Germany to host the Euro 2024
The time has come for another big football tournament in Germany: The Deutscher Fußballbund (German Football Association) has won the bid to host the men’s 2024 European Championship, beating its sole competitor, Turkey, twelve votes to four with one abstention. This means that the DFB's promotion concept hit the mark.
Following the decision, DFB President Reinhard Grindel said: 'I am grateful for the incredible support. I feel a great sense of responsibility. This proves that transparency and openness contribute to such great success. We are going to invest a large amount of money in the stadium infrastructure. This will bring more young people back into the clubs. We will do everything we can to live up to the expectations.'
The decision had already been announced by UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin on 27 September 2018 at 3:21 pm in Nyon, Switzerland. On 5 October 2021, representatives of UEFA and DFB presented the official logo along with the ten host city brands and the official slogan of UEFA Euro 2024 at the Berlin Olympiastadion.
The matches will be held in Berlin, Cologne, Dortmund, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Gelsenkirchen, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich und Stuttgart. One million tickets will be on sale.
Group drawings at the Elbphilharmonie
Both UEFA and the City of Hamburg agreed that the drawings for the UEFA Euro 2024 group phase will take place at the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg. The final round draw in December 2023 will determine six groups of four in which the top European national men’s teams will compete the following summer.
'It is a great honour for us as an Active City', says Andy Grote, Hamburg’s senator of the interior and sports in Hamburg, 'to be one of the ten host cities of the Euro and that the group drawings will take place here. And the Elbphilharmonie is a cultural landmark that will add a suitable backdrop to the excitement of the final round draw. I am positive that Hamburg will transport spectacular images and excite anticipation for a great football championship with Germany as an excellent host!'
Martin Kallen, the CEO of UEFA Events SA, said: 'We look forward to the final draw in Germany’s northernmost Euro venue. The Elbe Philharmonic Hall is a spectacular setting, with its unique architecture and phenomenal reputation. The final round draw marks the point where the competition starts hotting up and the ceremony at the Philharmonic Hall is an excellent calling card for Hamburg, Germany and Europe as a whole'.
A tournament for everyone
The DFB emphasised the social power of football, which should unite people - regardless of country of origin, religion or age, football should be for everyone and comes with shared joy and passion.
On 21 September 2018, the UEFA Executive Committee had already carried out an initial assessment of the two candidate nations. The German bid scored very well, as the UEFA praised the DFB’s 'inspiring, creative and very professional vision'. Philipp Lahm, Germany's ambassador for the Euro 2024, is also satisfied with UEFA’s initial conclusion: 'The report shows that we have been taking our mission seriously over the past months and that UEFA is rewarding our strengths'.
Second Euro championship in Germany
2024 will mark the first UEFA European Football Championship in Germany since 1988 - the first since east and west reunified in 1990. DFB chair Reinhard Grindel had promoted the DFB’s strategy to bring the Euro 2024 to Germany at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon on 1 March 2017. To send a strong signal, all of German football, players and officials alike, stood united and determined to back up the bid.
'The UEFA Euro 2024 is a flagship project for the whole of German football', says Grindel about the UEFA’s decision. 'It is a great opportunity for our country, not only for the top-level officials, but for all aspects of football life in Germany, above all for our roughly 25,000 amateur clubs'.
Come to Hamburg
For anyone interested in visiting Hamburg for either the drawing or the games, there’s plenty to discover in this city by the Elbe River. Have a look through our hotel and hostel recommendations to find the perfect place to stay, browse restaurants and bars, or book a special city tour.
There are also many reasons to extend your stay in Hamburg. The city is famous for its musical theatre scene, so perhaps taking in a show or two is in order. The beloved Reeperbahn nightlife district is also a favourite for visitors and locals alike, with many of the city’s best bars, clubs and variety shows in one neighbourhood. Finally, no trip to Hamburg is complete with fully exploring the city’s maritime side. Hamburg has a long maritime history and has the sites and events to prove it. So, take a tour of the port, visit some museum ships and - of course - make time for the famous Sunday morning fish market.
For more information on the DFB’s application for the Euro 2024, see United by Football (German Only)
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