Germany gears up to host the 17th edition of the UEFA European Championship, also known as Euro 2024. This highly anticipated event will see 24 nations vying for continental glory. Here's a comprehensive breakdown of the tournament, including dates, fixtures, stadiums, and more.
Key Dates and Schedule
- Tournament Dates: Friday, June 14 - Sunday, July 14
- Opening Match: Germany vs. Scotland (Allianz Arena, Munich) - June 14, 8pm UK time
- Group Stage: June 14 - June 26
- Knockout Stage: June 29 - July 14
- Quarter-finals: July 5
- Semi-finals: July 9
- Final: July 14 (Olympiastadion, Berlin)
Tournament Format
- A total of 51 matches will be played across the tournament.
- 24 teams will be divided into six groups, with the top two from each group and the four best third-placed teams progressing to the knockout stage.
- The knockout stage will be a single-elimination format, culminating in the final at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.
Host Cities and Stadiums
Ten stadiums across Germany have been selected to host Euro 2024 matches:
- Olympiastadion Berlin
- Arena AufSchalke (Veltins Arena) - Gelsenkirchen
- Cologne Stadium (RheinEnergieSTADION)
- Volksparkstadion - Hamburg
- BVB Stadion Dortmund (Signal Iduna Park)
- Leipzig Stadium (Red Bull Arena)
- Dusseldorf Arena (Merkur Spielarena)
- Munich Football Arena (Allianz Arena)
- Frankfurt Arena (Deutsche Bank Park)
- Stuttgart Arena
Participating Teams
The group stage draw has already taken place, pitting familiar rivals against each other. Here's a glimpse into the groupings:
- 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
How Germany Earned Hosting Rights
Germany secured the hosting rights for Euro 2024 in 2018, beating Turkey in a UEFA vote. Their well-developed infrastructure and proven track record in hosting major tournaments were key factors.
Weather and Kick-Off Times
Weather conditions in Germany during June and July are comparable to the UK, with average temperatures ranging from 16C to 22C. Kick-off times for most matches are yet to be confirmed, except for the opening fixture, which starts at 8pm UK time. Semi-finals and the final will also kick off at 8pm UK time.
Euro 2024 promises to be a thrilling summer of football. With England, France, and Germany among the favorites, fans can expect a fiercely competitive tournament.
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