Euro 2024 explained IN FULL: Dates, fixture schedule, UK kick-off times, stadiums and groups for showpiece tournament in Germany

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Published: 11:34, 6 Feb 2024Updated: 11:34, 6 Feb 2024

Euro 2024 is fast approaching as Germany prepare to host the 17th edition of the UEFA European Championship.

Because Euro 2020 was delayed and the Qatar World Cup was moved to last winter, the international football calendar is more condensed than ever.

Italy are the defending European champions after they beat England on penalties at Wembley

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Italy are the defending European champions after they beat England on penalties at Wembley

And it means the next Euros are already just around corner.

Germany are set to host the 2024 edition of UEFA's flagship international tournament and they are ready to welcome the rest of Europe.

The event will be held in the summer at the end of the 2023/24 domestic season, so the Premier League and other top European divisions can operate as normal.

England will be among the favourites for glory after sailing through qualification while Scotland will also be at the showpiece tournament.

Euro 2024 dates

There will be 51 games at the tournament and the football will get underway on Friday, June 14 at the Allianz Arena in Munich.

The group stage is set to run until Wednesday, June 26, with the knockout stage scheduled to begin on Saturday, June 29.

Euro 2024 will last for one month, with the final set to be held on Sunday, July 14 at the 70,000-capacity Olympiastadion in Berlin.

The incredibly impressive Olympiastadion in Berlin will host the final

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The incredibly impressive Olympiastadion in Berlin will host the final

Euro 2024: Key dates

June 14: Opening game

June 29: Round of 16 starts

July 5: Quarter-finals start

July 9: Semi-finals start

July 14: Final

Euro 2024: How the tournament works

There will be 24 countries competing at Euro 2024, including hosts Germany who will be looking for their fourth tournament win.

There will be a round of 16 before the quarter-finals as the top two teams from the six groups go through.

And they will be joined by the four best third-placed teams to form the last 16.

The knockout rounds then progress until the final.

There will not be a third-place play-off at Euro 2024.

Euro 2024: The venues

This edition of UEFA's premier international tournament is set to be held in Germany and ten stadiums have been selected.

Borussia Dortmund's Signal Iduna Park (BVB Stadion Dortmund), with a capacity of 66,000, will be one such venue.

Dortmund's near neighbours Schalke will also see the Veltins Arena (Arena AufSchalke) used.

Not many of the stadia are close to each other, but Germany boasts a superb rail network that will ensure travelling to each ground won't be difficult.

Euro 2024 Stadiums

Olympiastadion Berlin Cologne Stadium (RheinEnergieSTADION) BVB Stadion Dortmund (Signal Iduna Park) Dusseldorf Arena (Merkur Spielarena) Frankfurt Arena (Deutsche Bank Park) Arena AufSchalke (Veltins Arena) Volksparkstadion Hamburg Leipzig Stadium (Red Bull Arena) Munich Football Arena (Allianz Arena) Stuttgart Arena

Dortmund's impressive home venue has a reduced capacity for international games

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Dortmund's impressive home venue has a reduced capacity for international games

The Veltins Arena will host 55,000 people at Euro 2024

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The Veltins Arena will host 55,000 people at Euro 2024

England are set to book their place at the tournament

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England are set to book their place at the tournamentCredit: Getty

Euro 2024: Groups

Germany have qualified as hosts while England and Scotland have booked their places too.

The draw for the groups has been conducted and there are some cracking ties.

Group A

A1: Germany  A2: Scotland A3: Hungary A4: Switzerland

Group B

B1: Spain B2: Croatia B3: Italy B4: Albania

Group C

C1: Slovenia C2: Denmark C3: Serbia C4: England

Group D

D1: Play-off winner A, D2: Netherlands D3: Austria D4: France

Group E

E1: Belgium E2: Slovakia E3: Romania E4: Play-off winner B

Group F

F1: Turkey F2: Play-off winner C F3: Portugal F4: Czechia

Euro 2024: How did Germany earn the tournament?

Germany were awarded this edition of the Euros in 2018 after 17 members of the UEFA executive committee voted for the three-time winners over Turkey.

The vote took place at UEFA's headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, and this will be the first time they have hosted the event since 1988.

Germany has top infrastructure in place and minimal work will be required ahead of the tournament, which was the main reason Turkey lost out.

But Turkey's poor human rights record was also taken into account.

So, Germany emerged as the obvious choice for UEFA's flagship international competition.

Germany have a strong football heritage and appear ideal hosts

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Germany have a strong football heritage and appear ideal hostsCredit: Getty

Euro 2024: Weather and kick-off times

Weather in Germany in June and July is very similar to the UK, with Berlin's average temperature over summer between 16C and 22C.

Therefore, the weather shouldn't be a problem for the players or fans.

Kick-off times for the majority of the matches have yet to be confirmed, but we know when the opening group game will start.

Kick-off at the Allianz Arena is set for 9pm CEST time, which would be 8pm UK time.

The semi-finals and final are also set to kick off at 8pm in the UK.

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