The UEFA European Championship, widely known as the Euros, is one of the most prestigious international football tournaments in the world. The 2024 edition, often referred to as The Euros 2024, marked the 17th iteration of this quadrennial competition. Football fans across the globe eagerly anticipated this tournament, and Germany stepped up to host this major sporting event. But where exactly was the Euros 2024 held, and what were the key details surrounding this exciting football spectacle? Let’s dive into everything you need to know about the Euros 2024.
Germany: Host Nation of the Euros 2024
Germany was selected as the host nation for the Euros 2024, a decision made at a UEFA Executive Committee meeting in Nyon on September 27, 2018. The bid from Germany surpassed the only other contender, Türkiye, showcasing Germany’s strong infrastructure and passion for football. While West Germany had previously hosted the 1988 edition, this Euros 2024 was the first time unified Germany had the honor of staging the UEFA European Championship. Germany’s experience in hosting major international events, including the successful 2006 FIFA World Cup, made them a prime choice for the Euros 2024.
Euros 2024 Tournament Dates: A Month of Football Fever
The Euros 2024 captivated audiences for a full month, kicking off on June 14, 2024, and culminating in the final match on July 14, 2024. The tournament structure began with the group stage, which ran until June 26, followed by the knockout stage commencing on June 29.
As the host nation, Germany was automatically placed in Group A and assigned to position A1. This ensured they played the opening match, a thrilling 5-1 victory against Scotland, at the Munich Football Arena on Friday, June 14. Germany boasts a rich history in the Euros, having participated in every tournament since 1972 (including West Germany). Their past successes include West Germany winning the 1972 and 1980 editions, and a unified Germany triumphing at EURO ’96, further building anticipation for their performance as hosts of the Euros 2024.
EURO 2024 Qualified Teams and Groups: The Road to Glory
The draw for the Euros 2024 final tournament took place in Hamburg on Saturday, December 2, 2023, setting the stage for the competition. The qualified teams were divided into six groups, each promising intense matchups and exciting football action.
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 the play-offs, adding an extra layer of drama and excitement to the final lineup for the Euros 2024.
Tournament Format: Path to the Euros 2024 Championship
The format of the Euros 2024 remained consistent with UEFA EURO 2020, ensuring a familiar and exciting structure for fans and teams alike. The top two teams from each of the six groups automatically advanced to the round of 16. Joining them were the four best third-placed teams from across all groups, creating a competitive and dynamic knockout stage. This format ensured that every match in the group stage was crucial, and the knockout rounds were filled with high-stakes drama as teams battled for a place in the Euros 2024 final.
The EURO 2024 Final: Berlin’s Olympiastadion Showdown
The grand finale of the Euros 2024 was hosted at Berlin’s iconic Olympiastadion 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. The choice of Berlin’s Olympiastadion, steeped in history and capable of holding large crowds, underscored the significance of the Euros 2024 final as a major sporting event.
Host Cities and Venues: Spreading the Euros 2024 Across Germany
To accommodate the expansive Euros 2024 tournament, ten host cities across Germany were selected, utilizing a mix of modern and historically significant stadiums. Nine of these venues were also used during the 2006 World Cup, demonstrating Germany’s continued investment in top-tier football infrastructure. The Düsseldorf Arena was the additional venue, rounding out the list of host stadiums.
Aerial view of the ten EURO 2024 host cities in Germany
The ten EURO 2024 host cities spread across Germany, showcasing the nation’s football passion and infrastructure.
Notably, the Munich Football Arena had the unique distinction of hosting matches for the second consecutive Euros, having been one of the eleven venues for UEFA EURO 2020.
The EURO 2024 host cities and their stadiums 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)
These cities and stadiums provided a diverse and vibrant backdrop for the Euros 2024, ensuring fans across Germany could experience the tournament atmosphere.
