Germany is set to host the 17th edition of the UEFA European Championship in 2024, a historic occasion marking the first time the unified nation has staged the event.
- The tournament, a pinnacle of European football, will take place from 14 June 2024 to 14 July 2024.
- Euro 2024 will see 16’000 volunteers contributing to the smooth running of the event.
- The tournament mascot, Albärt, a teddy bear, was chosen through a public vote involving UEFA.com users and schoolchildren across Europe.
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Germany was selected to host Euro 2024 at a UEFA Executive Committee meeting in Nyon on 27 September 2018. Türkiye was the only other contender. The country previously hosted the 1988 edition as West Germany and the 2006 FIFA World Cup, making it well-prepared to stage another major international tournament.
The matches will be held in ten venues, nine of which were used during the 2006 World Cup, with the addition of the Düsseldorf Arena. The Munich Football Arena is uniquely staging matches for the second consecutive Euro, having been one of the venues for UEFA Euro 2020. The host cities and stadiums are:
• Berlin: Olympiastadion Berlin (71,000 capacity)
• Cologne: Cologne Stadium (43,000)
• Dortmund: BVB Stadion Dortmund (62,000)
• Düsseldorf: 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)
The final will be held at Berlin’s Olympiastadion on 14 July 2024.
The group stage of UEFA Euro 2024 runs from 14 June 2024 to 26 June 2024, with the knockout stage commencing on 29 June 2024. Germany, as the host nation, is seeded in Group A and will play the opening match against Scotland at the Munich Football Arena on 14 June 2024. The final tournament draw was conducted in Hamburg on 2 December 2023, with the groups 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
The top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed teams, will advance to the round of 16.
Euro 2024 introduces several exciting elements. The Fussballliebe, the Official Match Ball unveiled in November 2023, incorporates adidas Connected Ball Technology for the first time in a UEFA Euro. This technology enhances decision-making precision by providing real-time data on the ball’s movement to match officials.
City ambassadors, including former football stars and notable personalities, will represent the host cities, enhancing local engagement. These ambassadors include Kevin-Prince Boateng for Berlin, Harald Schumacher for Cologne, and Roman Weidenfeller for Dortmund, among others.
Adding to the tournament’s vibrant atmosphere is the official song “FIRE”, a collaboration between Italian producers Meduza, American band OneRepublic, and German singer Leony. The track, available on all streaming platforms, embodies the passion and spirit of both football and music fans.
With Germany’s rich football heritage, state-of-the-art venues, and innovative features, UEFA EURO 2024 promises to be a spectacular celebration of European football. The tournament will not only showcase the continent’s top teams but also bring together fans from around the world in a shared love of the game.
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