The UEFA European Football Championship

7 min readMay 30, 2024

The UEFA European Football Championship, or simply Euro, is Europe's top association football tournament. UEFA organizes it. Senior men’s national teams from UEFA countries play to win the title. This event takes place every four years, with the first edition in 1960. Euro 2024 will happen in Germany, from June 14 to July 14. That will be its 17th edition.1

Key Takeaways:

The UEFA European Football Championship, known as the European Championship or Euro, is the primary association football tournament organized by UEFA.
Euro 2024 will be the 17th edition of the tournament and will take place in Germany from June 14 to July 14, 2024.
The competition will feature 24 teams, including the host nation Germany, and will be contested by notable teams such as Italy, England, France, Portugal, and Spain.
The tournament will be held in various cities across Germany, including Berlin, Munich, and Cologne.
Euro 2024 returns to the usual four-year cycle after the 2020 edition was postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.1

The UEFA European Football Championship, or Euro, is a major tournament for Europe’s national teams. Since 1960, the best teams have been competing every four years. Euro 2024 will be the tournament’s 17th edition, taking place in Germany. Its dates are set for June 14 to July 14. A total of 24 teams will compete to be the champions.1

History of the UEFA European Championship

Before the UEFA European Championship, Europe had regional tournaments. In 1927, Henri Delaunay suggested a Europe-wide football event. The goal was to have countries face off for a continental title.1

The first meeting started in 1960, won by the Soviet Union. Back then, four countries played over months. Over time, the tournament changed its name and how it’s played to suit Europe football’s growth.1

Recently, Spain won back-to-back titles in 2008 and 2012. In 2021, Italy took the championship, proving they are a strong team.1

Format Changes and Memorable Moments

The European Championship has grown over the years. In the beginning, only four teams competed. Now, 24 teams battle for the title.1

“The tournament has provided fans with unforgettable moments throughout its history. From Marco van Basten’s stunning volley in 1988 to Greece’s surprising triumph in 2004, the European Championship has been a platform for both established powerhouses and underdogs to shine on the international stage,” said UEFA President, Aleksander Čeferin.1

Rising stars shine in this championship. They use it to show their skills to the world. It has helped players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Michel Platini, and Oliver Bierhoff become famous.1

The Pursuit of European Glory

Everyone looks forward to the UEFA European Championship. It’s where countries show their best, united in their sportsmanship. The event is full of excitement and intense games.1

With each new event, the stakes get higher. Teams face tough competition and surprise outcomes. This is their chance to become part of European football history.1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzVnTqqFfN0

UEFA European Championship Winners

Year Host Country Champion Runner-up 1960 France Soviet Union Yugoslavia 1964 Spain Spain Soviet Union 1968 Italy Italy Yugoslavia 1972 Belgium West Germany Soviet Union 1976 Yugoslavia Czechoslovakia West Germany 1980 Italy West Germany Belgium 1984 France France Spain 1988 West Germany Netherlands Soviet Union 1992 Sweden Denmark Germany 1996 England Germany Czech Republic 2000 Belgium/Netherlands France Italy 2004 Portugal Greece Portugal 2008 Austria/Switzerland Spain Germany 2012 Poland/Ukraine Spain Italy 2016 France Portugal France 2021 Various Italy England

UEFA Euro 2024 Host and Venues

Germany is the host country for UEFA Euro 2024. It will showcase 10 cities, including Berlin, Munich, and Dortmund. Each will hold matches in their stadiums, known from the 2006 FIFA World Cup.2This marks the third time Euro matches will play in Germany. It’s the first time for a united Germany to host alone.

Here is the list of venues and their capacities:

Venue Capacity Notable Events Berlin’s Olympiastadion 71,000 2006 FIFA World Cup final, 2015 UEFA Champions League final Cologne Stadium 43,000 2020 UEFA Europa League final Dortmund’s BVB Stadion 62,000 2001 UEFA Cup final Düsseldorf Arena 47,000 1988 UEFA European Championship group games Frankfurt Arena 47,000 2002 UEFA Women’s Cup final, 2006 World Cup quarter-final Gelsenkirchen’s Arena AufSchalke 50,000 2004 UEFA Champions League final, 2006 World Cup quarter-final Hamburg’s Volksparkstadion 49,000 2010 Europa League final, 2006 World Cup quarter-final Leipzig Stadium 40,000 2006 World Cup group stage and round of 16 games Munich Football Arena 66,000 2012 UEFA Champions League final, EURO 2020 quarter-final Stuttgart Arena 51,000 1998 European Cup final, 2006 World Cup third-place play-off

These cities and stadiums will offer an amazing time for football fans at Euro 2024.

UEFA Euro 2024 Qualification and Teams

The UEFA Euro 2024 tournament will show off124 different teams from across Europe. It will include teams like last time’s winners,1Italy, and runners-up3England. Other big teams like3France,3Portugal,3Spain, and3Belgium will be there too. The host,1Germany, has its place secured because it’s where the games will be played.

