Preparations for the 2024 European Football Championship in Germany are in full swing and the cities of Cologne, Düsseldorf, Dortmund and Gelsenkirchen promise football fans from all over the world an unforgettable experience. What German fans and guests can expect during the European Championship in North Rhine-Westphalia.
During the European Championship, four preliminary round games and one round of 16 will be played in Cologne: Hungary against Switzerland (June 15th, 3:00 p.m.), Scotland against Switzerland (June 19th, 9:00 p.m.), Belgium against Romania (June 22nd , 9:00 p.m.) and England against Slovenia (June 25, 9:00 p.m.) and finally a round of 16 on June 30 from 9:00 p.m.
The central contact point for fans from all over the world is the approximately 3,700 square meter fan zone on the Heumarkt, which can accommodate up to 7,500 visitors. This zone impresses with Cologne football flair and ambience, which is characterized, among other things, by four twelve-meter-high, illuminated pylons at the corners, which are modeled on the Cologne European Championship stadium. All European Championship games will be broadcast here on a total of three screens. The fan mile offers numerous hands-on activities and ensures variety.
Aside from the football action, the Rhine metropolis offers a variety of cultural highlights. Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, rises majestically over the city and offers breathtaking views from the south tower. Cologne’s old town with its narrow streets and historic buildings invites you to stroll, while the Rheinauhafen with its modern architecture and the famous crane houses forms a fascinating contrast. The gastronomic offering is also diverse and ranges from traditional breweries with Kölsch and hearty Rhenish cuisine to international restaurants.
A total of five games will take place in the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Düsseldorf during the 2024 European Championship, three in the group phase and two in the knockout round: Austria against France (June 17, 9:00 p.m.), Slovakia against Ukraine (21. June, 3:00 p.m.), Albania versus Spain (June 24, 9:00 p.m.) as well as a round of 16 (July 1, 6:00 p.m.) and a quarter-final (July 6, 6:00 p.m.).
Düsseldorf is known for its elegant Königsallee, one of Europe’s leading luxury shopping streets, and for its Old Town, considered the “longest bar in the world” and offering a variety of pubs, breweries and restaurants. Those interested in culture can visit the Kunstpalast Museum with its impressive collection of works of art from the Middle Ages to modern times. A walk along the Rhine, especially at sunset, offers breathtaking views and a relaxing atmosphere.
The supporting program in Düsseldorf is spread across three fan zones: On the Rhine promenade, all games of the German national team as well as all games played in Düsseldorf will be broadcast on large screens. The Düsseldorfer Schauspielhaus opens its fan zone on all days of the event, which is illuminated in the evenings with a special EM light installation. Fans can also watch all the European Championship games on a large screen on Burgplatz. In addition, the fan zone offers a varied stage program and activities for the whole family, which are organized by local clubs under the leadership of the Lower Rhine Football Association.
Dortmund is a city with a rich football history. Signal Iduna Park, home of Borussia Dortmund, will attract large numbers of fans during the European Championships. But Dortmund has more to offer than football. The city is a center of industrial and cultural history, as shown by the “Dortmunder U”, a former brewery building that is now a center for art and creativity. The Rombergpark Botanical Garden offers a green oasis in the middle of the city and invites you to take relaxing walks. The Thier Gallery and the Dortmund Center for Music and Culture round off the city’s diverse offerings.
The Westfalenpark, Dortmund’s largest park, will be the central contact point for football enthusiasts during the European Championships. Throughout the tournament, up to 25,000 people can watch the games live on a 144 square meter large screen. The focus is on the six games in Dortmund, all games of the German national team and the grand final. When the German team plays or games in Dortmund, all games on the respective match day are also broadcast.
The group games will first take place in Dortmund: Italy against Albania (June 15th, 9:00 p.m.), Turkey against Georgia (June 18th, 6:00 p.m.), Turkey against Portugal (June 22nd, 6:00 p.m.) and France against Poland (June 25, 6:00 p.m.). A round of 16 (June 29th, 9:00 p.m.) and one of the two semi-finals (July 10th, 9:00 p.m.) will then be played here.
Gelsenkirchen, also called the “City of a Thousand Fires” because of its industrial past, also plays a central role during the European Championships. Three group games and one knockout game will be played in the Veltins Arena, the home of FC Schalke 04: Serbia vs. England (June 16, 9:00 p.m.), Spain vs. Italy (June 20, 9:00 p.m.) and Georgia versus Portugal (June 26, 9:00 p.m.) and a round of 16 (June 30, 6:00 p.m.).
The city itself offers numerous attractions that go far beyond its industrial past. The Nordsternpark, a former colliery site, now offers a mixture of relaxation, art and culture. Visitors can marvel at the impressive architecture of the Zollverein Coal Mine, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and learn more about the region’s industrial history. In addition, Gelsenkirchen offers a lively cultural scene with theaters, museums and music events.
The Gelsenkirchen fan mile during the European Championship is unique: the former mine site in Nordsternpark, which has been revived as a landscape park, is transformed into a football paradise for a month. The amphitheater in the south of Nordsternpark, a well-known venue for concerts, will be used for public viewing. All games played in the AufSchalke Arena, as well as the games of the German national team, will be broadcast live on a large screen for thousands of fans. During the breaks between the games and the entertainment program, visitors can enjoy the picturesque view of the Rhine-Herne Canal.
