The 2024 European Football Championship is bringing the enthusiasm and passion for football to Germany. Eleven cities will host the games and offer fans the opportunity to not only experience first-class football but also discover the diverse sights and cultural highlights of these cities. In this article, we will introduce you to the venues of the 2024 European Championship and share tips for football fans and travellers.

 

Berlin – football, culture and history

Berlin, the German capital, is known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and iconic landmarks. From the Brandenburg Gate to the TV Tower, there's lots to discover in Berlin. The Brandenburg Gate, a symbol of German unity, is a must for every visitor. At a total of 368 metres, the TV tower offers breathtaking views over the city. The Victory Column, another of Berlin's landmarks, is one of the most important national monuments in Germany, while Museum Island is home to five world-class museums, including the Pergamon Museum. The East Side Gallery, a 1.3-kilometre-long stretch of the Berlin Wall, has been painted by artists from all over the world and is another highlight of the city.

For football fans, Berlin will offer a variety of public screening options during the 2024 Euros. The Fan Zone in front of the Brandenburg Gate represents the largest public screening event in Berlin and attracts thousands of fans. Berlin's Olympic Stadium, which is easily accessible by underground train (U2) and the S-Bahn city trains (S3, S9), will host the European Championship games. Berlin's traditional neighbourhood pubs with a connection to football, such as "Bierbrunnen an der Plumpe", also invite you to stay for a while.

 

Hamburg – port city with football fever

Hamburg, known for its large port and historic Speicherstadt, offers a unique blend of maritime atmosphere and urban living. Whether you're on the jetties watching ships or taking a walk through the historic Speicherstadt, it's one highlight after another in Hamburg. In the midst of the famous HafenCity ("harbour city"), you will find the new landmark, the Elbphilharmonie concert hall, an architectural masterpiece completed in 2016 and a must for music lovers. The Reeperbahn, Germany's most famous party zone, attracts night owls. The Miniatur Wunderland, the largest model railway exhibition in the world, impresses with detailed replicas, including of the Volksparkstadion. The 13-km-long Elbe beach invites you to take a relaxing walk.

During the 2024 Euros, the Heiligengeistfeld in Hamburg will become the central fan zone, offering space for up to 40,000 fans. The venue for the European Championship games in Hamburg is the Volksparkstadion, with more than 49,000 seats. The Millerntor Stadium, home of FC St Pauli, is known for its unique fan culture and offers stadium tours, as well as a club museum for those who want to delve deeper into Hamburg's football tradition.

Leipzig – culture and a tradition of football

Leipzig, a city with a rich cultural history and a strong football heritage, is a fascinating destination. At 91 metres, the Monument to the Battle of the Nations in the southeast of the city is the highest monument in Europe and one of the most famous landmarks in Leipzig. In the city centre, historic buildings, such as the Nikolaikirche, and the market square attract visitors. In Germany's recent history, Leipzig played an important role as the starting point of the Peaceful Revolution. Auerbachs Kellar, famous from Goethe's "Faust", is also worth a visit. Numerous waterways run through the city for sporting activities on the water. In the heart of the city, Leipzig's Riverside Forest also stretches out and invites you to relax and breathe deeply.

For the 2024 Euros, Leipzig's Augustusplatz will become the central fan-fest zone, where all 51 games will be broadcast on large screens. The European Championship games will be held in the Red Bull Arena, the home of RB Leipzig. The famous football stadium is centrally located and is easily accessible by public transport. For die-hard football fans, a visit to the Leipzig Arena is a good idea. Embedded in the ramparts of the old Central Stadium, you can immerse yourself in the city's football history here. Or you can visit the Alfred-Kunze-Sportpark, the founding site of the German Football Association (DFB), and admire the many concrete sculptures commemorating the GDR's championship title.

 

Cologne – experience football and Koelsch

Cologne, known for its majestic cathedral and lively nightlife, offers a perfect blend of history and modernity. Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the city's landmark. The Old Town, with its narrow streets and historic buildings, invites you to explore. The famous Hohenzollern Bridge is located right next to the cathedral and offers walkers a great view over the Rhine and the city. If you are in Cologne, you should, of course, not miss a visit to one of the numerous breweries, so as to get to know the famous "koelsch" way of life and the beer of the same name.

