Explore our complete Euro 2024 guide covering everything you need to know, from the favourites and their route to the final to the best players to watch.
With Euro 2024 fast-approaching, you’re in the right place to get all the latest insights and tournament information, whether you’re heading out to Germany for a single game or the entire tournament – or just want to know more about the teams and players competing!
In this guide:
· When is the Euros?
· Germany Euro 2024 host cities
· Who has qualified for Euro 2024 in Germany?
· Understanding the Euro 2024 knockouts
· Who are the favourites for Euro 2024?
· Who are the dark horses for Euro 2024?
· Players to watch at the Euros in Germany
· What to know before visiting Germany for Euro 2024
When is the Euros?
UEFA Euro 2024 is scheduled to take place across summer between 14th June – 14th July, with the group stage games occurring in the first two weeks of the tournament and the knockout rounds expected to start on 29th June.
As tournament host, Germany will kick off the four-week celebration of European international football when they take on Scotland in Munich, while the remaining cities and respective stadiums will host their first tournament fixture in the following days.
Germany Euro 2024 host cities
There are ten cities across Germany playing their part in hosting Euro 2024, from Dortmund to Berlin and down to Munich (and everywhere in between!). We’ve introduced each host below, but if you want to learn more about an individual city’s plans for Euro 2024, be sure to check out its full location guide.
Hosting the likes of Spain, Croatia, and the Netherlands in the group stage, before three knockout ties – including the tournament finale – Berlin is ready and raring to deliver a once-in-a-lifetime summer of Euros football.
Explore our guide to visiting Berlin for Euro 2024.
England and Belgium are joined by the likes of Hungary, Switzerland, and Scotland, in visiting Cologne for Euro 2024 group stage action, with the city and stadium hosting some of Europe’s top talents!
Explore our guide to visiting Cologne for Euro 2024.
Home to the famous Westfalenstadion and its iconic south stand, Dortmund hosts European royalty in France, Italy, and Portugal at the group stage, while the city is also one of the semi-final destinations.
Explore our guide to visiting Dortmund for Euro 2024.
France and Spain are the stand-out sides to visit Düsseldorf for Euro 2024, as they take on Austria and Albania, respectively – while the city’s also down to host a box-office quarter-final tie in July.
Explore our guide to visiting Düsseldorf for Euro 2024.
Frankfurt’s Waldstadion will host some of Europe’s top international teams this summer, including tournament hosts Germany, back-to-back quarter-finalists Belgium, and a repeat of Euro 2020’s dramatic semi-final between Denmark and England.
Explore our guide to visiting Frankfurt for Euro 2024.
Spain vs Italy is the stand-out tie being played at Gelsenkirchen’s Veltins Arena, though the city is also due to host England and Portugal in June, with locals being treated to some of the very best teams and players international football has to offer!
Explore our guide to visiting Gelsenkirchen for Euro 2024.
Hamburg is set to host five Euro 2024 games, including the second quarter-final due to be played on 5th July. Among the nationalities visiting the city this summer, we have fans from the Netherlands, Croatia, and Poland.
Explore our guide to visiting Hamburg for Euro 2024.
Leipzig’s Red Bull Arena is set to host a series of serious showdowns this summer, as Portugal take on Czechia, the Netherlands play France, and Croatia come up against Euro 2020 winner Italy, all in the groups – plus, fans are also treated to the final round of 16 fixture on July 2nd!
Explore our guide to visiting Leipzig for Euro 2024.
From the tournament opener that pits hosts Germany against plucky Scotland to the first semi-final on July 9th, Munich will be a beating and bustling hub of football frenzy for the full duration of the tournament.
Explore our guide to visiting Munich for Euro 2024.
Hosting the likes of Germany, Belgium, and Denmark, Stuttgart is being treated to some of the very best talent Europe has to offer, this summer. And the city is ready to host a festival of football fans will never forget.
Explore our guide to visiting Stuttgart for Euro 2024.
Who has qualified for Euro 2024 in Germany?
Check out who’s qualified for Germany Euro 2024, as well as insight around how the groups they’ve been placed in might pan out.