Sustainability Measures: A Green Euros 2024
Recognizing the growing importance of environmental and social responsibility, UEFA implemented comprehensive sustainability measures for the Euros 2024. The tournament aimed to set a benchmark for future sporting events by integrating an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy. This commitment reflected a broader societal expectation for football to actively contribute to sustainability efforts. Details of the full strategy can be found in UEFA’s official documentation, highlighting the Euros 2024 ambition to be both a thrilling sporting event and a responsible one.
Fan Zones: Experiencing the Euros 2024 Atmosphere
To enhance the fan experience, each Euros 2024 host city established dedicated fan zones equipped with public viewing areas. These fan zones became hubs of activity, welcoming supporters and creating a vibrant atmosphere throughout the tournament. They provided spaces for fans to gather, watch matches together, and celebrate the spirit of the Euros 2024.
Fans celebrating in a EURO 2024 fan zone in Berlin
Football fans enjoying the electric atmosphere in Berlin’s EURO 2024 fan zone, located at Platz der Republik in front of the Reichstag.
Berlin’s Fan Zone, situated at Platz der Republik in front of the Reichstag, was a prime example, drawing massive crowds and embodying the collective excitement of the Euros 2024.
FUSSBALLLIEBE: The Official EURO 2024 Match Ball
The official match ball of the Euros 2024 was named FUSSBALLLIEBE, a German term meaning “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. This innovative technology added a new dimension to the game, providing precise ball data and enhancing match analysis. The name and technology of the ball underscored the passion and innovation associated with the Euros 2024.
Albärt: The EURO 2024 Mascot
The official mascot for the Euros 2024 was Albärt, a teddy bear chosen through a vote involving UEFA.com users and schoolchildren across Europe. Albärt won 32% of the vote, becoming a friendly and recognizable symbol of the tournament. First introduced to German fans in Gelsenkirchen in June 2023, Albärt participated in promotional activities and engaged with fans, particularly young audiences, helping to build excitement and a family-friendly atmosphere around the Euros 2024.
Albärt, the teddy bear mascot for UEFA EURO 2024, posing with the trophy
Albärt, the official mascot of UEFA EURO 2024, brings a playful and engaging element to the tournament.
City Ambassadors: Local Heroes for EURO 2024
Each host city for the Euros 2024 appointed city ambassadors, prominent local figures from sports and culture, to represent and promote the tournament. These ambassadors played a vital role in connecting the Euros 2024 with local communities and enhancing the tournament’s profile within each city.
The city ambassadors were:
- 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
Volunteers: The Heart of EURO 2024
Volunteers were an integral part of the Euros 2024, with 16,000 individuals selected from over 146,000 applications. Hailing from 124 nations, these volunteers contributed to the smooth running of the tournament across the ten host cities. They embodied the spirit of the Euros 2024 motto, “United by football. Vereint im Herzen Europas,” welcoming guests from around the world and ensuring a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere.
Volunteers at EURO 2024 representing the spirit of unity and football passion
The 16,000 volunteers at EURO 2024 played a crucial role in the tournament’s success, embodying the motto ‘United by football. Vereint im Herzen Europas.’
FIRE: The Official EURO 2024 Song
The official song for the Euros 2024 was FIRE, a collaboration by Italian producers Meduza, American pop-rock band OneRepublic, and German singer-songwriter Leony. Released across streaming platforms, FIRE aimed to capture the energy and passion of football and music fans. Produced by Meduza and co-written by OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder, the song blended anthemic house, pop-rock, and pop elements, creating an upbeat and memorable soundtrack for the Euros 2024.
eEURO 2024: Esports and the Euros
Expanding its reach into esports, UEFA also hosted eEURO 2024, with online qualifiers beginning in March 2024 and the final tournament taking place in Germany during the summer. Using EA SPORTS FC™ 24 as the official platform, eEURO 2024 provided a parallel competition for esports enthusiasts, further engaging a younger audience and integrating digital football into the Euros 2024 experience.
In conclusion, the Euros 2024 in Germany was a resounding success, filled with thrilling football action, vibrant fan experiences, and a celebration of European football culture. From the host cities to the mascot, every aspect of the tournament was carefully planned to deliver a memorable event for players and fans worldwide.
