The UEFA Euro 2024 is set to kick off in Germany, and Nigerian football fans are in for a treat. This year's tournament features a bumper crop of talented players with Nigerian heritage, ready to make their mark on the competition.
Get ready for divided loyalties and plenty of Nigerian flair. Whether you're cheering for the dazzling footwork of Bukayo Saka, Ebere Eze, and Curtis Jones (England), the experience of David Alaba (Austria), the defensive solidity of Manuel Akanji (Switzerland), or the rising star Noah Okafor (Switzerland), there's a ‘Naija boy' to support. Don't forget Jamal Musiala tearing up the midfield for Germany – the Euro stage awaits him.
This Euro 2024 promises to be a thrilling tournament, and Nigerian fans will have their eyes glued to the action, following the journeys of these talented footballers. Will any of the ‘Naija boys' lift the Euro 2024 trophy?
When is Euro 2024?
The UEFA Euro 2024 kicks off in Germany on Friday 14 June 2024. The tournament will run for a full month, culminating in the grand finale on Sunday 14 July 2024.
The group stage is where the excitement begins. Buckle up for two weeks of intense competition from 14 June to 26 June. Each of the 24 participating nations will battle it out in their respective groups, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the knockout stages.
The knockout stages, starting on 29 June, are where the stakes get even higher. The Round of 16 will see the 16 remaining teams vie for a spot in the quarterfinals. Victories from here on out are crucial, as a single loss eliminates a team from the competition. The quarterfinals will be played on 3 and 4 July, followed by the semifinals on 9 and 10 July. Finally, the two remaining teams will face off on 14 July at the iconic Berlin Olympic Stadium to determine the Euro 2024 champion.
So, mark your calendars and prepare for a month of nail-biting action as Europe's best national teams battle for continental glory.
Where is Euro 2024 taking place?
Germany is gearing up to host the Euro 2024 football championship, the 17th edition of the UEFA European Championship. This will be a homecoming of sorts for the tournament, as it marks the first time the competition will be held in what was formerly East Germany. Leipzig, a city in the former East, will be amongst the ten host cities.
This also signifies a significant milestone for a reunified Germany. Having hosted the 1988 edition under West Germany, Euro 2024 will be the first time a unified Germany takes center stage for this major football event. The 2006 FIFA World Cup was another successful hosting experience for the nation, and Germany is sure to create a vibrant and electric atmosphere for Euro 2024. Ten top-class stadiums across the country will be buzzing with excitement as fans from all over Europe come together to celebrate the beautiful game.
Euro 2024 Stadiums
Olympiastadion Berlin
The biggest venue at EURO 2024, the Olympiastadion has staged every German Cup final since 1985, as well as several high-profile games on the continental and international stage. Berlin hosted the 2006 World Cup final between Italy and France. Nine years later, Barcelona beat Juventus at the Olympiastadion Berlin to win the 2015 UEFA Champions League final.
- Stadium capacity: 71,000
- Home team: Hertha Berlin
- Notably hosted: 2006 FIFA World Cup final, 2015 UEFA Champions League final
EURO 2024 matches
15/06: Spain vs Croatia (18:00)
21/06: Poland vs Austria (18:00)
25/06: Netherlands vs Austria (18:00)
29/06: Round of 16 – 2A vs 2B (18:00)
06/07: Quarter-final (21:00)
14/07: Final (21:00)
Cologne Stadium
The home ground of 1. FC Köln, Cologne Stadium was reconstructed to stage matches at the 2006 World Cup and since 2010 has been the regular venue for Germany's Women's Cup final, as well as hosting American football, ice hockey and music concerts.
- Stadium capacity: 43,000
- Home team: 1. FC Köln
- Notably hosted: 2020 UEFA Europa League final
EURO 2024 matches
15/06: Hungary vs Switzerland (15:00)
19/06: Scotland vs Switzerland (21:00)
22/06: Belgium vs Romania (21:00)
25/06: England vs Slovenia (21:00)
30/06: Round of 16 – 1B vs 3A/D/E/F (21:00)
BVB Stadion Dortmund
One of the most renowned venues in world football thanks to its famous ‘Yellow Wall' stand, the BVB Stadion Dortmund is one of the largest arenas at UEFA EURO 2024 and has hosted a string of World Cup and European football fixtures, including the 2001 UEFA Cup final between Liverpool and Deportivo Alavés.
