This article will act as your essential guide to everything you need to know about EURO 2024, where Europe’s elite will clash for footballing glory. We’ll dive right into the tournament’s heartbeat, from the electric atmosphere of the opening match to the venue of the final battle where legends will be born.
Discover the host cities, the underdogs poised to disrupt and the stars set to steal the show. Let’s unpack everything you need to know about one of the biggest tournaments in world football.
Where Will Euro 2024 Be Hosted?
Euro 2024 will be hosted by Germany. The tournament will take place across several iconic stadiums in various cities throughout the country, showcasing the best of European football from June to July 2024. This will be an opportunity for fans to experience the rich football culture and history of Germany, as well as the modern facilities and hospitality that the country offers. Let’s take a look at the cities and stadiums which will be hosting the games.
Host Cities and Stadium
Euro 2024 will be hosted across 10 cities in Germany, each with a state-of-the-art stadium ready to host the action.
Berlin
The iconic Olympiastadion was originally built for the 1936 Olympic Games and after renovations, now seats 74,000 fans. This historic venue will host the final on the 14th July. With Berlin’s vibrant culture, nightlife and history, it’s sure to be a popular destination for fans.
Munich
The Allianz Arena, home to Bayern Munich, will host the opening game of the tournament. Seating 75,000 spectators, this famous stadium has been named the ‘Munich Football Arena’ for the tournament due to sponsorship reasons. Known for its famous beer culture, we’re sure the city will be a hotspot for all European football fans.
Dortmund
Signal Iduna Park, home of Borussia Dortmund, is renowned for its passionate fans and ‘yellow wall’ of standing supporters. The stadium holds 82,000 fans and the nearby city center offers a charming market square with Brauereien brewpubs.
Stuttgart
The MHP Arena, home to Bundesliga team VhB Stuggart, holds 60,449 fans. The stadium has previously hosted the 2006 World Cup final that infamously saw Italy lift their 4th World Cup after Zinedine Zidane headbutted Marco Materazzi.
Hamburg
Volksparkstadion, home of Hamburger SV, seats 57,000 fans. Hamburg, a port city in northern Germany, is known for the Elbphilharmonie concert hall, St. Michael’s Church and a buzzing nightlife.
With world-class stadiums, cities steeped in culture and history, affordable travel between host cities, and Germany’s reputation for efficiency, the Euro 2024 is set to be an unforgettable tournament. Pack your bags, book your tickets and get ready to soak in the atmosphere. The countdown is on!
Who Are the Favourites?
France
The two-time champions have a star-studded squad and will be looking to add another Euro title to their trophy case. Led by Kylian Mbappé, one of the world’s most exciting young players, France has no shortage of talent. They breezed through qualifying and will be a tough out for any opponent. If their big names are in form, Les Bleus will be hard to beat. After narrowly losing to Argentina in the World Cup final, France will be determined to get their hands on the trophy.
Germany
After a disappointing showing at the last World Cup where they failed to get out of the group stages, Germany will be hungry to reassert themselves on the international stage. They have reloaded with young stars like Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sane, and Kai Havertz joining mainstays Toni Kroos and Manuel Neuer. The Germans always seem to peak at the right time in major tournaments. They won’t sneak up on anyone, but their combination of experience and youth could carry them deep into the knockout rounds.
Portugal
The 2016 European champions aren’t the flashiest team, but they continue to get results. Led by the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo, who has shown no signs of slowing down in Saudi Arabia, Portugal play a pragmatic style of football focused on defence and opportunistic scoring. After a disappointing showing in the previous World Cup, where they were knocked out by Morocco in the quarter-finals, Portugal will be a tough side to beat in Euro 2024 as they look to seek revenge.
Netherlands
After missing out on the last Euros and World Cup, the Netherlands are back with a vengeance. Featuring an array of stars like Matthijs de Ligt, Frenkie de Jong and Virgil Van Dijk, the Oranje play an exciting brand of football. They tore through qualifying, beating one of the favourites to win the tournament, France. The Dutch seem poised for a deep run to recapture their glory days. Their youth and exuberance make them a dangerous opponent for any team.
England
After being narrowly beaten in the Euro 2020 final, England will be looking to go all the way in this year’s tournament. With exciting new talent bursting into the England ranks, the Three Lions have to be considered one of the favourites to lift the trophy. The form of Jude Bellingham in Madrid, Phil Foden coming off the back of a treble win and Harry Kane tearing up the Bundesliga make England a frightening force to be reckoned with.
Italy
The reigning champions will be looking for more of the same in the upcoming tournament. Under the guidance of a tactically astute coaching staff, Italy’s blend of solid defensive organisation, creative midfield play, and clinical finishing offers a formidable package. However, their path to glory will require overcoming fierce competition from other top-tier nations, each with their sights set on the trophy.
Do you think you can predict who will lift the trophy? With the Euros getting closer you can now wager on results like the eventual winner or whether a certain team will qualify from their group. Anyone interested in sport betting in Canada can also check out the latest football odds for the upcoming games in Germany.
Which Players Should You Keep An Eye On?
When Euro 2024 kicks off, there will be no shortage of world-class players taking the pitch. As the next generation of superstars emerge, here are a few of the top players expected to make an impact at the tournament.
Kylian Mbappé
At just 25 years old, Mbappé is already considered one of the best players in the world. The Paris Saint-Germain striker helped lead France to a World Cup title in 2018 at the age of 19, becoming the youngest French goalscorer in World Cup history. With his blistering pace, lethal finishing, and ability to create chances for others, Mbappé will be a focal point of France’s attack for years to come.
Phil Foden
Foden, 23, is a homegrown star in the making for both Manchester City and the English national team. Dubbed the “Stockport Iniesta” for his silky skills and ability to glide past defenders, Foden was brought along slowly by Pep Guardiola at City but showed flashes of brilliance when given the chance. Coming off the back of a treble win last season, Foden has found a consistent spot in the Manchester City team and is in electric form. With quick feet, pinpoint passing, and a keen eye for goal, Foden will undoubtedly play a key role for England at Euro 2024 and beyond.
Cristiano Ronaldo
We simply couldn’t write this section of the article without discussing this man. Despite his age, Ronaldo is still scoring goals week in and week out at his new club, Al Nassr. With this tournament likely being his final hurrah to international football, he will be determined to leave his mark on one of the biggest stages.
Frequently Asked Questions
What cities will host Euro 2024?
Euro 2024 will be hosted across Europe, in 10 different cities across Germany: Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Cologne, Stuttgart, Leipzig, Gelsenkirchen, Dortmund, and Düsseldorf.
How many teams will compete in Euro 2024?
A total of 20 national teams have already qualified for Euro 2024, with three other teams set to join the hosts. These include Albania, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, England, France, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland and Turkey.
When will Euro 2024 take place?
Euro 2024 will run from June 14 to July 14, 2024. The group stage will begin on June 14, with the final set to take place exactly one month later on July 14. The knockout phase will start on June 29 with the round of 16, followed by the quarterfinals on July 5 and 6, and the semifinals on July 9 and 10.
Conclusion
So there you have it – everything you need to know before Euro 2024 kicks off this summer. From the host cities and stadiums to the teams to watch, you’re now an expert on what’s sure to be one of the biggest sporting events of 2024. With the tournament expanding to 24 teams, we can expect even more exciting matchups and drama. No matter who you’ll be cheering for, Euro 2024 is shaping up to be one for the history books. Just make sure to start planning your viewing parties and time off work now. It’s never too early to get pumped up for the beautiful game!