Description

UEFA Euro 2024 – stadiums, host cities and format of the tournament

All European Championships are unique events. Each tournament brings spectators to a different part of Europe, offering a fresh look at new football stars. What could be expected this time around? And above all – which stadiums hosted the participating teams?

© @pedro___gram – Euro 2020 inauguration

UEFA Euro 2024 host debut

Germany has been named host the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship after being selected to host the 17th UEFA European Championship at the UEFA Executive Committee meeting in Nyon on September 27, 2018. Turkey was the only other country to apply to host UEFA EURO 2024. West Germany hosted the 1988 edition, but it was be the first time Germany hasd hosted the UEFA European Championship since reunification. The 2006 FIFA World Cup was also held in the country.

How many national teams will play at UEFA Euro 2024?

Germany qualified for the finals as hosts, meaning taht in 2024 the country was represented at its 14th consecutive EURO. Germany/West Germany has played at every EURO since 1972. West Germany won the 1972 and 1980 editions, while a reunified Germany triumphed at EURO 1996.

This leaves a total of 23 places in the finals, which were filled in the European qualifiers running from March to November 2023 and the play-offs scheduled for March 2024.

What were the qualification rules for UEFA Euro 2024?

The teams were divided into ten groups of five (including those containing the four UEFA Nations League finalists) or six. The national teams played at home and away, with the group winners and runners-up advancing directly to the UEFA Euro 2024 final tournament. The remaining three teams were determined in a play-off phase involving 12 teams selected on the basis of their performance in the 2022/23 Nations League.

What was the format of UEFA Euro 2024?

The format was the same as for UEFA EURO 2020, with the top two teams from each of the final tournament's six groups progressing to the round of 16 along with the top four third-placed teams.

Where were the UEFA Euro 2024 stadiums located?

What did the Euro 2024 stadiums look like?

Football fans around the world wee curious to know which stadiums were to host UEFA Euro 2024 and what they had to offer. If you are one of them, we have great news for you!

We went into this topic in detail in the video, which you can watch below or directly on our YouTube channel. Ready for a virtual tour of the UEFA Euro 2024 stadiums? You'll be able to catch a glimpse of the state-of-the-art technology, the unique design of some of the venues and the overall atmosphere around the European Championship arenas!

Which cities hosted UEFA Euro 2024?

Berlin

Berlin, the capital of Germany since reunification in 1990, is one of the most exciting and diverse places to visit in the country. Highlights of this city overflowing with history and culture include the Brandenburg Gate and the 368-metre-high TV tower, offering stunning views from its observation deck. Matches in Berlin were played at Olympiastadion Berlin.

Munich

With a population of around 1.6 million, Munich is Germany's third largest city and a place full of history, art galleries, parks and beer gardens. Matches in Munich were played at Munich Football Arena.

© Patrick Mueller – stadium in Munich

Dortmund

Regarded as the cultural heart of the Ruhr district, Dortmund was mainly known for coal, steel and beer 50 years ago, but has transformed into a major technology centre, with a vibrant cultural scene and a rich sporting heritage on display at the German Football Museum. Matches in Dortmund were played at BVB Stadion Dortmund.

Stuttgart

Stuttgart is a major industrial city and home to two of the world's most famous car manufacturers, Mercedes and Porsche, but visitors can also enjoy a rich wine and culinary scene, with Flädlesuppe (pancake soup) at the forefront among the local specialities. Matches in Stuttgart were played at Stuttgart Arena.

Gelsenkirchen

Gelsenkirchen is known for its history of coal mining and steel production, but today visitors will find green spaces, theatres and boat cruises, as well as the industrial heritage of the Ruhr district. Matches in Gelsenkirchen were played at Arena AufSchalke.

Hamburg

Hamburg, Europe's third-largest city, which is nevertheless not the country's capital, has a world-famous harbour, rich cultural history, impressive architecture and nightlife, making it a 'wish list' city for many tourists. Matches in Hamburg were played at Volksparkstadion Hamburg.

Cologne

Cologne, a city steeped in history, is situated on the Rhine River and is home to more than one million inhabitants, as well as the most visited monument in Germany: the Cathedral Church of St Peter, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Matches in Cologne were played at Cologne Stadium.

© Daniel Bellinghausen – the way to the stadium in Cologne

Düsseldorf

The capital of North Rhine-Westphalia, Düsseldorf, has 650,000 inhabitants and more than 250 beer halls and restaurants in the Old Town, which has been dubbed the 'longest bar in the world'. Matches in Düsseldorf were played at Düsseldorf Arena.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt, a global centre of commerce and finance located on the banks of the River Main, is Germany's fifth largest city and its distinctive skyline has earned it the nickname 'Mainhattan'. Matches in Frankfurt were played at Frankfurt Arena.

Leipzig

Leipzig, once the home of Johann Sebastian Bach, is steeped in culture and history, not least the peaceful demonstrations in 1989, which reflected the mood as Germany moved towards reunification. Matches in Leipzig were played at Leipzig Stadium.

Football feast in Germany!

UEFA Euro 2024 promised to be a tournament full of excitement, featuring matches in some of Germany's most iconic cities. With its world-class venues and rich football history, Germany seemed the ideal host for this unforgettable event.

The course of Euro 2024

Euro 2024 began with a strong opening for the German national team, which smashed the Scots 5–1 in their opening match at the Allianz Arena and immediately became one of the main favorites to win the title. While the hosts excelled in their group, huge problems were faced by the defending champions, the Italians, who were only promoted by a goal for 1–1 in their last match against Croatia, scored in the eighth minute of added time.

Also noteworthy was the brave performance of the Georgian national team, the only debutant at this European Championship. Willy Sagnol's proteges got out of the group thanks to their victory in the last game against Portugal, and Georges Mikautadze's three goals gave him the title of top scorer, ex aequo with five other players. In the round of 16, however, the Georgians were unable to overcome a strong Spain...

... who, in fact, won the entire tournament, claiming a record fourth title. After defeating Georgia, the Spaniards faced only very strong teams: Germany (a premature final?), France and then England in the final at Olympic Stadium, and their triumph, laced with spectacular play, was fully deserved.

The English, despite reaching the final, looked much less impressive in the tournament. They miraculously avoided dropping out as early as round of 16, where in the match against Slovakia they went into overtime thanks to a goal scored in the fifth minute of added time. Then, in the quarterfinals they turned out to be better than the Swiss only after a series of penalty kicks, and they won the semifinal against the Netherlands after a goal from the 90th minute.

The Italians, who were defending the trophy, eventually ended their participation in the tournament in round of 16 (losing to Switzerland), while the Portuguese, with 39-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo in the lineup, fell in the quarterfinals after a series of penalty kicks against France.

What was the schedule for UEFA Euro 2024?

The final tournament of UEFA Euro 2024 took place from June 14 to July 14, 2024. The group draw took place in Hamburg on Saturday 2 December. As the host nation, Germany was seeded in Group A and was ranked A1; they played therefore the opening match against Scotland at the Munich Football Stadium on Friday June 14. The final took place at Olympiastadion Berlin on July 14.

Group A

Group B

Group C

Group D

Group E

Group F

Round of 16

Quarterfinals

Semifinals

Final