- Stadium capacity: 62,000
- Home team: Borussia Dortmund
- Notably hosted: 2001 UEFA Cup final
EURO 2024 matches
15/06: Italy vs Albania (21:00)
18/06: Türkiye vs Georgia (18:00)
22/06: Türkiye vs Portugal (18:00)
25/06: France vs Poland (18:00)
29/06: Round of 16 – 1A vs 2C (21:00)
10/07: Semi-final (21:00)
Düsseldorf Arena
The Düsseldorf Arena is one of the smaller UEFA EURO 2024 venues but still has a capacity of well over 40,000 and is currently home to Fortuna Düsseldorf, whose most recent Bundesliga campaign came in 2019/20.
- Stadium capacity: 47,000
- Home team: Fortuna Düsseldorf
- Notably hosted: 1988 UEFA European Championship group games (former Rheinstadion)
EURO 2024 matches
17/06: Austria vs France (21:00)
21/06: Slovakia vs Ukraine (15:00)
24/06: Albania vs Spain (21:00)
01/07: Round of 16 – 2D vs 2E (18:00)
06/07: Quarter-final (18:00)
Frankfurt Arena
The Frankfurt Arena, home of Eintracht Frankfurt, was built in 1925 and has hosted games at several major tournaments including the 1988 UEFA European Championship and the 2006 World Cup.
- Stadium capacity: 47,000
- Home team: Eintracht Frankfurt
- Notably hosted: 2002 UEFA Women's Cup final, 2006 World Cup quarter-final
EURO 2024 matches
17/06: Belgium vs Slovakia (18:00)
20/06: Denmark vs England (18:00)
23/06: Switzerland vs Germany (21:00)
26/06: Slovakia vs Romania (18:00)
01/07: Round of 16 – 1F vs 3A/B/C (21:00)
Arena AufSchalke
The Arena AufSchalke, which opened in August 2001, is the home of seven-time German champions and 1996/97 UEFA Cup winners Schalke and features a retractable roof and slide-out pitch. Cristiano Ronaldo provided a memorable moment here for Portugal in their shoot-out success over England at the 2006 World Cup.
- Stadium capacity: 50,000
- Home team: Schalke
- Notably hosted: 2004 UEFA Champions League final, 2006 World Cup quarter-final
EURO 2024 matches
16/06: Serbia vs England (21:00)
20/06: Spain vs Italy (21:00)
26/06: Georgia vs Portugal (21:00)
30/06: Round of 16 – 1C vs 3D/E/F (18:00)
Volksparkstadion Hamburg
The Volksparkstadion Hamburg was first opened in 1953 but received a significant upgrade in 2000 and has hosted matches at the 1988 UEFA European Championship and the 1974 and 2006 World Cups.
- Stadium capacity: 49,000
- Home team: Hamburger SV
- Notably hosted: 2010 Europa League final, 2006 World Cup quarter-final
EURO 2024 matches
16/06: Poland vs Netherlands (15:00)
19/06: Croatia vs Albania (15:00)
22/06: Georgia vs Czechia (15:00)
26/06: Czechia vs Türkiye (21:00)
05/07: Quarter-final (21:00)
Leipzig Stadium
Home to Bundesliga side RB Leipzig, Leipzig Stadium – which features a state-of-the-art roof – opened in 2004, having been rebuilt inside the shell of the old Zentralstadion, the biggest stadium in the former East Germany.
- Stadium capacity: 40,000
- Home team: RB Leipzig
- Notably hosted: 2006 World Cup group stage and round of 16 games
EURO 2024 matches
18/06: Portugal vs Czechia (21:00)
21/06: Netherlands vs France (21:00)
24/06: Croatia vs Italy (21:00)
02/07: Round of 16 – 1D vs 2F (21:00)
Munich Football Arena
Built by local rivals Bayern München and 1860 München, the Munich Football Arena was opened in 2005, although Bayern have since taken full ownership of the stadium. It served up a memorable 2012 Champions League final, when Chelsea defied home advantage to beat Bayern on penalties, and held several UEFA EURO 2020 games, including Italy's 2-1 quarter-final victory against Belgium.