During the 2024 Euros, the Heumarkt in the Old Town and the Tanzbrunnen will offer large fan zones for public screenings. The Rhein-Energie-Stadion, easily accessible by tram line 1, is the venue for the European Championship games in this city. The "Football Experience" around the dance fountain ("Tanzbrunnen") offers additional football activities. If you want to pay a visit to the mascot of 1. FC Köln, make a trip to Cologne Zoo. That's where Hennes IX lives.

 

Munich – football meets Bavarian tradition

Munich, the capital of Bavaria, is known for its beer gardens, the Oktoberfest, and the successful FC Bayern Munich. Marienplatz is located in the heart of the city and impresses with the New Town Hall and its famous chimes. Munich's Frauenkirche, with its famous onion-domed towers, is just a stone's throw away and leaves its mark on every image of Munich. If you would prefer to find something hearty to eat, you should pay a visit to the Viktualienmarkt. At this permanent market for food, numerous traders offer all kinds of specialities on a two-hectare plot around the central beer garden. For relaxed walks, or just to while away the time, you have the inviting English Garden, directly on the Isar, one of the largest inner-city parks in the world.

During the 2024 Euros, the Fan Zone in the Olympic Park will show all 51 games on a large screen. The Allianz Arena in the north of the city is the modern stadium where the European Championship games will be held. FC Bayern Museum in the Allianz Arena is the largest club museum in Germany and a highlight for football fans. The oldest football stadium in Munich, built in 1911, is located on Grünwalder Strasse in Giesing, the home of TSV 1860 Munich.

 

 

Stuttgart – football and automotive history

Stuttgart, known for its automotive industry and wine culture, offers numerous interesting sights. The Mercedes-Benz Museum offers a comprehensive exhibition on the history of the automobile, while the Porsche Museum in Zuffenhausen is a must for automotive fans. The Wilhelma, the only zoological botanical garden in Germany, offers an extensive collection of plants and animal species. Visitors will gain a wonderful view of the city during a hike on the Stuttgart wine trail up to the Württemberg Mausoleum, on the hill.

During the 2024 Euros, Schlossplatz in Stuttgart will offer public screenings, with space for up to 30,000 people. The MHP Arena in Bad Cannstatt is the venue for the European Championship games and is easily accessible by public transport.

 

Frankfurt am Main – Mainhattan with football fever

Frankfurt am Main, known for its skyline and financial districts, combines modern architecture with historical importance. The Maintower offers a publicly accessible observation deck with impressive views over the city. Once the seat of the first parliament for all of Germany, today, the Paulskirche is an exhibition venue, memorial site and meeting place. The Palm Garden is one of the largest botanical gardens in Europe.

For the 2024 Euros, the Fan Zone on the Main will offer space for up to 10,000 spectators. The Deutsche Bank Park, formerly the Waldstadion, is the venue for the European Championship games in this city. For football fans, the Eintracht Frankfurt Museum offers insights into the history of the well-known football club. Guided tours will take place on the DFB campus during the European Championship, offering visitors a glimpse into the DFB's work, a sneak peek at the athletes' rooms, and access to the football pitches and the football hall. The various World Cup and DFB trophies are on display in the public area.

 

Dortmund – football and industrial culture

Dortmund, the heart of the Ruhr region, is known for its industrial culture and particularly passionate football fans. After all, the city is the home to football club Borussia Dortmund. Dortmund is shaped by its industrial heritage. The Zollern Colliery, a decommissioned brown coal mine, is particularly worth a visit. The Dortmunder U, a cultural centre in a former brewery building, now offers a wide range of exhibitions and events. Westfalenpark offers numerous recreational opportunities for relaxation, or you can enjoy yourself at Lake Phoenix.

