EURO 2024 to kick off in 100 days

By Can Erozden

This summer's European football championship, largely known as the UEFA EURO 2024, is set to kick off in June.

The 17th European football championship will start with the Germany vs. Scotland match on June 14 at Munich's Allianz Arena.

Being the hosts, Germany have automatically qualified for the tournament.

The final will be held at Berlin's Olympiastadion on July 14.

Ten German cities – Berlin, Cologne, Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Dortmund, Leipzig, Gelsenkirchen, Stuttgart and Dusseldorf – will host the football contest that will see 51 games.

Twenty-four nations will compete in the group stage.

The best two in each of the six groups will qualify for the round of 16. The four best third-placed finishers will join them.

- Italy to defend their title

The Italian national team, who won the EURO 2020 title after beating England on penalties, will defend their title in Germany.

Two-time European champions Italy will play against Spain, Croatia, and Albania in Group B.

- €331M prize money to be distributed

UEFA confirmed €331 million ($360 million) will be on offer as prize winnings at the EURO 2024. The title winner could get a maximum of €28.25 million if the national team wins all three games in the group stage.

Each of the 24 teams would receive a minimum of €9.25 million for playing in the month-long tournament.

The 2024 champions will receive an extra payment of €8 million, while the runners-up will earn an extra €5 million.

- EURO 2024 groups

Group A: Germany, Scotland, Hungary, Switzerland

Group B: Spain, Croatia, Italy, Albania

Group C: Slovenia, Denmark, Serbia, England

Group D: Playoff winner A, Netherlands, Austria, France

Group E: Belgium, Slovakia, Romania, Playoff winner B

Group F: Türkiye, Playoff winner C, Portugal, Czech Republic

- EURO 2024 qualifying playoffs

The final three tickets for the EURO 2024 will be determined via playoffs in March.

In the semifinal playoffs on March 21, Poland will face Estonia, and Wales will take on Finland in Path A, Israel will play against Iceland, Bosnia-Herzegovina will face Ukraine in Path B, and Georgia will take on Luxembourg, and Greece will play against Kazakhstan in Path C.

Each path (A, B and C) will have its own final on March 26.

Winners of each draw will face one another in each path, and every playoff final winner will earn their ticket to the EURO 2024 finals.