- Stadium capacity: 66,000
- Home team: Bayern München
- Notably hosted: 2012 UEFA Champions League final, EURO 2020 quarter-final
EURO 2024 matches
14/06: Germany vs Scotland (21:00)
17/06: Romania vs Ukraine (15:00)
20/06: Slovenia vs Serbia (15:00)
25/06: Denmark vs Serbia (21:00)
02/07: Round of 16 – 1E vs 3A/B/C/D (18:00)
09/07: Semi-final (21:00)
Stuttgart Arena
The Stuttgart Arena has been renovated and modernised several times since being built in 1993 and has staged games at the 1974 and 2006 World Cups, as well as the 1988 UEFA European Championship.
- Stadium capacity: 51,000
- Home team: VfB Stuttgart
- Notably hosted: 1998 European Cup final, 2006 World Cup third-place play-off
EURO 2024 matches
16/06: Slovenia vs Denmark (18:00)
19/06: Germany vs Hungary (18:00)
23/06: Scotland vs Hungary (21:00)
26/06: Ukraine vs Belgium (18:00)
05/07: Quarter-final (18:00)
Who qualified for Euro 2024?
| Team | Qualified As | Qualified On | Previous Appearances |
| Germany | Host | 27 September 2018 | 13 |
| Belgium | Group F Winner | 13 October 2023 | 6 |
| France | Group B Winner | 13 October 2023 | 10 |
| Portugal | Group J Winner | 13 October 2023 | 8 |
| Scotland | Group A Runner-up | 15 October 2023 | 3 |
| Spain | Group A Winner | 15 October 2023 | 11 |
| Turkey | Group D Winner | 15 October 2023 | 5 |
| Austria | Group F Runner-up | 16 October 2023 | 3 |
| England | Group C Winner | 17 October 2023 | 10 |
| Hungary | Group G Winner | 16 November 2023 | 4 |
| Slovakia | Group J Runner-up | 16 November 2023 | 5 |
| Albania | Group E Winner | 17 November 2023 | 1 |
| Denmark | Group H Winner | 17 November 2023 | 9 |
| Netherlands | Group B Runner-up | 18 November 2023 | 10 |
| Romania | Group I Winner | 18 November 2023 | 5 |
| Switzerland | Group I Runner-up | 18 November 2023 | 5 |
| Serbia | Group G Runner-up | 19 November 2023 | 5 |
| Czech Republic | Group E Runner-up | 20 November 2023 | 10 |
| Italy | Group C Runner-up | 20 November 2023 | 10 |
| Slovenia | Group H Runner-up | 20 November 2023 | 1 |
| Croatia | Group D Runner-up | 21 November 2023 | 6 |
| Georgia | Play-off Path C Winner | 26 March 2024 | Debut |
| Ukraine | Play-off Path B Winner | 26 March 2024 | 3 |
| Poland | Play-off Path A Winner | 26 March 2024 | 4 |
Analysis
The Euro 2024 tournament in Germany promises a blend of experience and fresh faces. While 19 of the 24 qualified teams participated in the last edition, some notable absentees will be missed.
Defending champions Italy, runners-up England, World Cup finalists France and bronze medalists Croatia are all back for another shot at glory. Portugal, France, Belgium, Hungary, and Romania enjoyed undefeated qualifying campaigns, showcasing their continued dominance.
Albania returns for its second major tournament, while Serbia and Slovenia make their comebacks after a long hiatus. Serbia, now an independent nation, last qualified in 2000 (as Serbia and Montenegro), while Slovenia is back for its fourth major tournament.
Georgia's penalty shootout victory over Greece secures them a historic first-ever Euro appearance. This ensures a new team has debuted in every tournament since 1960.
Sweden's absence marks their first time missing the finals since 1996 and their second consecutive major tournament after failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. Russia, a regular since 2000, was barred due to the Ukraine invasion. Wales, recent semi-finalists, lost to Poland in the play-offs. North Macedonia and Finland, debuting in the last edition, couldn't repeat the feat.
This combination of established powers and exciting newcomers promises a thrilling Euro 2024 experience.
Euro 2024 Groups
The final tournament draw took place on 2 December 2023 at Elbphilharmonie Hamburg.
