Euro 2024: Schedule, groups, draw, and prize money
All you need to know about the Euro 2024- groups, important games and prize money.
Italy were crowned Euro 2020 winners. (Image via ESPNFC)
European football is all set for another showdown as the Euro 2024 kicks off in June 2024. Germany are hosts this time round for Italy’s title defense as France, England, and Spain all try to dethrone the Italians.
The first game of the tournament kicks off on June 14, 2024, with the champion being crowned a month later, on July 14th. From important fixtures to the group stage draw and prize money, here’s a look at all you need to know about the Euro 2024.
Euro 2024 – Schedule
The competition gets off the mark on June 14th, as hosts Germany take on Scotland in Group A. The 17th edition of the tournament will feature 51 exciting clashes at various stadiums as 24 teams across Europe compete for the coveted trophy, currently held by Italy.
The matches during Euro 2024 will be played in 10 different venues across Germany. These are:
- Berlin: Olympiastadion Berlin
- Cologne: Cologne Stadium
- Dortmund: BVB Stadion Dortmund
- Dusseldorf: Düsseldorf Arena
- Frankfurt: Frankfurt Arena
- Gelsenkirchen: Arena AufSchalke
- Hamburg: Volksparkstadion Hamburg
- Leipzig: Leipzig Stadium
- Munich: Munich Football Arena
- Stuttgart: Stuttgart Arena
The inaugural game between Germany and Scotland will be held at the Munich Football Arena in Munich at 9:00 pm local time. The champions will be crowned at the Olympiastadion Berlin on July 14th. Other notable games on Matchday 1 include Spain vs Croatia, Serbia vs England, and Austria vs France. Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal also kick off their tournament against Czechia on the 15th.
Matchday 2 features some of the most exciting and anticipated fixtures in the tournament. Spain take on defending champions Italy in a rematch of last edition’s semi-final. France will also face their toughest challenge in the group stage against the Netherlands. Denmark vs England is also a fixture that fans should keep an eye out for. Gareth Southgate and Co. will look to finally secure the all-elusive silverware that slipped out of their grasp in 2021.
Group Stage draw – games to look out for
The group stage draw held in Hamburg on Saturday featured David Silva and Giorgio Marchetti. Even though interruptions in the form of moaning noises troubled the procedure, the final draw was quite the spectacle. The group stage features two potential ‘groups of death’- in Group B and Group D.
The latter features France, Netherlands and Austria joined by the winner of play-off A. The former (Group B) consists of Spain, Croatia, Albania and champions Italy.
| Group A Germany Scotland Hungary Switzerland |
| Group B Spain Croatia Italy Albania |
| Group C Slovenia Denmark Serbia England |
| Group D Play-off winner A Netherlands Austria France |
| Group E Belgium Slovakia Romania Play-off winner B |
| Group F Türkiye Play-off winner C Portugal Czechia |
Portugal have been drawn into a relatively easier group compared to the last Euro competition, which had Germany, France, and Hungary. This time around, Turkey, Czechia, and play-off winner C will join the side led by Cristiano Ronaldo.
Hosts Germany have also been drawn alongside relatively easier opponents- Hungary, Scotland and Switzerland. Group C features favorites England alongside Denmark, Slovenia, and Serbia, all equipped to qualify in their own right. Belgium are likely to be in control of Group E which includes Romania, Slovakia, and play-off winner B. Subsequently, the Round of 16 kicks off on 29th June, as the winner of Group A will face the runner-up from Group C.
Prize money – What awaits the winners?
Alongside the footballing prowess and quality on display, the Euro Cup is also known for its lucrative prize money awaiting the victors. As announced by UEFA, a prize pool of $360 million will be distributed among the 24 competing nations. It should also be noted that UEFA is expected to earn over $2.61 billion in commercial revenue from broadcasters.
A minimum of €9.25 million will be awarded to each team competing in the tournament. Additionally, every ‘club’ will receive several thousands of euros from a pool of €240 million for releasing their players on International duty.
As for the winner, a maximum of €28.25 million provided they manage to secure victory in all three of their group stage games. Statistically speaking, the prize pool is by the 2021 Euros and over 20 times larger than the prize pool set aside for the 2022 Women’s Euros.
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Sherwin Shaju
(1100 Articles Published)