UEFA Euro 2024: What Fans Need to Know

UEFA Euro 2024 took place in Germany from June 14 to July 14, 2024, bringing Europe’s top national teams together across several cities. If you’re catching up or planning how to follow the tournament, this page gathers the practical stuff: format, key venues, how to watch, ticket tips, and what to expect on matchday.

Format, dates and where matches were played

The tournament used a 24-team format with a group stage followed by knockouts (round of 16, quarter-finals, semis, final). Group matches ran in mid-June, knockouts in late June and early July, and the final was in July. Germany hosted games in major cities including Munich, Berlin, Dortmund, Gelsenkirchen, Hamburg, Cologne, Stuttgart, Leipzig and Düsseldorf. Berlin’s Olympiastadion held the final.

Teams qualified through European qualifying groups and playoffs. Match schedules were set by UEFA with kick-off times spread to suit TV audiences across Europe. For fans, that meant weekday evening fixtures and weekend double-headers to fit different time zones.

How to watch, buy tickets and enjoy matchday

Broadcast rights varied by country. National broadcasters and streaming partners carried live matches; many also offered highlights and condensed replays. If you missed a live game, official UEFA channels and many broadcasters posted clips and full-match replays shortly after kick-off. Check your local sports provider for package details and any pay-per-view restrictions.

Tickets sold in phases: initial public sale, fan-to-fan resale, and last-minute allocations through federations. Tips: register early with UEFA’s portal or your national association, use verified resale channels only, and expect mobile-only tickets at many stadiums. Prices ranged widely depending on the stage and seat category, so plan budget accordingly.

On matchday, arrive early. Stadia had strict bag rules and security checks. Use public transport — host cities boosted services on game days and offered matchday trains and buses. Fan zones in city centers streamed matches and created a safer, lively place to watch if you don’t have a stadium ticket. Bring a portable charger and check local weather: summer in Germany can be hot or showery.

For fans watching from outside Europe, look for regional broadcast partners or official UEFA streaming options. If using a VPN to access home-country streams, make sure it complies with broadcaster terms.

Key things to track during the tournament: squad fitness and late injuries, group standings and goal difference rules, and suspension rules (yellow card accumulation). If you follow fantasy games or betting, keep lineups and pre-game press conferences on your radar — managers often drop useful hints about rotations.

Want the latest match reports, player updates, or tactical reads from across Africa and Europe? Continental Scout Daily covers Euro stories that matter to African fans, with match summaries, standout players, and viewing advice tailored for our audience.