The UEFA Euro 2024 football tournament has officially started, with 24 teams competing against each other for the European Champion title. Between 14 June and 14 July, a total of 51 matches will be played across Germany, spread over 10 different locations. Berlin, Cologne, Dortmund, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Gelsenkirchen, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich and Stuttgart are welcoming the football teams and their fans to their iconic stadiums. These are the venues:
1. Olympiastadion, Berlin
Modern looks aside, the Olympiastadion in Berlin actually dates back to 1936 when it hosted the now infamous Summer Olympics. The stadium has been renovated several times over the years and can host up to 71,000 people. It will not only host multiple games throughout the tournament but also the Euro 2024 final on 14 July as it is the largest stadium in Germany.
2. RheinEnergieStadion – Cologne Stadium, Cologne
After the Treaty of Versailles caused the demolition of Cologne’s fortifications, a first stadium was built in their place in the 1920’s. However, the current concrete-and-iron building is actually a new construction, with a capacity of up to 43,000 spectators, built in the early 2000’s and first used in the 2006 World Cup. Usually, it is home to the local Bundesliga team, FC Köln.
3. Westfalenstadion – BVB Stadion Dortmund
Just like the stadium in Cologne, the Westfalenstadion, in Dortmund, was initially built for a World Cup, this time in 1974. Due to financial issues, it was built out of prefab sections. It underwent alterations in the 1990’s and can now host up to 65,000 people.
4. Merkur Spiel-Arena, Düsseldorf
The Merkur Spiel-Arena in Düsseldorf was inaugurated during the 2006 World Cup and designed by local architect firm JSK Architekten in order to replace the former Rheinstadion on the same site. The building looks rather unusual from the outside, having a shell made out of aluminium tubes. The retractable roof makes it the perfect all-weather location, for the just over 54,000 spectators it can accomodate.
5. Waldstadion, Frankfurt
Like quite a lot of stadiums in Germany, the Waldstadion in Frankfurt has a rich history. Even though it was first built in 1925, its original design has been altered four times over the years. The Waldstadion can host up to 47,000 spectators. Good to know if you plan on getting there by public transport – the stadium has its own train station.
6. Arena AufSchalke, Gelsenkirchen
When the Arena AufSchalke stadium in Gelsenkirchen opened its doors in 2001, it was not only meant as a new home for FC Schalke 04 ahead of its 100th anniversary in 2004, but also as one of the prime locations for the 2006 World Cup. Even if you’re not a football fan, you might be acquainted with this venue as the retractable playing surface allows for it to easily be turned into a concert hall. A maximum of 50,000 people can fit inside.
7. Volksparkstadion, Hamburg
The roof of this 1998-building, which stands on the grounds of two predecessors, is rather recognisable. The design of Mos Architekten features 40 slim masts and a fabric roof, giving this stadium with room for 49,000 football fans an otherworldly look.
8. Red Bull Arena, Leipzig
For the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, Wirth + Wirth Architekten actually repurposed the shell of the 1950s Zentralstadion (Central Station). However, the current building, inaugurated in 2005, ahead of the 2006 World Cup, is a lot greener, with parking moved underground. The stadium has space for up to 40,000 spectators.
9. Allianz Arena – Munich Football Arena, Munich
The Allianz Arena, a Swiss design in Munich, is yet another remnant of the 2006 World Cup. The outside of the 70,000-seat stadium looks like a diamond and can light up at night thanks to its translucent panels.
10. MHPArena, Stuttgart
Even though the MHPArena was first designed by German architects Paul Bonatz and Friedrich Scholer in the 1930s, it is architecture firm Schlaich Bergermann Partner that added the fabric roof in 1993, prior to the World Athletics Championships, and giving the stadium a more modern look. Up to 51,000 people can fit inside.
