One summer, ten venues, 22 match days, 24 football teams, 51 matches, thousands of volunteers and millions of fans: these are just some of the facts and figures of UEFA EURO 2024, on of the world's largest sporting event, which will be staged for the 17th time this year. And in Germany for the first time since 1988. In this blog, we reveal what you can expect in Berlin during the big football summer and where the capital really scores. 11 facts about UEFA EURO 2024 in Berlin - and just about everything you need to know about UEFA EURO 2024 in Berlin.
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Fact 1: One of the world's biggest sporting events is coming to Berlin
After the Olympic Games, the Football World Cup, the Cricket World Cup and the Super Bowl, the UEFA EURO 2024 is one of the biggest sporting events in the world. This statistically calculated ranking is based on the number of spectators worldwide. And depending on the match, that's up to 380 million people!
Fact 2: The world's largest fan zone at the Brandenburg Gate
The Brandenburg Gate will be transformed into the world's largest football goal for what will probably be the world's largest fan zone. And the green artificial turf will be rolled out in front of it. This giant pitch will be the place to gather for public viewing and celebrate the summer of football. There will also be concerts, open-air cinema, DJ sets, performances, exhibitions and much more. Look out for the big opening show in front of the Brandenburg Gate on 12 June.
Brandenburger Gates becomes a football goal
Fact 3: Public viewing all over Berlin
During UEFA EURO 2024, public viewing will take place at a number of locations in Berlin, including the two fan zones at the Reichstag and the Brandenburg Gate. Large screens will also be set up in restaurants, cafés and beer gardens.
Infos zu Public Viewing & Fan Zonen:
Brandenburg Gate Fan Zone
The official Fan Zone in Berlin is located in the Tiergarten district of Berlin and runs from the Brandenburg Gate via Straße des 17. Juni to Große Queerallee. This makes the Berlin Fan Zone the longest in the world. Fittingly, the Brandenburg Gate will become the largest football goal in the world and will also be used as a broadcast screen. Green grass will be rolled out in front of the gate for a pop-up park, which will offer lots of activities and events for football fans, guests and Berliners.
- Where: Platz vor dem Brandenburger Tor & Straße des 17. Juni
- When: 12 June to 14 July
- Opening times: daily from 8 am
- Admission free
- What:
- Public viewing of all German matches and all matches taking place in Berlin
- Concerts
- Summer cinema with Knut Elstermann and guests
- Great opening show for the Football Culture Summer on 12 June from 7.30 pm. June from 7.30 pm with Luciano, Alvaro Soler, Elif, Leonie and others. Admission is free.
Fan Zone Platz der Republik:
- Where: Platz der Republik, Berlin-Tiergarten (directly in front of the Reichstag)
- When: 14 June to 14 July, daily from 2 pm to midnight
- What:
- Public viewing of all 51 matches on the EURO Plaza
- Live programme with performances, DJ sets, concerts and exhibitions
- As in 2006, the Home of Adidas Football Stadium
- Special programme in cooperation with many Berlin cultural institutions
- Location: Platz der Republik (Berlin-Tiergarten, government district, meadow in front of the Reichstag)
- Opening times: 14 June to 14 July. June to 14 July, on all 31 days daily from 2 pm - midnight
- What:
Pride House Berlin
Where: Altes Poststadion, Lehrter Straße 59, Moabit
When: from 14 June to 14 July open on all 51 match days and during the final week.
What:
- Opening on 14 June at 7 pm
- Broadcast of all matches
- Comprehensive programme with the participation of local sports and/or queer clubs
- Broadcast of all matches
- Colourful programme with the participation of local sports and/or queer clubs
- Variety shows
- Exhibition fan.tastic females
- Safer space (protected place) for queer football fans.
Fact 4: Six matches and the Grand Final will be played in Berlin
During the tournament, which runs from 14 June to 14 July, the teams will compete over 22 days. A total of 51 matches will be played in ten German cities, six of them at the Olympiastadion Berlin, including the Grand Final on 14 July.