Group A
Group A sees tournament host and two-time European Championship winner Germany take on Scotland, Hungary, and Switzerland. Scotland feature in a second successive Euros thanks to a strong qualification campaign, while Hungary will be hoping to improve on their disappointing 2020 performance. Meanwhile, Switzerland will be aiming to progress from the group for a third consecutive tournament.
Group B
In group B, we have Euro 2020 champion Italy, along with three-time winner Spain, 2022 World Cup third-placers Croatia, and tournament outsiders Albania. Going into the tournament, Croatia will be hoping to build on their strong World Cup performance, while Spain will expect to progress deep into the competition. Meanwhile, Albania qualify for just the second time ever!
Group C
In group C, we have one of the tournament front-runners England, who are joined by Serbia, Slovenia, and 2020 semi-finalists Denmark. Serbia feature at the Euros for just the second time since 1984, while Slovenia compete at the Finals for the first time since 2000 and Denmark are hoping to build on their 2020 semi-final appearance.
Group D
Group D includes another of the tournament favourites in France, who are joined by the Netherlands, Austria, and Poland. Since winning the title in ’88, the Netherlands subsequently fell at the semi-final stage three times between 1992-2004 and have peaked at the quarter-finals since. Meanwhile, Austria and Poland will hope to surpass expectations as outsiders.
Group E
Belgium is the clear front-runner in group E, which also includes Romania, Slovakia, and play-off victor Ukraine. Despite being group favourites, though, Belgium have never progressed beyond the quarter-finals, and are featuring in just their third Euros since hosting the tournament in 2000. Meanwhile, Romania, Slovakia, and Ukraine enter Euro 2024 very much as long shots.
Group F
In group F, Portugal are joined by Czechia, Georgia, and Türkiye. Euro 2020 ended in relative-disappointment for Portugal, who entered off the back of 2016 success, while Czechia enjoyed their joint-best performance since 2004. Meanwhile, Georgia qualify for the first time in their history, and Türkiye will hope to get out of the group for the first time since reaching the semi-final in 2008.
Understanding the Euro 2024 knockouts
The Euro 2024 group stage is due to take place in the first couple of weeks of the tournament, with the knockouts set to start on 29th June – beginning with the round of 16. The RO16 marks the start of the tournament bracket format, whereby you can begin to plot who you think might make it to each stage.
This initial knockout round of 16 comprises of the 1st and 2nd place teams from groups A-F, as well as the four best-performing 3rd place teams from the 6 groups. This narrows the competition down from 24 teams to 16.
Following the round of 16, we move onto the quarter-finals, which involves 8 teams, followed by the semi-finals (4 teams), and ultimately the biggest game of all – the Euro 2024 final, which takes place on July 14th.
What are the odds for the main protagonists for Euro 2024?
There’s much debate among the football community as to who’s going to win Euro 2024, with many fans expecting the likes of England and France to be in the mix – while others are making much more ambitious predictions!
If you’re still unsure who to back come June and July, though, read on for further information on each side and their pre-tournament odds.
England – 10/3
England fans attending Euro 2024 will be full of hope and ambition, with The Three Lions heading to Germany as one of the tournament favourites – and for good reason. On a high following an unbeaten qualification process, and boasting some of Europe’s hottest talent, Harry Kane and co. are expected to reach the final once again. This time out, they’ll be hoping to go one step further than second-placed heartbreak!
What is England’s route to the final?
Based on the pre-tournament odds, England’s likeliest route to the final will be:
· Round of 16 vs Austria
· Quarter-final vs Italy
· Semi-final vs France
· Final vs Germany
France – 4/1
Having featured in an impressive three major finals since 2016, including winning the World Cup in 2018 and losing out on penalties in 2022, France rightfully enter Euro 2024 as one of the main contenders. France went unbeaten during qualification, winning 7 of 8 games, including recording six clean sheets and scoring 29 goals – heavily helped by their 14-0 demolition of Gibraltar! Notably, only Portugal scored more and conceded less in qualifying.
What is France’s route to the final?
Based on the pre-tournament odds, France’s likeliest route to the final will be:
· Round of 16 vs Türkiye
· Quarter-final vs Belgium
· Semi-final vs England
· Final vs Germany
This requires France to win as underdogs at the semi-final stage.
