Explainers

EURO 2020 is in full swing after an excruciating wait.And fans watching on the box will have noticed varying attendances across the eleven host cities.
Wembley will be one of the main venues for Euro 2020Credit: Reuters
Which cities are hosting Euro 2020?
This summer’s competition will be hosted in 11 different cities, down from the original 12.
The stadiums hosting the competition are as follows:

Wembley Stadium – London, England
Allianz Arena – Munich, Germany
Stadio Olimpico – Rome, Italy
Olympic Stadium – Baku, Azerbaijan
Krestovsky Stadium – Saint Petersburg, Russia
Arena Nationala – Bucharest, Romania
Johan Cruyff Arena – Amsterdam, Holland
Estadio de la Cartuja – Sevilla, Spain
Puskas Arena – Budapest, Hungary
Hampden Park – Glasgow, Scotland
Parken Stadium – Copenhagen, Denmark

How many Euro 2020 games are in England?
Eight. Wembley will host all three England group games, two round of 16 games, two semi-finals and the final.
How many Euro 2020 games are in Scotland?
Four. Hampden Park will have two of Scotland’s games and the Croatia vs Czech Republic group game.
The Glasgow stadium will also host the final round-of-16 game.

Which countries are still hosting Euro 2020 and how many fans will they allow?
The following countries are hosting the competition.
ENGLAND
Wembley Stadium, London (90,000 capacity)
Wembley is set to host the Euro 2020 final
Wembley is set to host all England’s group matches, plus the Euro 2020 semi-final and final and two last 16 games originally scheduled for Dublin.
All England’s group games are being held at a 25 per cent capacity.
However, this will increase to 50 per cent for the knockout games at the national stadium.
Fans must show a negative Covid test or proof of two doses of an approved vaccine to enter.
SCOTLAND
Hampden Park, Glasgow (51,866 capacity)
Scotland has given Hampden Park the go-ahead for Euro 2020 matchesCredit: PA:Press Association
After months of speculation, the Scottish FA confirmed that Scotland would be able to host Euro 2020.
Hampden Park is the venue for two of Scotland’s Euro 2020 group games, plus Croatia’s match against the Czech Republic and one last 16 match.
It will host games at a 25 per cent capacity.
Fans in Scotland will not need a ‘vaccine passport’ to enter games at Hampden, but social distancing will be 1.5 metres compared to one metre in England.
AZERBAIJAN
Olympic Stadium, Baku (68,700 capacity)
Baku will host matches at a 50 per cent capacityCredit: Reuters
Azerbaijan is hosting all three Group A matches not involving Italy, as well as a quarter-final.
All matches will be held at a 50 per cent capacity.
DENMARK
Parken Stadium, Copenhagen (38,065 capacity)
Copenhagen was the first city to announce it would host Euro 2020 games with fansCredit: Getty – Contributor
Copenhagen is hosting all three of Denmark’s group matches, plus one last 16 match.
The Danish capital was the first city to announce in 2021 that it would host Euro 2020 with fans.
Just days before their opening match, the Danish FA announced an increase to a 65 per cent capacity for Copenhagen’s games.
RUSSIA
Krestovsky Stadium, St Petersburg (68,134 capacity)
Russia has been holding matches with fans throughout this seasonCredit: AP:Associated Press
St Petersburg is hosting two of Russia’s three home group games, plus Finland vs Belgium and one quarter-final.
In addition, it has been handed the three group games that were set to be hosted by Dublin.
All matches will be played at a minimum 50 per cent capacity.
Russia has been holding matches at half full stadiums throughout this season, while most of Europe has been playing behind closed doors due to coronavirus.
ROMANIA
Arena Nationala, Bucharest (55,600 capacity)
Romania did not qualify for Euro 2020 but the Arena Nationala will still host gamesCredit: Getty
Romania failed to qualify for Euro 2020 but their national stadium will still host three matches from Group C and one last 16 match.
Games at the Arena Nationala was set to host at a capacity of 25-33 per cent.
However, the Romanian Sports Minister on Thursday, June 10 announced an increase to 50 per cent.
HOLLAND
Johan Cruyff Arena (56,000 capacity)
Amsterdam will be hosting all Holland’s Euro 2020 group gamesCredit: Getty – Contributor
