When Does EURO 2024 Start? Your Complete Guide to the European Championship
The UEFA EURO 2024, one of the most anticipated football tournaments in the world, has kicked off, bringing a month of thrilling matches and passionate rivalries to the European stage. Football fans across the globe are eager to know when this prestigious event began and what to expect.
Germany was selected to host EURO 2024 by UEFA in September 2018, winning the bid against Turkey. This marks a significant moment as it is the first time Germany has hosted the European Championship since reunification. West Germany previously hosted EURO 1988, and the country also staged the 2006 FIFA World Cup, showcasing its strong footballing infrastructure and passion for the sport.
The tournament commenced on June 14th, 2024, with the opening match in Munich at 9:00 PM Turkish Standard Time (TSİ), featuring host nation Germany against Scotland in Group A. The group stage will continue until June 26th, followed by the round of 16 starting on June 29th. The climax of the tournament, the final match to determine the champion of Europe, is scheduled for July 14th in Berlin.
Twenty-four national teams are competing in EURO 2024, divided into six groups of four. These nations have battled through qualifying rounds to earn their place at this prestigious tournament.
Here’s a breakdown of the groups and participating countries:
- 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: Turkey, Georgia, Portugal, Czech Republic
The format of EURO 2024 is designed to be both competitive and exciting. In the group stage, each team plays every other team in their group once. The top two teams from each group automatically advance to the round of 16. Additionally, the four best third-placed teams across all groups will also qualify for the knockout stage, ensuring that strong performances are rewarded.
Following the round of 16, the tournament progresses through quarter-finals and semi-finals, culminating in the highly anticipated final match. This knockout phase format guarantees high-stakes encounters and dramatic moments as teams vie for the coveted title.
While the original article details Turkey’s match schedule, for a broader English-speaking audience, it’s more pertinent to discuss the overall favorites for the tournament. According to sports data analysis firm Opta, England and France are considered the frontrunners for EURO 2024. Both nations have a similar probability of reaching the semi-finals, reflecting their strong squads and recent performances. Following closely behind are the host nation Germany and Spain, also tipped as strong contenders. These predictions are based on a model that considers betting market odds and team rankings, analyzing past and recent performances to estimate match outcome probabilities and the strength of each team’s path to the final.
EURO 2024 matches are being held across 10 host cities in Germany, utilizing 10 world-class stadiums. These cities and stadiums, with their respective capacities, are:
- Berlin: Olympiastadion Berlin (71,000)
- 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 official match ball for EURO 2024 is named “FUSSBALLLIEBE,” which translates from German to “love of football.” It was unveiled in November 2023 by UEFA and Adidas at a special event in front of the Berlin Olympic Stadium.
Adding to the tournament’s festive atmosphere, EURO 2024 has an official mascot named Albärt. Albärt, a teddy bear, was chosen through a vote by UEFA.com users and schoolchildren across Europe, securing 32% of the votes. He was first introduced to German fans in Gelsenkirchen in June 2023.
With EURO 2024 now underway, football enthusiasts can look forward to a month filled with top-tier international football, showcasing the best of European talent and creating unforgettable moments. The tournament promises to be a celebration of football and unity across the continent.