UEFA European Championship 2024 Fixtures, Results & Standings

About UEFA European Championship

The UEFA European Championship, commonly known as the EURO or European Cup, is the premier men’s national football tournament in Europe, organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) every four years.

Founded in 1960, the EURO brings together top national teams across Europe to compete for continental glory. It stands as one of the most-watched and prestigious football tournaments globally, second only to the FIFA World Cup.

Competition Format

The European Championship currently features 24 national teams:

• Group Stage: 6 groups of 4 teams. The top 2 from each group and 4 best third-placed teams qualify.
• Knockout Stage: Round of 16 → Quarterfinals → Semifinals → Final. All are single-elimination matches.
• Extra time and penalty shootouts are used if needed from the knockout phase onwards.

Qualification

Participating teams qualify through the UEFA EURO Qualifiers, a multi-phase campaign that typically spans two years before the final tournament.

Host countries automatically qualify, while the rest must earn their spot through group stage and playoff rounds.

Past Winners

• Germany – 3 titles (1972, 1980, 1996)
• Spain – 3 titles (1964, 2008, 2012)
• France – 2 titles (1984, 2000)
• Italy – 2 titles (1968, 2020)
• Portugal, Netherlands, Denmark, Greece, Czech Republic, Soviet Union – 1 title each

All-Time Top Scorers

• Cristiano Ronaldo – 14 goals (all-time leading EURO scorer)
• Michel Platini – 9 goals (most goals in a single tournament – 1984)
• Other legends include Alan Shearer, Antoine Griezmann, Patrick Kluivert, and Thierry Henry

Defending Champions

The current titleholder is Italy, who won EURO 2020 (held in 2021 due to COVID-19), defeating England in the final via penalties.

Tournament Tier & Governance

• The UEFA European Championship is the top-tier national team tournament in Europe
• Governed by UEFA, headquartered in Nyon, Switzerland
• The tournament is held every 4 years

Season Calendar

• The EURO is typically held during June–July, following the conclusion of European domestic leagues
• The entire tournament runs for about 4 weeks

Stadiums & Attendance

Each edition of the EURO is hosted by one or more European countries, showcasing modern stadiums and passionate crowds.

• EURO 2020 was held across 11 host cities, with matches in iconic venues like Wembley, Stadio Olimpico, and Allianz Arena.
• The final at Wembley Stadium (London) drew 67,000+ fans.
• Attendance totals regularly exceed 2 million spectators per tournament.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: When is the next UEFA European Championship?
A: The next EURO will be held in 2028, hosted jointly by the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.

How many teams compete in the EURO?
A: Currently, 24 national teams compete in the final tournament.

Q: Who won the first European Championship?
A: The Soviet Union won the inaugural tournament in 1960.

Q: Who has the most EURO titles?
A: Germany and Spain hold the record with 3 titles each.

Q: Where will the EURO 2028 Final be played?
A: The final is expected to be played at Wembley Stadium in London, subject to UEFA confirmation.