The UEFA EURO 2024 was hosted in Germany, marking the country’s first time staging the European Championship since reunification. West Germany previously hosted the EURO 1988. The decision to award the tournament to Germany was made at a UEFA Executive Committee meeting on September 27, 2018, in Nyon. Turkey was the only other nation bidding for the honor. Germany also has a history of hosting major football events, including the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
When Did EURO 2024 Take Place?
The EURO 2024 tournament spanned a month, commencing on June 14 and concluding on July 14, 2024. The group stage matches were played until June 26, followed by the knockout stage which began on June 29.
As the host nation, Germany was automatically placed in Group A as the top seed, position A1. This guaranteed they would play the opening match, which was a memorable 5-1 victory against Scotland. This game took place at the Munich Football Arena on Friday, June 14. Germany, including its time as West Germany, has been a consistent participant in every EURO tournament since 1972. Historically, West Germany won the EURO titles in 1972 and 1980, and a unified Germany won EURO ’96.
Which Teams Participated in EURO 2024?
The final tournament draw, setting the stage for exciting matchups, was conducted in Hamburg on Saturday, December 2, 2023. The composition of the groups was 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.
What Was the Format of EURO 2024?
EURO 2024 maintained the same tournament format as UEFA EURO 2020, ensuring a familiar and thrilling competition structure. 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, creating a dynamic knockout stage.
Where Was the EURO 2024 Final Held?
The prestigious EURO 2024 final was held in Berlin at the Olympiastadion on Sunday, July 14, 2024. Spain emerged victorious, defeating England 2-1 to secure their fourth EURO title. This win made Spain the first nation to achieve four European Championship titles.
Which Cities Hosted EURO 2024 Matches?
Ten cities across Germany were selected to host EURO 2024 matches. Notably, nine of these venues were also utilized for the 2006 World Cup, with the Düsseldorf Arena being the additional venue. The Munich Football Arena had the unique distinction of hosting EURO matches for the second consecutive tournament, having been one of the eleven stadiums used for UEFA EURO 2020.
EURO 2024 Host Cities and Stadiums:
- 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)
Aerial view of the ten EURO 2024 host cities in Germany
The ten UEFA EURO 2024 host cities from above.
What Were the Sustainability Efforts for EURO 2024?
Recognizing the growing importance of environmental and social responsibility in sports, UEFA EURO 2024 implemented a comprehensive sustainability strategy. The tournament aimed to set a benchmark for future events through specific actions and investments focused on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) aspects. Detailed information about the Environmental, Social and Governance strategy can be found on the UEFA website.
Were There Fan Zones at EURO 2024 Host Cities?
To enhance the fan experience, each host city set up dedicated fan zones equipped with public viewing areas. These zones became hubs for supporters to gather, watch matches together, and celebrate the EURO spirit.
Fans celebrating in the Berlin Fan Zone during a EURO 2024 match
Berlin’s Fan Zone at Platz der Republik, in front of the Reichstag, filled with supporters.
What Was the Official EURO 2024 Match Ball?
The official match ball for UEFA EURO 2024 was named FUSSBALLLIEBE. Unveiled in November 2023 by UEFA and Adidas in Berlin, the name FUSSBALLLIEBE is German for “love of football.” This ball marked a technological advancement as the first EURO match ball to feature adidas Connected Ball Technology.
Who Was the EURO 2024 Mascot?
Albärt, a teddy bear, was chosen as the official mascot for EURO 2024. The name Albärt was selected through a vote involving UEFA.com users and schoolchildren across Europe as part of the UEFA Football in Schools program. Albärt secured 32% of the votes. He was first introduced to German fans in Gelsenkirchen in June 2023 before a friendly match between Germany and Colombia.
Albärt mascot holding the EURO 2024 trophy during a city tour
Albärt, the official UEFA EURO 2024 mascot, on the trophy tour in Stuttgart.
Who Were the EURO 2024 City Ambassadors?
Each host city appointed ambassadors, often local football legends or personalities, to represent and promote the tournament:
- 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
Was There a EURO 2024 Volunteer Program?
The EURO 2024 volunteer program saw incredible interest, with over 146,000 applications received. Ultimately, 16,000 volunteers from 124 countries were selected to support the tournament. These volunteers played a crucial role in the ten host cities and stadiums, welcoming visitors from around the globe and embodying the tournament’s motto: ‘United by football. Vereint im Herzen Europas.’
Volunteers posing for a group photo at EURO 2024
16,000 volunteers contributed to the success of EURO 2024 across Germany.
What Was the Official EURO 2024 Song?
The official song for EURO 2024, titled “FIRE,” was a collaboration between Italian producers Meduza, American band OneRepublic, and German singer Leony. Released on all major streaming platforms, “FIRE” aimed to capture the passion and excitement of both football and music fans.
Was there eEURO 2024?
Yes, UEFA eEURO 2024 took place, beginning with online qualifiers in March 2024 and culminating in a final in Germany during the summer. EA SPORTS FC™ 24 served as the official platform for the eEURO 2024 competition, highlighting the growing intersection of football and esports.
In conclusion, EURO 2024 in Germany was a resounding success, utilizing world-class stadiums across ten vibrant host cities and engaging millions of fans both in-person and virtually. From sustainability initiatives to fan engagement and thrilling football action, EURO 2024 left a lasting positive impact.