Netherlands was the second country to announce it would host Euro 2020 games, following Denmark.
All Holland’s group games, as well as a last 16 game, are being hosted at the Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam with a 25-33 per cent capacity able to attend.
The country began piloting matches with fans back in March, with the Netherlands’ World Cup qualifier against Latvia.
HUNGARY
Puskas Arena, Budapest (67,215 capacity)
Budapest is expecting to host games at full capacityCredit: Getty
Budapest will host two of Hungary’s three group matches, plus a repeat of the Euro 2016 final between Portugal and France.
It will also host one last 16 match.
The Hungarian capital is the only city to announce that games will be hosted at full capacity, subject to strict entry requirements.
67,000 fans are packing in for the game between Portugal and Hungary.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been keen to showcase his country on the world stage and reports suggest he has pushed to make sure there is a full crowd in the Puskas Arena.
He said last Friday: “Everyone who is registered [to come the match] will definitely have been vaccinated, and with their vaccination card will have the opportunity to take part in this event.”
You may remember that the same stadium was used to host Champions League matches in the latter stages of the tournament.
The Hungarian FA have hailed the countries vaccine rollout and claimed they want to give “lifetime experience to as many Hungarian fans as possible”.
ITALY
Stadio Olimpico, Rome (72,698 capacity)
Rome has given Uefa the assurances it needsCredit: EPA
Italy was given extra time by Uefa to confirm that it could host fans at Euro 2020.
And the Stadio Olimpico in Rome has announced that it will host games at a 25 per cent capacity.
Rome will host all of Italy’s group matches and a quarter-final which could involve England.
GERMANY
Allianz Arena (70,000 capacity)
Munich was the last of the original host cities to agree to host the tournamentCredit: Getty
The last of the original host cities to be announced – Munich was only confirmed on April 23.
The German city has committed to host matches in front of a minimum of 14,500 fans – a 20 per cent capacity – the lowest of all the host cities.
It will show all Germany group games and a quarter-final.
SPAIN
Estadio de la Cartuja, Seville (60,000)
Seville is a last minute addition as a Euro 2020 co-hostCredit: Reuters
A last minute addition, Seville will host the games that would have been held in Bilbao after the Spanish FA deemed the Basque Government’s conditions for hosting matches there “impossible” to meet.
The stadium is well prepared to host games, having been the Spanish FA’s de facto home during the pandemic.
Estadio de la Cartuja has hosted all Spain games, two Copa del Rey finals and the Spanish Super Cup in the past 12 months.
Euro 2020 games there will be played at a 30 per cent capacity.
Which cities have been removed from hosting Euro 2020?
The following countries failed to give Uefa the assurances they need to host Euro 2020.
IRELAND
Aviva Stadium, Dublin (51,700 capacity)
Dublin is the most likely city to miss out on hosting Euro 2020Credit: PA
Dublin will miss out on Euro 2020 after failing to give Uefa guarantees that any fans will be allowed to attend matches.
The Irish capital was set to host three Group E matches and a last 16 game that may well have ended up involving England.
The three group matches it would have hosted have gone to St Petersburg while the last 16 match will be held at Wembley.
SPAIN
San Mames, Bilbao (53,322 capacity)
The Spanish FA have refused to back Bilbao’s submission to UefaCredit: Reuters
Bilbao did commit to meet Uefa’s minimum requirement of a 25 per cent capacity, however the Spanish FA refused to back their submission due to the conditions attached.
The Basque government had stated that it would be able to host games provided 60 per cent of the Basque country and the rest of Spain had been vaccinated and less than two per cent of those in hospital were coronavirus patients.
But the Spanish FA labelled these conditions “impossible” to meet.
As a result, Seville will host the matches that were set for Bilbao.

