Euro 2024 explained IN FULL: Dates, fixture schedule, UK kick-off times, stadiums and groups for showpiece tournament in Germany
Euro 2024 is fast approaching as Germany prepare to host the 17th edition of the UEFA European Championship.
Because Euro 2020 was delayed and the Qatar World Cup was moved to last winter, the international football calendar is more condensed than ever.
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Italy are the defending European champions after they beat England on penalties at WembleyAnd it means the next Euros are already just around corner.
Germany are set to host the 2024 edition of UEFA’s flagship international tournament and they are ready to welcome the rest of Europe.
The event will be held in the summer at the end of the 2023/24 domestic season, so the Premier League and other top European divisions can operate as normal.
England will be among the favourites for glory after sailing through qualification while Scotland will also be at the showpiece tournament.
READ MORE ON EURO 2024Euro 2024 datesThere will be 51 games at the tournament and the football will get underway on Friday, June 14 at the Allianz Arena in Munich.
The group stage is set to run until Wednesday, June 26, with the knockout stage scheduled to begin on Saturday, June 29.
Euro 2024 will last for one month, with the final set to be held on Sunday, July 14 at the 70,000-capacity Olympiastadion in Berlin.
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The incredibly impressive Olympiastadion in Berlin will host the final
Euro 2024: Key dates
June 14: Opening game
June 29: Round of 16 starts
July 5: Quarter-finals start
July 9: Semi-finals start
July 14: Final
Euro 2024: How the tournament worksThere will be 24 countries competing at Euro 2024, including hosts Germany who will be looking for their fourth tournament win.
Most read in Euro 2024
There will be a round of 16 before the quarter-finals as the top two teams from the six groups go through.
And they will be joined by the four best third-placed teams to form the last 16.
The knockout rounds then progress until the final.
There will not be a third-place play-off at Euro 2024.
Euro 2024: The venuesThis edition of UEFA’s premier international tournament is set to be held in Germany and ten stadiumsĀ have been selected.
Borussia Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park (BVB Stadion Dortmund), with a capacity of 66,000, will be one such venue.
Dortmund’s near neighbours Schalke will also see the Veltins Arena (Arena AufSchalke) used.
Not many of the stadia are close to each other, but Germany boasts a superb rail network that will ensure travelling to each ground won’t be difficult.
Euro 2024 Stadiums
Olympiastadion Berlin
Cologne Stadium (RheinEnergieSTADION)
BVB Stadion Dortmund (Signal Iduna Park)
Dusseldorf Arena (Merkur Spielarena)
Frankfurt Arena (Deutsche Bank Park)
Arena AufSchalke (Veltins Arena)
Volksparkstadion Hamburg
Leipzig Stadium (Red Bull Arena)
Munich Football Arena (Allianz Arena)
Stuttgart Arena
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Dortmund’s impressive home venue has a reduced capacity for international games
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The Veltins Arena will host 55,000 people at Euro 2024
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England are set to book their place at the tournamentCredit: GettyEuro 2024: GroupsGermany have qualified as hosts while England and Scotland have booked their places too.
The draw for the groups has been conducted and there are some cracking ties.
Group A
A1: GermanyĀ
A2: Scotland
A3: Hungary
A4: Switzerland
Group B
B1: Spain
B2: Croatia
B3: Italy
B4: Albania
Group C
C1: Slovenia
C2: Denmark
C3: Serbia
C4: England
Group D
D1: Poland
D2: Netherlands
D3: Austria
D4: France
Group E
E1: Belgium
E2: Slovakia
E3: Romania
E4: Ukraine
Group F
F1: Turkey
F2: Georgia
F3: Portugal
F4: Czechia
Euro 2024: How did Germany earn the tournament?Germany were awarded this edition of the Euros in 2018 after 17 members of the UEFA executive committee voted for the three-time winners over Turkey.
The vote took place at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, and this will be the first time they have hosted the event since 1988.
Germany hasĀ top infrastructure in placeĀ and minimal work will be required ahead of the tournament, which was the main reason Turkey lost out.
But Turkey’s poor human rights record was also taken into account.
So, Germany emerged as the obvious choice for UEFA’s flagship international competition.
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Germany have a strong football heritage and appear ideal hostsCredit: GettyEuro 2024: Weather and kick-off timesWeather in Germany in June and July is very similar to the UK, with Berlin’s average temperature over summer between 16C and 22C.
Therefore, the weather shouldn’t be a problem for the players or fans.
Kick-off times for the majority of the matches have yet to be confirmed, but we know when the opening group game will start.
Read More on talkSPORTKick-off at the Allianz Arena is set for 9pm CEST time, which would be 8pm UK time.
The semi-finals and final are also set to kick off at 8pm in the UK.