Group A: Germany, Scotland, Hungary, Switzerland
Group B: Spain, Croatia, Italy, Albania
Group C: Slovenia, Denmark, Serbia, England
Group D: Poland, Netherlands, Austria, France
Group E: Belgium, Slovakia, Romania, Ukraine
Group F: Türkiye, Georgia, Portugal, Czechia
Euro 2024 Tickets, Prices and How To Get a Ticket
While the initial sales window for Euro 2024 tickets has closed, there are still ways to snag a seat and witness the action live! Here's a quick rundown:
- Official resale platform: UEFA has set up an official resale platform where fans can buy and sell tickets amongst themselves. This ensures a safe and secure transaction process.
- Secondary markets: Reputable secondary ticketing websites might have tickets available, but be cautious of inflated prices and ensure the platform is trustworthy.
- Team allocations: Some national teams might release a limited number of tickets closer to the tournament. Check their official websites for updates.
Price points: Ticket prices vary depending on the match (group stage vs. knockout stage), stadium location, and seat category. Generally, expect a range of €30 (Fans First zone) to €1,000 (prime seats) for face-value tickets. Be prepared for potentially higher prices on secondary markets.
Euro 2024 Fun Facts
One summer, ten venues, 22 match days, 24 football teams, 51 matches, thousands of volunteers and millions of fans: these are just some of the facts and figures of UEFA EURO 2024, on of the world's largest sporting event, which will be staged for the 17th time this year. And in Germany for the first time since 1988.
5 facts about UEFA EURO 2024 in Berlin – and just about everything you need to know about UEFA EURO 2024 in Berlin.
- Fussballliebe Takes Flight: The official match ball, “Fussballliebe” (meaning “Football Love” in German), soars onto the pitch. This Adidas creation features a bold design with green, black, and gold details, reflecting the host nation's colors.
- Albärt the Adorable: Get ready to meet “Albärt,” the cuddly teddy bear mascot sporting a traditional Bavarian hat. He was chosen by UEFA in a vote across Europe, capturing the hearts of fans.
- Naija Boys on the Pitch: The tournament boasts a significant number of players with Nigerian heritage. Keep an eye out for stars like Bukayo Saka (England), Noah Okafor (Switxerland), and David Alaba (Austria) showcasing their skills and bringing a touch of Nigerian flair to the European stage.
- Stuttgart Sets the Stage: The Euro 2024 Festival Stuttgart Opening Concert will feature a lineup of German music stars. Get ready to groove to the beats of Robin Schulz, Leony, Le Shuuk, and Topic as they kick off the festivities in style.
- 2.5 million fans and guests expected: Get ready for a festival atmosphere across Germany! Public viewing areas and fan zones in all ten host cities will be buzzing with supporters from across Europe, celebrating their teams and the beautiful game.
Where to Watch Euro 2024 in Nigeria
Nigerian fans can gear up for a summer of football frenzy as Euro 2024 takes place in Germany. Here's a glimpse of your viewing options:
- Supersport: As the official UEFA broadcast partner in Nigeria, Supersport will be showcasing all the Euro 2024 matches live on their channels (subject to channel availability in your region).
- Streaming: If you have a Supersport subscription, you can likely access live streaming of the matches through the Supersport app or website.
- Other Options: Depending on broadcast rights and licensing agreements, some free-to-air channels in Nigeria might also telecast selected matches.
Here's a tip: Stay updated on the official UEFA website and Nigerian sports news outlets for confirmed broadcast schedules and potential streaming options closer to the tournament.
Remember: Illegal streaming websites are not recommended due to potential security risks and copyright infringement issues.
EURO 24: Quick FAQs
Where and when is EURO 2024?
EURO 2024 will be held in Germany from Friday, June 14th, 2024 to Sunday, July 14th, 2024.
Who is favourite to win the EURO 2024?
It's difficult to predict a favourite at this stage. Traditionally strong teams like France, England, Germany, and Spain will be contenders. However, the presence of emerging challengers and the element of surprise in knockout stages makes it an exciting race.
How many teams will play in EURO 2024?
24 teams will compete in the EURO 2024 finals.
Where will EURO 2024 be staged?
Ten cities across Germany will host the EURO 2024 matches. These include Berlin, Munich, Dortmund, Stuttgart, Cologne, Gelsenkirchen, Hamburg, Leipzig, Frankfurt, and Düsseldorf.
