the tournament. Detailed information about these initiatives can be found in the full Environmental, Social and Governance strategy.
Were EURO 2024 Fan Zones Available in Germany?
To enhance the fan experience and create a festive atmosphere, each host city set up dedicated fan zones. These vibrant public areas were equipped with large screens broadcasting the matches live, allowing fans to gather and cheer on their favorite teams together.
Excited fans in Berlin's EURO 2024 Fan Zone at Platz der Republik, in front of the Reichstag, during a Germany match.
The Berlin Fan Zone offered a central location for supporters to experience the EURO 2024 excitement.
What Was the Official EURO 2024 Match Ball?
The official match ball of UEFA EURO 2024 was named FUSSBALLLIEBE, which translates from German to “love of football.” Unveiled in November 2023 by UEFA and adidas at a special event in Berlin, FUSSBALLLIEBE incorporated adidas Connected Ball Technology for the first time in a EURO tournament. This innovative technology provided precise ball data, enhancing match analysis and the viewing experience.
Who Was the EURO 2024 Mascot?
The official mascot for EURO 2024 was Albärt, a charming teddy bear. Albärt’s name was chosen through a public vote involving UEFA.com users and schoolchildren across Europe as part of the UEFA Football in Schools program. Albärt secured 32% of the vote, proving popular with fans of all ages. He was first introduced to German fans in Gelsenkirchen in June 2023 during a friendly match between Germany and Colombia.
Albärt the EURO 2024 mascot, pictured during the trophy tour in Stuttgart, engaging with fans.
Albärt, the EURO 2024 mascot, brought fun and excitement to the tournament, appealing to younger audiences and families.
Who Were the EURO 2024 City Ambassadors?
Each host city appointed ambassadors, prominent figures with connections to the city and football, to represent EURO 2024. These ambassadors played a role in promoting the tournament and engaging with local communities.
EURO 2024 City Ambassadors:
- 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
Was There a EURO 2024 Volunteer Program?
The EURO 2024 volunteer program was a resounding success, attracting over 146,000 applications from passionate football enthusiasts. Ultimately, 16,000 volunteers from 124 different nations were selected to support the tournament.
These volunteers were essential to the smooth running of EURO 2024 across the ten host cities and stadiums. They welcomed guests from around the globe and played a vital role in embodying the tournament’s motto: ‘United by football. Vereint im Herzen Europas.’ (United in the Heart of Europe).
A diverse group of EURO 2024 volunteers smiling and celebrating their involvement in the tournament.
The EURO 2024 volunteers were the heart of the tournament, contributing significantly to its welcoming and inclusive atmosphere.
What Was the Official EURO 2024 Song?
The official song of EURO 2024, titled FIRE, was a collaboration between Italian producers Meduza, American pop-rock band OneRepublic, and German singer-songwriter Leony. Released on all major streaming platforms, FIRE was written by Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic and produced by Meduza. The song effectively blended anthemic house music, pop-rock, and pop elements to capture the passion and excitement of both football and music fans.
Was There an eEURO Competition for EURO 2024?
Yes, UEFA eEURO 2024, the esports version of the tournament, was held. The online qualifiers commenced in March 2024 and culminated with the finals in Germany during the summer. EA SPORTS FC™ 24 served as the official platform for UEFA eEURO 2024, showcasing the growing intersection of football and esports.
