Euro 2020: Postponed Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic
The highly anticipated Euro 2020 football tournament has been officially postponed until 2021 due to the unprecedented disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic. UEFA, the governing body of European football, made the difficult decision to delay the tournament to allow time for all European club competitions to conclude by June 30th, if possible. This postponement marks a significant moment in football history, as it’s the first time the European Championship has been delayed. The new proposed dates for Euro 2020 are June 11th to July 11th, 2021.
The decision to postpone Euro 2020 came after extensive discussions with all 55 of Europe’s national football associations, the European Club Association, European Leagues, and the international players’ union, FIFPro. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin described the situation as “the biggest crisis that football faced in its history.” The postponement aims to prioritize public health and safety while providing a clear path for the completion of domestic leagues and club competitions like the Champions League and Europa League. Provisional dates for the Champions League and Europa League finals have been tentatively set for June 27th and June 24th, respectively.
UEFA has established two working groups to address the challenges posed by the pandemic. One group will focus on resuming and concluding the club season in a cohesive manner. The other group will assess the economic, financial, and regulatory impact of the COVID-19 outbreak and propose measures to mitigate the consequences. The postponement of Euro 2020 is not an isolated incident. Other major football events, including the Copa América and the African Nations Championship, have also been postponed due to the global health crisis.
The postponement of Euro 2020 will have significant financial implications, with losses estimated in the hundreds of millions of Euros. UEFA had projected over €1 billion in revenue from the tournament between 2020 and 2024, including €371 million for tournament prize money and €775 million for national associations’ football development programs. Many smaller footballing nations rely heavily on this funding, further highlighting the widespread impact of the postponement. Despite the financial setback, UEFA plans to retain the multi-city hosting format for Euro 2020 in 2021, with matches taking place in 12 different countries, including Dublin, Glasgow, and London. The final is still scheduled to be held at Wembley Stadium.
UEFA is also considering postponing the Women’s European Championship, scheduled for 2021 in England, to 2022. This potential postponement aims to avoid scheduling conflicts with the men’s tournament and provide the women’s competition with the attention it deserves. The postponement of Euro 2020 underscores the severity of the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the global sporting landscape. While the delay is undoubtedly disappointing for fans, players, and organizers, the decision prioritizes public health and aims to ensure the long-term stability of the football community. The collaboration between UEFA, national associations, clubs, and players demonstrates a united front in navigating this unprecedented challenge.