Germany – 11/2
Tournament hosts Germany enter the tournament with plenty of expectation and a strong history of Euros success. They’ve reached the semi-final stage an incredible eight times, including progressing to the final on six occasions and winning three – though, their last victory came in 1996. That said, Germany were knocked out of Euro 2020 prematurely at the hands of England, so they’ll be hoping to better their last outing.
What is Germany’s route to the final?
Based on the pre-tournament odds, Germany’s likeliest route to the final will be:
· Round of 16 vs Denmark
· Quarter-final vs Spain
· Semi-final vs Portugal
· Final vs England
This requires Germany to win as underdogs in the final.
Portugal – 8/1
Euro 2024 could very well be Cristiano Ronaldo’s last major international tournament, with over 200 national team appearances under his belt, so supporters will be hoping he goes out with a bang. Portugal have a relatively strong recent history at the Euros, having reached two finals since 2004 – winning one in 2016 – and an additional semi-final in 2012, so they have every chance of success this time round!
What is Portugal’s route to the final?
Based on the pre-tournament odds, Portugal’s likeliest route to the final will be:
· Round of 16 vs Serbia
· Quarter-final vs Netherlands
· Semi-final vs Germany
· Final vs England
This requires Portugal to win as underdogs in both the semi-final and final.
Spain – 9/1
Another team who’s always in the running for silverware is Spain – even if on this occasion they’re not one of the outright favourites. Following a so-so run of form at the Euros between 1988 and 2004, Spain have since reached at least the semi-finals on three occasions, of which they’ve twice gone on to win the entire tournament. And following a strong qualification, the Spanish will back themselves to put up a good fight.
What is Spain’s route to the final?
Based on the pre-tournament odds, Spain’s likeliest route to the final will be:
· Round of 16 vs Hungary
· Quarter-final vs Germany
· Semi-final vs Portugal
· Final vs England
This requires Spain to win as underdogs in the quarter-final, semi-final, and final.
Netherlands – 14/1
Unlike most of our other tournament favourites, the Netherlands earned a spot at Euro 2024 following a second-place qualification finish – albeit in a tough group that included France hot off a World Cup final. Dutch fans team will take confidence in the way they ended the campaign though, with Virgil van Dijk, Matthijs de Ligt, and co. securing three convincing clean sheet wins.
What is the Netherlands’ route to the final?
Based on the pre-tournament odds, Holland’s likeliest route to the final will be:
· Round of 16 vs Ukraine
· Quarter-final vs Portugal
· Semi-final vs Germany
· Final vs England
This requires the Netherlands to win as underdogs in the quarter-final, semi-final, and final.
Belgium – 16/1
Following an unbeaten qualification campaign that saw just four goals conceded, Belgium will enter Euro 2024 full of confidence that they’ll be able to better their recent back-to-back quarter-final appearances at the European Championships and pose a real threat to the likes of England, France, and Germany. And with a relatively straightforward group to navigate, they should breeze through to the knockouts.
What is Belgium’s route to the final?
Based on the pre-tournament odds, Belgium’s likeliest route to the final will be:
· Round of 16 vs Croatia
· Quarter-final vs France
· Semi-final vs England
· Final vs Germany
This requires Belgium to win as underdogs in the quarter-final, semi-final, and final.
Italy – 16/1
Italy’s route to Euro 2024 was far from simple, with a goalless draw with Ukraine finally confirming their progression (on goal difference). In fairness to the Italians, it was a qualification group that also included England, so it was always going to be tough to come out on top. And taking inspiration from their victorious campaign a few years, fans will believe they have what it takes to pull off something special.
What is Italy’s route to the final?
Based on the pre-tournament odds, Italy’s likeliest route to the final will be:
· Round of 16 vs Switzerland
· Quarter-final vs England
· Semi-final vs France
· Final vs Germany
This requires Italy to win as underdogs in the quarter-final, semi-final, and final.
Who are the dark horses for Euro 2024?
We’ve looked at the main protagonists for Euro 2024, but who doesn’t love an underdog? We’ve identified four potential dark horses for the Euros, who, if a combination of performance and fate go their way, could be celebrating success this summer.
