Sustainability at UEFA EURO 2024

The UEFA EURO 2024 will be Berlin's major event of 2024, with many cheerful visitors flocking to the capital to experience the atmosphere on the Fan Zone, at public viewing and in the Olympiastadion. Of course, this also includes delicious food, refreshing drinks, a bit of sightseeing and getting around the city as well as traveling to and from the event. All factors that have an impact on the sustainability of a big event.

UEFA (European Football Union) wants to set new standards in terms of sustainability at this year's UEFA EURO 2024 and is taking to the field with a comprehensive sustainability concept. This takes into account not only ecological but also social aspects. We have summarized the best tips and most interesting information for you here.

Support for sustainable projects of local sports clubs

The state of Berlin has planned a total budget of 61 million euros for the realization of UEFA EURO 2024, of which 3.85 million euros alone - the fourth largest item - will flow into the sustainability program. Berlin sports clubs and non-profit organizations can apply for funding for their projects if they contribute to the implementation of the UEFA EURO 2024 mission statement. The focus can either be on environmental and climate protection or on social aspects of sustainability such as participation and equality. 

As part of the UEFA EURO 2024 cultural programme, the topic of sustainability is also receiving a great deal of attention. The "Radical Playgrounds" art trail at the Gropius Bau, for example, looks at the topic of competition from a social perspective. As part of the "Green your Game" project, school classes can register for a simulation game in which they learn about production and distribution factors using the example of sports textiles - from the conditions of manufacturing to advertising by influencers. The "Naturally Football" campaign enables German amateur clubs to take part in sustainability workshops for a year.

FUTURE HUB in the fan zone at the Reichstag

The so-called "FUTURE HUB" can be found in the fan zone at the Reichstag. This is where sustainability initiatives and projects relating to the European Football Championship will be presented. Over 100 projects are part of the FUTURE LEAGUE, the communication platform for all sustainability projects. These include the Aktionsbündnis Fairer Handel Berlin, 1. FC Union, but also numerous campaigns by the Berlin districts. 

On 8 July, the FUTURE DAY will also take place as part of the UEFA EURO 2024 programme, during which there will also be exciting activities, discussion rounds and workshops by the participating projects in the fan zone at the Reichstag.

More about FUTURE DAY

The legacy of UEFA EURO 2024 

At the heart of the UEFA EURO 2024 mission statement is the legacy that the "most sustainable EURO ever" will leave behind. The aim is to have a long-term positive effect on society, motivate people to act more sustainably and give something back to the local population. The promotion of Berlin sports clubs is just one element of this concept, which encompasses the areas of ecology, social affairs, economy and governance.

In preparation for the UEFA EURO 2024, the cycling infrastructure around the Olympiastadion was improved and the lighting was converted to LED across the board. Massive construction work was carried out in and around the Olympiastadion  to improve accessibility. Of course, the Fan Zone will also be barrier-free. 

Mission Statement UEFA EURO 2024

Rolled turf - from the Fan Zone to the soccer pitch in the neighborhood

While natural turf may seem like the more sustainable solution for a soccer pitch at first glance, it requires a great deal of maintenance and an enormous amount of water. Turf on which soccer is played is subject to great stress. For this reason, artificial turf is the more durable and sustainable alternative here.

The Berlin Fan Zone between the Brandenburg Gate and the Victory Column will be completely covered with artificial turf for UEFA EURO 2024. It will not be disposed of after the end of the super event. Local soccer clubs and soccer pitches will receive the cleaned turf so that they have a beautiful surface to play on for many years to come. The turf is produced in a CO2-reduced manner and is 100% recyclable.

UEFA guidelines for sustainable infrastructure

UEFA presented its own guidelines for sustainable infrastructure around the venues and future major events back in 2022. The long-term plan is to be implemented by 2030 and is already being widely applied for UEFA EURO 2024.

In the guidelines, UEFA assumes responsibility with regard to current scientific findings and recognizes the impact of soccer on the environment. It also recognizes how important social cohesion within soccer is for transforming society - on the one hand, to convince people of the importance of environmental issues and, on the other, to promote social commitment.

Some important points from the guidelines include:

• Optimization of resource consumption of venues and Fan Zones
• Reduction of emissions, both in the form of CO2 and noise and light emissions
• Reduction of and smarter solutions for waste and wastewater
• Enforcement of human and workers' rights
• Regulation and control of the guidelines
  
  guidelines for sustainable infrastructure

Use public transport with tickets for the UEFA EURO 2024

On the occasion of UEFA EURO 2024, holders of tickets to the matches will receive special conditions for train tickets and local public transport. There is a discounted combined ticket that allows fans to travel from match to match by train within Germany. This also includes local public transport in the respective region. A special Interrail Pass was also launched for the UEFA EURO 2024. It enables EU citizens to travel through 33 countries. If you don't need a combined ticket or Interrail Pass, you can use local public transport completely free of charge with an admission ticket to one of the matches.

By the way: theUEFA EURO 2024 match schedule has been specially designed to minimize travel for players and fans. Each team will play twice in a cluster, which means fewer changes of location are necessary.

Overview of all discounts

Travel responsibly and make a contribution

Despite all the guidelines and organizational adjustments, it is still you, the visitors to the UEFA EURO 2024, who can make the biggest difference. At the end of the day, the behavior of football fans will determine whether the sidewalks will be lined with garbage and whether all visitors feel comfortable and welcome.

Our recommendations for a peaceful and sustainable UEFA EURO 2024:

• Take a zero-waste kit with you to avoid waste and say "no" to disposable products. In the official UEFA EURO 2024 fan zones, only reusable crockery will be available, for which you should plan a deposit. 
• Use the public drinking water fountains of the Berlin waterworks to fill your own drinking bottle. Free drinking water is also available in the official UEFA EURO 2024 fan zones and you are allowed to take bottles with a capacity of up to 0.5 litres inside. Please note: Glass bottles are not permitted.
• Use reusable offers
• Getting around and sightseeing by bike
• Book certified eco-hotels
• Be tolerant and considerate of others