Everyone was looking forward to Euro 2024 - both the national teams and the fans of the individual teams that will take part in the tournament. As it turns out, not everyone shares this enthusiasm now. Fans from the Ruhr region expressed their dissatisfaction with the changes made to their stadiums.

"How ugly" - stadium in Dortmund

In preparation for Euro 2024, Signal Iduna Park, known during Euro as BVB Stadion Dortmund, has undergone extensive changes. UEFA took control of the venue, introducing new guidelines and modifications. These changes, while necessary for an international tournament, have been met with mixed feelings from fans.

Many have criticised the new temporary arrangements as ugly, which is particularly evident in the stadium's new colour scheme and branding. As at other tournament venues, UEFA has covered the advertising with European Championship banners, and the choice of colours irritates Dortmund fans the most. Numerous elements glow blue, which is inevitably reminiscent of the colours of BVB's neighbour Gelsenkirchen.

That's how they destroyed our stadium. How ugly it looks! and It's awful are just two quotes from the X platform from BVB fans. Despite the controversy, the changes are intended to bring the venue into line with UEFA requirements. To calm fans, it can be added that everything will be restored to its original state after the Euros.

© saison_tagebuch | Signal Iduna Park (Westfalenstadion)

"It looks like sh*t" - Schalke 04 arena

It looked like sh*t before too threatened Schalke fans towards Dortmund, even though they themselves do not believe in the appearance of their arena in time for the Euros. It's not just about the seats, which are blue at Veltins Arena. Like Dortmund, Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen has been transformed for Euro 2024 and the stadium has undergone a complete makeover, which has caused mixed reactions among fans.

The biggest controversy was the repainting of the players' tunnel, which traditionally referred to the club's mining roots. UEFA introduced its signage and colour scheme, which was met with displeasure from fans.

What has that stupid Ceferin done to our beautiful tunnel? - asks one Schalke fan in disbelief on the Veltins Arena Facebook page. Don't you dare scratch it - this shows how big a temple the stadium is for the fans. Let's hope the tunnel remains untouched and the comments after the Euros are no harsher.

© Walter Koch (cc: by-sa) | Veltins Arena (Arena auf Schalke)