When does Euro 2024 start? Date, time of first game at UEFA finals in Germany

Brad Cox

When does Euro 2024 start? Date, time of first game at UEFA finals in Germany image

The 2024 European Championship is rapidly approaching and, with that, the excitement continues to build.

England are the favourites, despite never winning the tournament, with France second favourites.

Perhaps Les Bleus should be placed above England given that they knocked out the Three Lions in the quarterfinals at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. 

Germany are the hosts of the tournament and have therefore been drawn into Group A. Joining them in that group are Switzerland, Scotland and Hungary. 

The Sporting News takes a look at the tournament's schedule along with its format and opening game.

MORE: England predicted EURO 2024 squad

When does EURO 2024 start? Schedule and format of tournament

The UEFA European Championship takes place this summer, with the group stage to begin June 142024.

The opening game of the tournament will see hosts Germany face Scotland in Munich at the Allianz Arena. Kick-off is scheduled to take place at 9:00 p.m. local time (8pm UK and 3pm ET).

The tournament will then continue for the rest of the month, with the knockout stage beginning June 29, 2024, with the Round of 16.

The final will take place in Berlin on July 142024, to crown the winner and close the competition.

RoundDates
Group StageJune 14-26, 2024
Round of 16June 29-July 2, 2024
QuarterfinalsJuly 5-6, 2024
SemifinalsJuly 9-10, 2024
FinalJuly 14, 2024

What time do Euro 2024 games kick off?

Matches at Euro 2024 will kick off in one of three time slots (in local CET time): 3 p.m., 6 p.m., or 9 p.m.

Here is how those times translate to some of the major territories:

Time Zone3 p.m. CET6 p.m. CET9 p.m.CET
USA/Canada (ET)9 a.m.12 p.m.3 p.m.
USA/Canada (PT)6 a.m.9 a.m.12 p.m.
UK (BST)2 p.m.5 p.m.8 p.m.
India (IST)6:30 p.m.9:30 p.m.12:30 a.m.*
Australia (AEST)11 p.m.2 a.m.*5 a.m.*

*Following day

Full list of teams at Euro 2024

As tournament hosts, Germany were the only team to have qualified for Euro 2024 before the October qualifying matches.

Here are the teams who joined them over the course of the closing fixtures.

TeamQualification method
GermanyHosts
BelgiumGroup F — 1st place
FranceGroup B — 1st place
PortugalGroup J — 1st place
ScotlandGroup A — 2nd place
SpainGroup A — 1st place
TurkiyeGroup D – 1st place
AustriaGroup F — 2nd place
EnglandGroup C — 1st place
HungaryGroup G — 1st place
SlovakiaGroup J — 2nd place
AlbaniaGroup E – 1st place
CzechiaGroup E – 2nd place
DenmarkGroup H — 1st place
NetherlandsGroup B — 2nd place
RomaniaGroup I – 1st place
SwitzerlandGroup I – 2nd place
SloveniaGroup J — 2nd place
SerbiaGroup G — 2nd place
CroatiaGroup D – 2nd place
ItalyGroup C — 2nd place
PolandPlayoff final
GeorgiaPlayoff final
UkrainePlayoff final

Brad Cox

Brad Cox Photo

Brad is a content producer for The Sporting News and has previously worked for the likes of Squawka and The Athletic. His career highlight to date is reporting from the 2022 UEFA Champions League Final in Paris.