Denmark
If Denmark are capable of topping a group that includes England, they’ll likely avoid Germany in the round of 16 and have a relatively accessible route to the semis (Austria and Italy in the RO16 and quarter-final respectively) – at which point a good 90 minutes versus presumably-France could land them a place in the final!
Austria
If Austria can qualify from group D in second place, as opposed to as one of the best-placed teams in third, they stand a fighting chance of competing in the latter stages of the tournament. In this case, their likely bracket would include Ukraine in the round of 16, Portugal in the quarter-finals, and Germany in the semis. No mean feat, but on their day, Austria are capable of pulling off an upset!
Türkiye
Group F shouldn’t necessarily pose too much of a problem for Türkiye, and they’re expected to qualify for the knockouts in second. However, if Türkiye can find a way to finish above Portugal, they may well pave a way for themselves to reach a quarter-final clash with the Netherlands. While it won’t be plain sailing, they’re capable, and as they progress through the tournament they could be carried by belief.
Switzerland
Switzerland are expected to place second in group A, behind, Germany, which will likely pit them against Italy in the round of 16. While Italy are defending champions, they’re not unbeatable, and if other results go in their favour they may avoid an England quarter-final clash and France in the semis – meaning they’d probably just need to beat hosts Germany in the final!
Players to watch at the Euros in Germany
We’ve mentioned some of them above in passing, but which players are expected to steal the show for the tournament favourites at Euro 2024 – and potentially play a pivotal part in securing Championship success for their nation?
England
First up, we have to give a particular mention to England duo Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, both of whom have ranked among the best in the world in their respective positions this season. But of course, a team doesn’t enter a tournament as favourites without strength throughout, and the likes of Declan Rice, John Stones, and Phil Foden are also likely to play leading roles if England are to go all the way.
In terms of emerging talent, this season has been one to remember for 22-year-old Cole Palmer, who’s managed to live up to his big money move to Chelsea and will hope to take his form into the Euros.
France
Next up, France are another Euro 2024 team oozing with talent from back to front. Back-to-back World Cup finals has left this France squad full of experience too, and Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, Theo Hernandez, Adrien Rabiot, and others will hope to earn France a first European Championship title since 2000.
But there’s also a plethora of young talent who’ll be hoping to play their part, including Arsenal’s standout centre-back William Saliba and Real Madrid ace Eduardo Camavinga.
Germany
Meanwhile, for the Germans, it’s hard to look beyond the experienced spine of Manuel Neuer, Joshua Kimmich, Toni Kroos, Ilkay Gundogan, and Thomas Muller. They’ve all got plenty of experience when it comes to big games and expectation, for club and country, and will be especially comfortable on home soil.
And of course, they’ll be complemented by the likes of young Bayern Munich forward Jamal Musiala, who’s taken the Bundesliga by storm with 10+ goals in each of the last two campaigns, and newly-crowned German champion Florian Wirtz.
Portugal
A star-studded team led by legendary frontman Cristiano Ronaldo; Portugal certainly have their fair share of first-class players worth tuning in for. From Diogo Costa between the posts to the quality of Ruben Dias, Bruno Fernandes, and Bernardo Silva, there’s no doubt the Portuguese are stacked.
In terms of emerging talent, keep an eye on the likes of Porto’s Francisco Conceição, Lisbon’s Gonçalo Inácio, and Benfica’s Antonio Silva, who’ll all be hoping for tournament minutes.
Spain
Hoping to go all the way and win a third European Championship in five attempts, Spain will be relying on the qualities of Man City ace Rodri. The midfield maestro is widely considered to rank among the best holding players in the world, and there’s no doubt he’ll shine this summer too.
But they’re more than a one-man band, and the squad is teeming with quality – including young centre half Pau Cubarsi, whose emergence in the Barcelona team over the last few months has put him on the map.
Netherlands
The Netherlands are blessed with wealth of defensive solutions, from van Dijk to Ake and de Ligt – while top-rated, emerging talent such Jeremie Frimpong and Micky van de Ven will be waiting in the wings eager for an opportunity on the big stage – so fans of the Oranje will be confident of solidity at the back, especially considering their relatively tough group.
Meanwhile, Frenkie de Jong will be hoping to recover from injury in time for the Euros, to dominate the midfield, while Jurrien Timber will also have his sights on the Euros after suffering a serious injury back in August.
