Euro Soccer 2024: A Comprehensive Guide
Germany played host to Euro Soccer 2024, the 17th edition of the UEFA European Championship. Chosen by the UEFA Executive Committee in 2018, Germany beat out Türkiye for the hosting rights. This marked the first time a unified Germany hosted the tournament, although West Germany hosted in 1988. The tournament also held significance as it followed the 2006 FIFA World Cup, also held in Germany.
The Euro Soccer 2024 tournament spanned from June 14th to July 14th, 2024. The group stage concluded on June 26th, with the knockout phase commencing on June 29th. As the host nation, Germany was automatically placed in Group A and played the opening match against Scotland on June 14th in Munich, winning decisively 5-1. Germany has consistently participated in every EURO tournament since 1972, boasting victories in 1972, 1980, and 1996.
The final tournament draw, held in Hamburg on December 2nd, 2023, resulted in the following group configurations: 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), and Group F (Türkiye, Georgia, Portugal, Czechia). Poland, Ukraine, and Georgia secured their spots through play-off victories.
The tournament followed the same format as Euro 2020, with the top two teams from each group and the four best third-placed teams advancing to the round of 16.
Berlin’s Olympiastadion hosted the final match on July 14th, 2024, where Spain defeated England 2-1 to secure their fourth EURO title, a tournament record.
Ten venues across Germany hosted Euro Soccer 2024 matches, nine of which were previously used in the 2006 World Cup. The Düsseldorf Arena was the new addition to the lineup. Notably, the Munich Football Arena hosted matches for the second consecutive EURO tournament, having also been a venue for Euro 2020. The host cities included Berlin, Cologne, Dortmund, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Gelsenkirchen, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich, and Stuttgart, each with stadiums boasting capacities ranging from 40,000 to 71,000.
Euro Soccer 2024 prioritized sustainability with targeted measures and investments, reflecting the growing emphasis on social and environmental responsibility in football.
Each host city featured dedicated fan zones for public viewing, enhancing the overall tournament experience for attendees. Berlin’s fan zone, situated at Platz der Republik, offered a vibrant atmosphere for supporters.
The official match ball for Euro Soccer 2024, named “FUSSBALLLIEBE” (German for “love of football”), was unveiled in November 2023. It incorporated adidas Connected Ball Technology for the first time in a UEFA EURO tournament.
Albärt, a teddy bear chosen through a fan vote, served as the official mascot for Euro Soccer 2024. Introduced in June 2023, Albärt embodied the playful and inclusive spirit of the tournament.
Each host city appointed city ambassadors, including notable figures like Kevin-Prince Boateng (Berlin), Harald Schumacher (Cologne), and Gerald Asamoah (Gelsenkirchen), to promote the tournament and their respective cities.
A volunteer program attracted over 146,000 applicants, with 16,000 individuals from 124 nations ultimately selected. These volunteers played a crucial role in ensuring a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for all attendees.
The official song for Euro Soccer 2024, titled “FIRE,” was a collaboration between Meduza, OneRepublic, and Leony, capturing the energy and passion of the tournament. “FIRE” merged the distinct styles of each artist to create an anthem that resonated with both football and music enthusiasts.
UEFA eEURO 2024, the official esports championship for the tournament, ran from March 2024 and culminated in a final held in Germany. EA SPORTS FC™ 24 served as the official platform for the competition.
Berlin’s Fan Zone was at Platz der Republik, Berlin-Tiergarten (in front of the Reichstag)
Albärt, the official UEFA EURO 2024 mascot pictured with the trophy.
There were 16,000 volunteers at EURO 2024 representing 124 nations.