Discover the Magnificent Football Stadiums Hosting EURO 2024 in Germany

All Things Deutsch
6 min readOct 26, 2023

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Next summer, all eyes will be on Germany, when the country hosts the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship. And we can’t wait! With an impressive lineup of stadiums in some of Germany’s best cities, the stage is set for what promises to be a fantastic tournament for football fans from across the continent. In this article, we’ll take you on a virtual tour of the ten arenas where Europe’s footballing elite will battle it out for glory.

Munich — Allianz Arena

The Allianz Arena is home to current German champions Bayern Munich and will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of EURO 2024. This spectacular stadium is set to host the opening game on 14th June 2024. Its most striking feature is the 2,760 illuminated, inflated foil air panels that surround the exterior. The panels were retrofitted with LED technology in 2014, allowing them to shine in a mesmerizing array of colours. The Allianz Arena’s cutting-edge technology also extends inside the stadium, where folding seats in specific sections can be lowered into the floor for international matches. And the Arena also contains Europe’s biggest car park inside a football stadium, winding over four storeys.

Capacity: 75,000 fans for Bundesliga matches and 70,000 for international games.

Munich city guide: click here

Dortmund — Signal Iduna Park

Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund boasts the largest standing kop in Europe, the Südtribüne, which can hold an impressive 24,454 fans. With an incline as steep as a ski jump, this stand creates an electrifying atmosphere during Borussia Dortmund’s home games in the Bundesliga, hence why it’s also called the “Yellow Wall”. Since opening in 1974, when Borussia Dortmund played their first game against old rivals Schalke, Signal Iduna Park has witnessed countless memorable moments and remains a symbol of the city’s footballing passion and heritage.

Capacity: 81,365 in the Bundesliga and 66,069 for international games.

Berlin — Olympiastadion

Steeped in history, Berlin’s Olympiastadion is one of Europe’s most iconic sports venues. Originally built for the 1936 Olympic Games, this historic stadium has witnessed some legendary sporting events throughout the years, including Usain Bolt’s world record for the 100m sprint during the 2009 World Athletics Championships. Of course, the stadium also holds some major memories for football fans as well, like Zinedine Zidane’s infamous headbutt in the 2006 FIFA World Cup final.

Having attended the 125th club anniversary game between Hertha Berlin and Liverpool in 2017, we can certainly vouch for the deafening acoustics inside the Olympiastadion — and that was only a friendly, so we can only imagine what the atmosphere will be like at the EURO 2024 final on Sunday, 14th July 2024! Capacity: 74,475.

Cologne — RheinEnergieStadion

Originally known as Sportpark Müngersdorf, Cologne’s RheinEnergieStadion was built in 1923 and has undergone significant transformation over the years. It served as one of Germany’s largest sports facilities until the construction of the Olympiastadion in 1936. The stadium’s distinctive illuminated towers, equipped with LED lighting in 2016, can be lit up in various colours, creating a stunning visual display. During 1. FC Köln games, the towers shine in red and white, representing the home team’s official colours.

Capacity: 50,000 in the Bundesliga and 46,195 for international games.

Cologne city guide: click here

Frankfurt — Deutsche Bank Park

Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt is a modern marvel that promises an unforgettable matchday experience. The stadium stands as the fourth venue to be built on the same site, with the original Waldstadion opening its doors in May 1925. Following extensive renovations between 2002 and 2005, the stadium was transformed into a state-of-the-art facility. The removal of the running track brought the fans closer to the on-pitch action.

Capacity: 51,500 in the Bundesliga and 48,000 for international games.

Hamburg — Volksparkstadion

Hamburg’s Volksparkstadion epitomises the rich footballing traditions of this harbour city in the north of Germany. The stadium underwent a remarkable transformation in the late 1990s, transitioning from an arena with a running track to a purpose-built football stadium. Architect Manfred O. Steuerwald oversaw the redevelopment, including the remarkable feat of rotating the pitch by 90 degrees. This shift facilitated the relocation of Hamburg’s passionate fans from the west stand to the north stand, giving them a better view of the game.

Capacity: 57,000 in the Bundesliga and 51,500 for international games.

Hamburg city guide: click here

Gelsenkirchen — Veltins Arena

The Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen stands as a testament to the ingenuity and innovation of stadium design. Home to Schalke, the stadium boasts the largest video cube in Europe, with a viewing area of 305 square meters that provides fans with an immersive visual experience. The Veltins Arena also pays tribute to the city’s industrial heritage, with the players’ tunnel designed as an artificial coal tunnel, honouring Schalke’s historical connection to the mining industry.

Capacity: 62,271 spectators in the Bundesliga and 54,740 for international games.

Leipzig — Red Bull Arena

The Red Bull Arena in Leipzig is a symbol of the city’s rise in German football. Built on the same site as the old Leipzig Zentralstadion, the stadium was reconstructed in preparation for the 2006 World Cup. Renamed the Red Bull Arena in 2010, it has since become a fortress for RB Leipzig, inspiring their meteoric ascent in the Bundesliga.

Capacity: 47,069 for league games and 41,122 for international games.

Leipzig city guide: click here

Stuttgart — MHPArena

Stuttgart’s MHPArena, formerly called the Mercedes-Benz Arena, showcases the perfect blend of tradition and modernity. The stadium was built in 1933 and has undergone several renovations since then. With Stuttgart as one of the host cities for the 2006 World Cup, the stadium played a significant role in the tournament, hosting multiple matches, including the third-place play-off. Following further upgrades between 2009 and 2011, the arena shed its running track and now offers an intimate, 100% football-focused experience.

Capacity: 60,441 fans in the Bundesliga and 54,906 for international games.

Stuttgart city guide: click here

Düsseldorf — Merkur Spiel-Arena

The Merkur Spiel-Arena in Düsseldorf completes the lineup of stunning stadiums set to host EURO 2024. Built in preparation for the 2006 World Cup, the stadium offers state-of-the-art facilities and a versatile design. With a retractable roof and a sophisticated heating system, the arena ensures optimal playing conditions in any weather.

Capacity of 54,600 in the Bundesliga and 51,500 for international games.

Düsseldorf city guide: click here

Final Whistle

So, there you have it. With these ten stadiums, Germany is ready to roll out the red carpet to Europe’s footballing elite. As fans from around Europe converge on these hallowed grounds and get swept up in football fever, they’ll also have the opportunity to explore the unique cultural tapestry and warm hospitality that Germany has to offer. From Berlin’s historical landmarks and buzzing nightlife to Munich’s old-world charm and Dortmund’s rich industrial heritage, each host city will add its own distinct flavour to the tournament experience. And even if you don’t manage to bag a matchday ticket, you can still catch the action and soak up the atmosphere in the official fan zones in each city. Either way, EURO 2024 in Germany promises to be a fantastic event best experienced firsthand.

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