This is part 1 of a 2-part blog on Euro 2024 where we will look at all the stadia and host cities involved in EURO 2024. We’ll be paying particular attention to the venues where England and Scotland will play over the coming weeks. All prices referred to in the following paragraphs were correct at time of publish.
Arguably one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year is due to start soon. So, get your football shirts ready for EURO 2024 which kicks off on the 14th of June. This year they are being held across Germany in 10 different host cities. It is the first time a German nation has hosted the European Championship since 1988.
There will of course be an increased demand for accommodation and transport during this time. Rest assured; however, we have gathered some of our best tips for the tournament.
Munich stadium
The first game takes place in Munich at the Allianz Arena and will see Scotland face the hosts Germany at 8pm on the 14th of June. Like London, Munich has a large transportation network so you can get around quickly and inexpensively. The U-Bahn is their underground railway network, and the S-Bahn is their above-ground railway.
One option for Munich is to stay in Altstadt, considered the Old Town of Munich. It is about 40 minutes from the stadium via the U-Bahn and, as it is in the inner district, a day ticket will set you back £7.90.
Staying in the centre of Alstadt can be expensive but there are more affordable options on the outskirts where prices start at £119 per night.
Also nearby is Olympia Park which will be home to one of the Euro 2024 Fan zones. The fan zone will have a public viewing area where all the matches will be broadcast on a large screen. There will also be live music, podcasts, and many other activities. The best part about it is that it is free!
Getting from Altstadt to Olympia parks takes about 30 minutes via the number 20 or 21 trams. Plus, if you have an all-day ticket for the U-Bahn, it is valid on all forms of transportation! This means you can get the tram, train or bus without paying any more! It is worth investigating the best ticket options because you can get multiple-day tickets to keep costs down. You could also download different phone apps to help you navigate your way around.
Arena AufSchalke (Gelsenkirchen)
The first England game will be held in the Arena AufSchalke on the 16th of June at 9pm where they will face Serbia. Getting to the arena couldn’t be easier as if you have a match ticket, you’re entitled to a 36-hour for the VRR and VRS public transport networks. This pass is free and is valid from 6 am on match day until 6 pm the next day!
If you’re looking for somewhere to stay that’s in the centre of the action, take a look at Essen-Stadtkern. It is located about an hour away from the arena, and 45 minutes away from the fan zone in Nordsternpark. There is also a shuffle bus that runs between the fan zone and the arena, so everything is easily accessible.
Essen-Stadtkern is considered the most central district so there will be something for everyone to enjoy. There are also many accommodation options there, starting at only £111 a night. Whilst you’re in town, you could treat yourself to some authentic German food at one of the many restaurants, where you can get yourself a beer stein (or jug as we know it!).
The atmosphere surrounding the games will be unmatched and what better place to stay than in the heart of the action? Also, if German food isn’t your thing, there are many other food places that serve other European cuisines or even American food.
Cologne stadium
Cologne stadium is where both England and Scotland will play. Scotland plays on the 19th of June while England plays a few days later on the 25th of June. If you take a trip here, you will also be entitled to the free 36-hour travel pass we mentioned earlier.
Just 26 minutes from the stadium, the Cologne fan zone is being held in Heumarkt. Here, they will be showing all the games on the big screen so if you can’t secure match tickets, this may be the best way to get in on the action.
If you were to stay in central Cologne, hotel prices start from about £84 a night. You will be next door to the fan zone but also lose to other landmarks. For example, Cologne cathedral is on your doorstep. Or, if you wanted a change of pace, you could visit the Schokoladen Museum – home to all things chocolate! If you wanted to indulge your sweet tooth, you can do a tasting session for only 3 euros a person.
There are some great places to wind down after a match at nearby restaurants: just a 10-minute walk away. Look out for pubs and have live music venues with themed nights. There will be lots going on during the tournament so be sure to check out what they have going on!
Neither England nor Scotland will be playing at the following two stadiums in the group stages, but there are some games here you won’t want to miss. Plus, whilst you are here you can try some of the local delicacies! Like Pfefferpotthast which is a peppered beef stew or try Wesrphalian Grunkohl (ham and cabbage soup).
BVB Stadion Dortmund
Looking to defend their title from the 2020 EUROs, Italy’s first game of EURO 2024 is in Dortmund on the 15th of June. Dortmund is one of Germany’s largest cities so you will not be short of things to do. A good place to look for accommodation is in Westfallenhalle, a 10-minute walk from the stadium. It also only takes 10 minutes to get to the Friedensplatz fan zone via the U-Bahn. Hotels in this area start at £97 per night and you will be in the centre of everything.
It is a 15-minute walk from Westfallenhalle to the lively Kreuzviertel, known for its nightlife. Alternatively, you could visit the German Football Museum for a more relaxed day. This museum has over 1600 exhibits and is the ideal day out for any football fan. Admittance starts at £17 pp, so it should be high up your list of things to do!
Volksparkstadion Hamburg
If you are considering the games at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg, have you thought of staying in Altona-Altstadt? This popular waterside area will cost you around £66 per night to stay. It takes 50 minutes via bus to get to the stadium and only 26 minutes to get to the centre of Hamburg. It is also a short journey to the fan zone in Heiligengeistfeld so it is close to everything.
While here, check out the local history at the Hamburg town hall or the Altona city hall. These are historic sites and something to tick off your sightseeing list! Hamburg also has a vast public transport system, although buses are the best way to explore this area.
Be sure to try some unique cuisines there, such as Finkenwerder Scholle. This is a traditional fish dish named after an old Hamburg fishing district. You could also visit the St Pauli Fischmarkt. It not only has seafood but there are also lots of shops selling clothes and other things. This could be a great place to get some souvenirs and it is only open on Sunday mornings when most places are closed in Germany.
5 Top Tips for Visiting Euro 2024 in Germany
When visiting any part of Germany there are a few important things to bear in mind….
- The first is that it is customary to tip here so it is wise to carry a little cash with you just in case.
- Most shops are closed on Sundays so it’s good to get anything you need the day before. You should pre-plan something else for Sundays, such as a walk through the old towns.
- It wouldn’t hurt to speak a little German, even just please (“Bitte”) and thank you (“Danke”) can go a long way.
- There are many things to do around the stadiums but research ahead to find out what suits your needs best.
- Also, make sure you have appropriate insurance in place to cover you wherever you want to go.
Finally, keep your eyes peeled for the second part of this blog where we will look at the remaining 5 stadiums!