Here is the schedule:
- Saturday 15 June 2024: Spain - Croatia
- Friday 21 June 2024: Poland - Austria
- Tuesday 25 June 2024: Netherlands - Austria
- Saturday 29 June 2024: Round of 16
- Saturday 06 July 2024: Quarter-finals
- Sunday 14 July 2024: Final match (21.00 CEST)
Fact 5: The Olympiastadion Berlin is the oldest and largest venue
With 74,474 seats, the Olympiastadion Berlin is the largest venue for this year's European Football Championship. In comparison, the Munich Football Arena has 67,000 seats, Dortmund has 61,534, followed by Stuttgart with 50,998 and Hamburg with 50,215. Other venues include Cologne (46,635 seats), Frankfurt am Main (48,057 seats), Gelsenkirchen (49,471 seats), Düsseldorf (46,264 seats) and Leipzig (46,635 seats).
The history of the Olympic Stadium
Built between 1934 and 1936 - during the National Socialist era - for the 1936 Summer Olympics, it is also the oldest stadium in which the UEFA EURO 2024 will be played.
Fact 6: 100 events for the summer of football
The whole of Berlin is in football fever. Galleries, theatres, stages and exhibition venues, as well as districts and libraries, are on the ball with an extensive programme showing just how diverse the topic of football is. It's about fair play, victory and defeat, history and visions of the future for a better world, education, participation, sustainability and anti-discrimination. Be there when fans from all over the world come together for a peaceful summer of football in Berlin under the motto "United by Football - United in the Heart of Europe". Here you can find an overview of the events.
Fact 7: 24 teams have qualified for UEFA EURO 2024
24 teams from all over Europe will take part in UEFA EURO 2024. As the host country, Germany has automatically qualified for the EURO 2024. The countries playing for the trophy on site in Berlin include Spain, Croatia, the Netherlands, Poland and Austria. It remains to be seen who will play in the round of 16, quarter-finals and the grand final in the Olympic Stadium. The Austrian national team will be staying in Berlin for a longer period of time during the tournament.
11 reasons, why we are looking forward to EURO 2024
Fact 8: The UEFA trophy will come to Berlin on 24 & 25 April
Before the opening match of UEFA EURO 2024 kicks off in Munich on 14 June, the Henri Delaunay Cup will tour all ten host cities in Germany. The trophy is named after French football official Henri Delaunay, who initiated the European Nations Cup in the 1950s and played a key role in the creation of UEFA in June 1954.
Today's trophy is made of sterling silver and, at 60 centimetres, is 18 centimetres taller than the original and, at 8 kilograms, two kilograms heavier. The trophy will be on display in Berlin on 24 and 25 April. Philipp Lahm and mascot Albärt will also be there.
Tip: The 3.20 metre high replica of the trophy is currently on display at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (image from ITB). You can also take a selfie with the giant trophy here.
Fact 9: The Berlin Bear has a new playmate in the form of mascot Albärt
The Berlin bear has reason to be happy. Albärt, the big teddy bear mascot, has been given a partner. The name was chosen by UEFA.com users and schoolchildren from across Europe. Albärt beat out Bärnardo, Bärnheart and Herzi von Bär. As the EURO 24 mascot, Albärt will now inspire children and adults alike to take part in sport and exercise in a fun way. Find out how to get active in Berlin:
Fact 10: 2.5 million fans and guests expected
425,000 tickets for UEFA EURO 2024 have been sold for the Olympic Stadium in Berlin alone. Ticket requests have come in from over 170 countries. In Berlin, 1.9 million external guests from around 120 countries are expected to cheer on their teams and watch the football together.
Fact 11: EURO 2024 sets new standards for climate protection, inclusion & anti-discrimination
Under the slogan "EURO 2024 will be our game", Berlin is focusing on climate protection, anti-discrimination and inclusion at the European Football Championships - and also wants to serve as a practical example for future events. In addition to major infrastructure projects such as the removal of barriers, new drinking fountains and bicycle parking, the use of solar energy and the implementation of a circular economy, many exciting small projects are being initiated at the district level to achieve a great deal together at the local level.
As part of "Euro24 - Clean Game" in Mitte, for example, trained staff in costume inform Berlin guests about reusable packaging. Champions without Borders is launching a sports and health programme for refugee women aged 45 and over, while Buntkicktgut invites young people from all backgrounds to get active at KiezKick. Street football, graffiti and hip-hop workshops are planned.