During the 2024 Euros, Friedensplatz and Westfalenpark will offer large fan zones for public screenings. Signal Iduna Park, the largest stadium in Germany, is the venue for the European Championship games and is known for its impressive atmosphere. The German Football Museum, near the central railway station in Dortmund, offers 1600 exhibits from football history and is a must for every football fan.

 

Düsseldorf – Rhenish hospitality and football

Düsseldorf, known for fashion, art and the "longest bar in the world", is a lively and modern metropolis on the Rhine. Its Old Town, with around 260 pubs and restaurants, invites you to enjoy some convivial evenings. Düsseldorf's beer culture is in competition with Cologne. On the banks of the Rhine, you can enjoy a relaxed walk with views of the skyline and the Media Harbour. One of the most famous shopping streets in Germany, the Kö – more precisely, Königsallee – offers luxury at its best. The Japanese quarter is home to Japanese shops, cultural institutions, and a whole host of restaurants. After all, Düsseldorf is home to the third-largest Japanese community in Europe.

During the 2024 Euros, Burgplatz and the banks of the Rhine will offer large fan zones with public screenings. The European Championship games will be held in the Merkur Spiel-Arena. For football fans, a visit to Flinger Broich is a good idea. The Paul Janes Stadium is the home of Fortuna Düsseldorf.

 

Gelsenkirchen – the beating heart of football in the Ruhr region

Gelsenkirchen, deeply rooted in mining history and home to FC Schalke 04, is a real football mecca. The Halde Rheinelbe pit heap is a popular viewing point, while Horst Castle offers a Renaissance-period adventure museum. Zoom Adventure World is a modern zoo with numerous themed areas.

During the 2024 Euros, Nordsternpark will offer space for up to 6,000 people for public screenings. The Veltins-Arena, the home of FC Schalke 04, is the venue for the European Championship games in this city. Gelsenkirchen has a strong football culture and offers a variety of attractions for football fans: the Kampfbahn Glückauf is the old stadium of FC Schalke 04 and a place of historic championship titles. In theSt.-Joseph-Kirche, the stained-glass windows tell the story of Gelsenkirchen and Schalke 04. The highlight is the portrayal of Saint Aloysius as a football player. At the Beckhausen-Sutum cemetery, there is a special burial ground for Schalke supporters, which is planted with blue and white flowers and has the shape of a stadium. The Parkstadion is the predecessor of the Arena AufSchalke and offers memories of old triumphs.

 

 

Where will the games of the 2024 Euros be held?

• Berlin: Spain vs. Croatia, Poland vs. Austria, Netherlands vs. Austria, one round-of-16 game, one quarter-final, and the final
• Hamburg: Poland vs. Netherlands, Croatia vs. Albania, Georgia vs. Czech Republic, Czech Republic vs. Turkey, and one quarter-final
• Leipzig: Portugal vs. Czech Republic, Netherlands vs. France, Croatia vs. Italy, and one round-of-16 game
• Cologne: Hungary vs. Switzerland, Scotland vs. Switzerland, Belgium vs. Romania, England vs. Slovenia, and one round-of-16 game
• Munich: Germany vs. Scotland, Romania vs. Ukraine, Slovenia vs. Serbia, Denmark vs. Serbia, one round-of-16 game and one semi-final
• Stuttgart: Slovenia vs. Denmark, Germany vs. Hungary, Scotland vs. Hungary, Ukraine vs. Belgium and a quarter-final
• Frankfurt am Main: Belgium vs. Slovakia, Denmark vs. England, Switzerland vs. Germany, Slovakia vs. Romania, and one round-of-16 game
• Dortmund: Italy vs. Albania, Turkey vs. Georgia, Turkey vs. Portugal, France vs. Poland, one round-of-16 game and one semi-final
• Dusseldorf: Austria vs. France, Slovakia vs. Ukraine, Albania vs. Spain, one round-of-16 game and one quarter-final
• Gelsenkirchen: Serbia vs. England, Spain vs. Italy, Georgia vs. Portugal, and one round-of-16 game

 

Discover the venues of the 2024 European Championship and experience an unforgettable time in Germany!