To fill the rest of the123 spots, teams had to qualify in their own contests. A total of 53 member countries of UEFA sent their teams to fight in these qualifiers. They played for a chance to join the main event.

In the qualifiers, teams were sorted into ten groups. Some groups had five teams, and some had six. Each group had a goal to be number one or two. The top two from each group earned a direct ticket to Euro 2024. The last three spots were fought for in play-offs.

Some big teams missed out on the Euro 2024 chance, like1Sweden,1Russia,1Wales,1North Macedonia, and1Finland. They just couldn’t make it to the top of their groups in the qualifiers.

Qualified Teams for UEFA Euro 2024:

Group A Group B Group C

Germany
Scotland
Hungary
Switzerland
Spain
Croatia
Italy
Albania
Slovenia
Denmark
Serbia
England

Group D Group E Group F

Poland
Netherlands
Austria
France
Belgium
Slovakia
Romania
Ukraine
Turkey
Georgia
Portugal
Czechia

Georgia will make its first-ever appearance at a European Championship. They join Turkey, Portugal, and Czechia in Group F. The games start with Germany facing Scotland on June 14, 2024. The final match will be in Berlin on July 14, 2024.

Many believe Germany, Spain, France, and Portugal have good chances to win Euro 2024. They have a history of winning at the Euros. Fans can expect exciting matches and great plays from these teams and their key players.

It’s important to mention that Russia won’t be at Euro 2024 because of its actions in Ukraine. Both UEFA and FIFA have suspended Russia from their competitions.

Team Base Camps and Squad News

For UEFA Euro 2024, teams pick their “team base camps” carefully. These camps are where teams live and train during the championship. It gives them a place to feel at home while they’re away.

These base camps are in Germany close to the match stadiums. This makes it easier for the teams to focus on their game without long travel times. They can quickly go to their match venues from their camp.

The team base camps play a crucial role in fostering team unity and camaraderie, as players and coaching staff spend a significant amount of time together off the pitch.

Soon, news about the teams and their players will come out. Coaches will pick the best players for the matches. Fans and experts will look forward to seeing who makes the team.

The performance of key players will be key for each team’s success. People will follow news and updates closely to guess at the tournament’s outcomes.

Team Base Camp Locations

The chosen base camps offer top-notch training areas and cozy places to stay. Teams will use these camps as a team home, building strong bonds as they prepare for the tournament.

Team base camps serve as the foundation for a successful tournament campaign, offering teams the necessary infrastructure and support to compete at the highest level.

Fans will be on the lookout for more information as Euro 2024 nears. They’ll want to know about the squads, preparations at the base camps, and, of course, the exciting matches ahead.

References:4,1,5

Conclusion

The UEFA Euro 2024 will be a thrill for football fans around the globe. It runs from June 14 to July 14, 2024. The event will highlight the best of European football as top teams vie for victory.

Germany is the proud host of Euro 2024. It’s a great chance for the country to show its fantastic football stadiums and the passion of its fans. The final match will take place at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. This stadium has seen key matches, like in the World Cup and UEFA finals.6

The action starts at the Allianz Arena in Munich on Friday, June 14, 2024. It will run for a month, ending with a spectacular final match in Berlin’s Olympiastadion on Sunday, July 14, 2024.7

Excitement is high as fans wait for news on teams and game schedules. This will make the Euro 2024 truly immersive. About 2.5 million fans, with 1.9 million from 120 nations in just Berlin, will ensure an amazing atmosphere.8

FAQ

When is UEFA Euro 2024 scheduled to take place?

UEFA Euro 2024 is set between June 14 and July 14, 2024.

How often is the UEFA European Championship held?

It happens every four years. Yet, in 2020, COVID-19 postponed it to 2021. So, the last one was in 2021.

Who won the most recent UEFA European Championship?

Italy emerged as the winner in 2021’s UEFA European Championship.

How many teams will participate in UEFA Euro 2024?

UEFA Euro 2024 will have 24 teams competing.

How are the 24 spots for UEFA Euro 2024 determined?

The winners and runners-up of the 10 groups get in directly. Three spots come from play-offs.

Which countries automatically qualify for UEFA Euro 2024?

Germany, the host country, automatically qualifies for UEFA Euro 2024.

Where will UEFA Euro 2024 matches be held?

The matches will happen in 10 cities in Germany. They include Berlin, Munich, and more.

What are team base camps and how are they used in the tournament?

Team base camps are where teams train and stay during the games. Teams travel for matches but return to their base.

When will squad announcements and selections be made for UEFA Euro 2024?

Coaches will pick their teams closer to the start of Euro 2024. They’ll consider players’ shape and performance.

What can fans expect from UEFA Euro 2024?

They can look forward to thrilling matches. The tournament will present Europe’s best football. Teams will fight for the continental title.