Will any cities allow fans of other countries to travel?
The following countries are set to allow away fans to travel.
AZERBAIJAN
Azerbaijan has announced that fans of all travelling teams (Wales, Turkey, Switzerland and the two Baku quarter-finalists) will be able to submit a negative PCR test to enter the country instead of quarantining.
This offer only applies to citizens or residents of the participating countries.
RUSSIA
St Petersburg is considering offering exemptions to entry requirements for all foreign residents with match tickets and a negative Covid test.
However, a final decision has not yet been confirmed.
HUNGARY
Foreign ticket holders looking to attend games in Budapest must provide evidence of two negative Covid tests taken in the five days before entering Hungary.
The Hungarian government will also accept a certificate of previous Covid infection in the 6 months before entering the country.
ROMANIA
Romania is allowing foreign fans with two doses of the vaccine to attend matches.
Fans who submit a negative PCR test and restrict their stay in Romania to three days are also allowed to attend.
DENMARK
3000 Finland fans were allowed into the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen for their Euro 2020 opener against Denmark.
ENGLAND*
England will allow Scotland fans to attend the game against the Three Lions at Wembley.
However, this trip would not involve crossing a border and no exemption is set to apply to fans of Croatia and the Czech Republic from overseas.
The FA are also reportedly considering allowing fans of the semi-finalists and finalists attend games under a bubble arrangement.
The best TV deals for Euro 2020 including LG, Sony, Toshiba and more More

ENGLAND will be bidding to end a 55-year wait for silverware in this summer’s European Championships.In each group, the top two qualify for the knockout stages but similarly to Euro 2016, four of the six best third-placed teams will also join the list of teams vying for the chance to progress further in the competition.
Gareth Southgate will be hoping to get England off to a winning start vs CroatiaCredit: AFP
England will kick-start their campaign in-front of 22,500 fans at Wembley this Sunday as they take on their World Cup semi-final nemesis in Croatia, before a fiery Friday night clash with rivals Scotland.
The Three Lions will then conclude their set of group games against the Czech Republic on June 22.
Who could England play in the last-16?
England have been slashed firm favorites to top their group (group D) and come out with three wins from three.
However, whoever finishes top of group D, will face either Germany, Hungary, France or current holders Portugal from group F, dubbed the ‘group of death’.

Essentially winners of group D will play the second placed finishers from group F and if England win their group as the bookies have predicted – they will most likely be matched in a bumper round of 16 tie.
However, if England finish runners-up in their group, they would be drawn against the second in Group E.
Group E consists of three-time winners Spain, Sweden, Slovakia and Poland – with the Spaniards tipped favorites to progress as group winners.
If England finish as one of the third placed-best teams, they would face the winners of Group C, B or E.
Group C is made up of Netherlands, Ukraine, Austria and North Macedonia, whilst group B features Denmark, Finland, Belgium and Russia.
Credit: Reuters
In the last edition of the Euro championships, held in 2016, Slovakia, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and eventual winners Portugal all progressed to the knockout stages as the best third-placed teams.
On Portugal’s way to triumph, Fernando Santos’ side failed to win a single game in their group, drawing all three.
If England are to go through as one of the best third-placed teams, they would essentially need to win one and draw one, based on the previous tournament.
England’s potential opponents in the Round of 16

Win Group D – June 29 – vs Group F runners-up, 5pm KO (Wembley)
Finish second – June 28 – vs Group E runners-up, 5pm KO (Parken Stadium, Copenhagen)
Best third-place – June 29 – vs Group C winners, 5pm KO (Puskás Aréna, Budapest)Or, June 29 – vs Group B winners, 8pm KO (Stadium La Cartuja Sevilla)Or, June 29 – vs Group E winners, 8pm (Hampden Park, Glasgow) More

EURO 2020 is finally upon us with a massive festival of football already in full swing.It’s set to be a huge summer of action from around Europe as Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions go for glory.
Raheem Sterling scored England’s only goal in a 1-0 victory over CroatiaCredit: Getty
Kieffer Moore scored Wales’ only goal of the campaign so far against SwitzerlandCredit: The Mega Agency
There is plenty of home nations interest as well with Wales and Scotland involved in this summer’s showpiece.
Re-arranged from last year’s cancelled tournament, Turkey face Italy in the Group A curtain-raiser in Rome.
Euro 2020 groups
There are 24 nations competing in Euro 2020, which will get underway on Friday, June 11 2021.
Of the Home Nations, three have made it to the finals with England and Scotland both in Group D, while Wales have a tough ask in Group A.

