UEFA Euro 2024: Germany Set to Welcome Fans with a 30-Euro-Ticket

As the excitement for UEFA Euro 2024 builds, Germany is gearing up to host the prestigious football tournament with innovative strategies to enhance the fan experience and promote sustainability.

UEFA has partnered with Deutsche Bahn (DB) to offer affordable train tickets for European fans traveling to the tournament, reinforcing the commitment to environmental consciousness.

The collaboration between UEFA and DB promises a special deal allowing fans with match tickets to travel by train to any of the ten host cities for just 30 euros. This offer is valid for Deutsche Bahn’s ICE trains operating from Austria, Switzerland, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Denmark. Additionally, UEFA plans to extend discounts on InterRail tickets for fans coming from other European countries, with more details on this promotion forthcoming.

Upon arrival, fans will have the added benefit of free local public transportation in the nine host cities: Berlin, Munich, Leipzig, Hamburg, Dortmund, Gelsenkirchen, Cologne, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, and Stuttgart. This move is part of a broader effort to reduce the tournament’s carbon footprint and address previous criticisms regarding environmental sustainability.

Despite the positive reception from some environmental groups, the German Federation for Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND) argues that the discounted train tickets should be available for purchase concurrently with match tickets. BUND’s representative, Jens Hilgenberg, suggested that integrating the train ticket booking with the match ticket purchase process could significantly enhance convenience for fans and bolster the eco-friendly initiative.

The demand for Euro 2024 tickets is already proving to be high. During the initial sales phase, 1.2 million tickets were sold using a lottery system due to an overwhelming 20 million ticket requests. The fortunate lottery winners are required to pay for their tickets by November 17 to secure their seats. For those who missed out, another one million tickets will be released on December 2, followed by an additional 500,000 in early spring.

The competition for tickets is expected to intensify as the group-stage draws are completed, revealing the host cities for high-profile matches involving popular teams like England, France, and Germany.

A wide range of ticket prices has been set to accommodate different budgets. The most affordable tickets, priced at 30 euros, have been allocated for various matches, with a substantial number of tickets available for less than 60 euros. For the grand finale, 10,000 tickets will be offered for less than 100 euros.

The tournament will spread across ten stadiums divided into three regional zones—North, South, and West—to minimize travel-related environmental impacts. The German national team will play in Munich for the opening, followed by matches in Stuttgart and Frankfurt.

Following the trend set during the World Cup in Qatar, Euro 2024 tickets will be exclusively digital, eliminating paper tickets. The UEFA is also implementing measures to curtail the black market by allowing ticket returns and resale only through official channels, which will become operational in spring 2024.

UEFA’s agreement with Deutsche Bahn includes discounted long-distance travel for ticket holders and free use of local public transport around the match days, aligning with the tournament’s sustainability goals.

Fans still have multiple opportunities to secure tickets, with further sales phases scheduled after the playoffs in March and leading up to the tournament. The next window for ticket applications opens following the draw on December 2, providing clarity on where and when the most anticipated teams will play their group matches.

As Germany prepares to host the continent’s most awaited football event, these strategic moves reflect a commitment to making Euro 2024 accessible, environmentally friendly, and a celebration for fans across Europe.