Belgium
Many of the players who starred in Belgium’s ‘golden generation’ are beginning to call time on international football, so much of the current squad is comprised of up-and-coming talent – including 22-year-old Jeremy Doku who has impressed at Man City.
However, fans will hope for a potentially-final tournament to remember from legendary centre-back Jan Vertonghen, who’ll be supported by star striker Romelu Lukaku and Man City lynch pin Kevin De Bruyne.
Italy
There’s little doubt that Italy’s strength is in defence, with Gianluigi Donnarumma leading from the back. Joining him, the Azzurri can choose from any number of defenders who’ve lit up Serie A this season, from Giovanni Di Lorenzo to Inter Milan trio Federico Dimarco, Alessandro Bastoni, and Francesco Acerbi – while Nicolo Barella is likely to star in midfield.
Meanwhile, Italians are excited to see whether young Atalanta defender Giorgio Scalvini can make the step up on the international stage, along with Argentina-born Genoa forward Mateo Retegui – both of whom would be making their first tournament appearances.
What to know before you visit Germany for Euro 2024
So, you’re ready and raring to head to Germany for Euro 2024! But what final things should you be aware of before getting on the plane? We’ve identified everything from the best stadiums for food and drink to the national dishes you need to try.
Which Euro 2024 stadium is the best for foodies?
Comparing a range of factors, from the number of food stalls per person to the cost of a bratwurst and soft drink, we’ve been able to identify which of the ten Euro 2024 host city stadiums are the best for foodies…
Interestingly, taking top spot, we have Gelsenkirchen, which scores 2.947 out of 5 on our index, thanks to its onsite restaurant and affordable hot dogs (usually just €3.30).
Stuttgart takes second (2.916), followed by Frankfurt (2.670) and Hamburg (2.557), while Dortmund’s famous Signal Iduna Park is the fifth-best Euro 2024 venue for foodies (2.334) – as well as boasting more food stalls than any other arena (167), Dortmund’s Westfalenstadion also has the shortest queues (a stall per 396 fans).
Of course, with the stadiums being managed by UEFA for the duration of Euro 2024, rather than the various club sides, there’s every chance that each venue will have further pop-up stands to accommodate the waves of excited supporters!
Weather
Germany typically enjoys good weather in June and July, with most cities seeing temperature rise to +25°C during the day, so be sure to pack suncream and all the necessary protection!
As the evening sets in, though, you can expect to experience temperatures between 12-15°C. So, while not necessarily cold, it might be worth packing a couple of layers, with some of the games taking place at night.
Tournament mascot
The Euro 2024 tournament mascot has officially been announced as ‘Albärt’ the bear, who was chosen to represent the tournament by football fans across Germany. If you’re at any of the games this summer, be sure to keep an eye out for Albärt!
National dishes
Germany has a strong selection of popular national dishes, often served quite readily at restaurants and eateries across the country. If you’re keen on trying something local, why not consider:
· Sauerbraten: Heavily-marinated meat (often beef) that’s served roasted, and usually with potatoes.
· Doner: Particularly famous in Berlin, which is considered to be the home of doner, you can grab a first-class kebab across Germany.
· Eintopf: A warming stew made using vegetables, potatoes, and meat (often sausage).
· Flammkuchen: This pizza-style dish hails from the France-side of the country, and consists of dough topped with cheese, onions, and bacon.
· Leberkäse: A Bavarian dish that falls somewhere between meatloaf and pate.
· Käsespätzle: A popular noodle dish from southwest Germany, flavoured with cheese and onions.
· Bratwurst: The collective term for the ‘brat’ sausage family (of which there are over 40 varieties), typically served in a bun hot-dog-style.
Public transport
For the duration of the tournament, each host city across Germany is offering 36-hour travel on public transport free of charge for Euro 2024 ticket holders – including bus and rail.
This period runs from 6am on gameday to 6pm the following day, giving you total flexibility within the region! Check out our city guides for more information about the specific public transport options in each host location.
So, there we have it – the complete Germany Euro 2024 guide! If you’re interested in learning more about each host city and stadium, make sure to explore our in-depth articles. Alternatively, explore all the latest Euro 2024 odds, or even more expert football insight over on the Betway blog.
