Football fans around the globe are eagerly anticipating the UEFA European Championship, commonly known as Euro 2024. As the excitement builds, one of the most frequently asked questions is, “When Does The Euro 2024 Start?” This article provides you with all the essential details about the Euro 2024 start date, key match dates, and everything you need to know to follow this prestigious tournament.
Euro 2024 Start Date and Key Tournament Information
Euro 2024 is scheduled to start on Friday, 14 June 2024, with the opening match taking place in Munich, Germany. This highly anticipated tournament will run for a month, culminating in the final on Sunday, 14 July 2024, in Berlin. Germany, a nation renowned for its football passion and infrastructure, will be the proud host of this edition of the European Championship.
The tournament will feature 24 of Europe’s top national teams, competing across ten world-class stadiums in ten host cities throughout Germany. These cities include iconic football locations such as Berlin, Munich, Dortmund, and Hamburg, ensuring a vibrant and geographically diverse tournament experience for both players and fans.
Euro 2024 Match Schedule: Key Dates and Stages
To fully appreciate when does the Euro 2024 start, it’s helpful to understand the overall tournament schedule. The competition is structured into distinct stages, each building towards the final showdown:
Group Stage: June 14 – June 26, 2024
The Euro 2024 tournament kicks off with the group stage. This initial phase sees the 24 participating teams divided into six groups of four teams each (Group A to Group F). During the group stage, each team plays against every other team in their group once. Matches will be held daily, providing a feast of football action right from the start. The group stage is crucial as it determines which teams will advance to the knockout rounds.
On June 14, the tournament begins with the opening match:
June 14: Germany 5-1 Scotland (Munich)
The group stage continues with exciting matches across all groups, such as:
June 15:
- Spain 3-0 Croatia (Berlin)
- Italy 2-1 Albania (Dortmund)
June 16:
- Poland 1-2 Netherlands (Hamburg)
- England 1-0 Serbia (Gelsenkirchen)
and many more thrilling encounters until June 26.
Round of 16: June 29 – July 2, 2024
Following the group stage, the top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed teams, advance to the knockout stage, beginning with the Round of 16. This is where the competition intensifies, as it becomes a win-or-go-home scenario for every team. The Round of 16 matches are scheduled from June 29 to July 2.
Some key matches from the Round of 16 include:
June 29:
- Switzerland 2-0 Italy (Berlin)
- Germany 2-0 Denmark (Dortmund)
June 30:
- England 2-1 Slovakia (aet) (Gelsenkirchen)
- Spain 4-1 Georgia (Cologne)
Quarter-finals: July 5 & 6, 2024
The winners of the Round of 16 clashes proceed to the Quarter-finals. These matches are played over two days, July 5 and July 6, further narrowing down the contenders for the Euro 2024 title.
July 5:
- Spain 2-1 Germany (aet) (Stuttgart)
- Portugal 0-0 France (aet, 3-5 on pens) (Hamburg)
July 6:
- England 1-1 Switzerland (aet, 5-3 on pens) (Düsseldorf)
- Netherlands 2-1 Türkiye (Berlin)
Semi-finals: July 9 & 10, 2024
The final four teams battle it out in the Semi-finals, held on July 9 and July 10. These matches are crucial, determining who will compete for the ultimate prize in the final.
July 9: Spain 2-1 France (Munich)
July 10: Netherlands 1-2 England (Dortmund)
Final: July 14, 2024
The grand finale of Euro 2024 takes place on Sunday, 14 July 2024, in Berlin. This is the match that every team dreams of reaching, and it promises to be a spectacular conclusion to a month of top-tier European football.
July 14: Spain 2-1 England (Berlin)
How to Stay Updated on Euro 2024
To keep up with all the action from when Euro 2024 starts until the final whistle, you can:
- Visit the Official UEFA EURO 2024 Website: The best source for real-time updates, schedules, results, and news.
- Follow Live Match Updates: Many sports websites and apps provide live scores, commentary, and match statistics.
- Check TV Schedules: Find out which broadcasters in your region are showing the Euro 2024 matches.
Conclusion
Euro 2024 is set to be an unforgettable football event, kicking off on June 14, 2024. Make sure to mark your calendars and prepare for a month filled with thrilling matches, passionate fans, and world-class football. Now that you know when does the Euro 2024 start, you can fully gear up to enjoy every moment of this prestigious tournament.