Group A: Turkey, Italy, Wales, Switzerland.
Group B: Denmark, Finland, Belgium, Russia.
Group C: Netherlands, Ukraine, Austria, North Macedonia.
Group D: England, Croatia, Czech Republic, Scotland.
Group E: Spain, Sweden, Poland, Slovakia.
Group F: Germany, France, Portugal, Hungary.

Euro 2020 fixtures
Every single match of this summer’s tournament will be shown on free-to-air TV in the UK.
You can catch the games on either the BBC or ITV, so anyone with a valid TV licence can watch.
Games kick-off at 2pm, 5pm and 8pm BST – so there’s no late nights or early mornings like we’ve had in some recent World Cup’s.
If you want to stream, the BBC iPlayer and ITV Hub will allow you to do so – all you have to do is create a free account.

The best TV deals for Euro 2020 including LG, Sony, Toshiba and more

GROUP STAGE – Matchday 1
Friday, June 11

Saturday, June 12

Sunday, June 13

Monday, June 14

Tuesday, June 15

GROUP STAGE – Matchday 2
Wednesday, June 16 – TODAY

Result: Finland 0-1 Russia
Turkey vs Wales, 5pm (Group A, BBC/S4C for Welsh language commentary)
Italy vs Switzerland, 8pm (Group A, ITV)

Thursday, June 17

Ukraine vs North Macedonia, 2pm (Group C, ITV)
Denmark vs Belgium, 5pm (Group B, ITV)
Holland vs Austria, 8pm (Group C, BBC)

Friday, June 18

Sweden vs Slovakia, 2pm (Group E, BBC)
Croatia vs Czech Republic, 5pm (Group D, BBC)
England vs Scotland, 8pm (Group D, ITV)

Saturday, June 19

Hungary vs France, 2pm (Group F, BBC)
Portugal vs Germany, 5pm (Group F, ITV)
Spain vs Poland, 8pm (Group E, BBC)

GROUP STAGE – Matchday 3
Sunday, June 20

Italy vs Wales, 5pm (Group A, ITV/S4C for Welsh language commentary)
Switzerland vs Turkey, 5pm (Group A, ITV)

Monday, June 21

Ukraine vs Austria, 5pm (Group C, ITV)
North Macedonia vs Holland, 5pm (Group C, ITV)
Russia vs Denmark, 8pm (Group B, BBC)
Finland vs Belgium, 8pm (Group B, BBC)

Tuesday, June 22

Croatia vs Scotland, 8pm (Group D, ITV)
Czech Republic vs England, 8pm (Group D, ITV)

Wednesday, June 23

Sweden vs Poland, 5pm (Group E, ITV)
Slovakia vs Spain, 5pm (Group E, ITV)
Portugal vs France, 8pm (Group F, BBC)
Germany vs Hungary, 8pm (Group F, BBC)

KNOCKOUT STAGE – Round of 16
Saturday, June 26

Match one – Runner up Group A vs Runner-up Group B, 6pm
Match two – Winner Group A vs Runner-up Group C, 8pm

Sunday, June 27

Match three – Winner Group C vs 3rd Group D/E/F, 6pm
Match four – Winner Group B vs 3rd Group A/D/E/F, 8pm

Monday, June 28

Match five – Runner-up Group D vs Runner-up Group E, 6pm
Match six – Winner Group F vs 3rd Group A/B/C. 8pm

Tuesday, June 29

Match seven – Winner Group D vs Runner-up Group F, 6pm
Match eight – Winner Group E vs 3rd Group A/B/C/D, 8pm

KNOCKOUT STAGE – Quarter-finals
Friday, July 2

Winner of Match six vs Winner of Match five, 6pm
Winner of Match four vs Winner of Match two, 8pm

Saturday, July 3

Winner of Match three vs Winner of Match one, 6pm
Winner of Match eight vs Winner of match seven, 8pm

KNOCKOUT STAGE – Semi-finals
Tuesday, July 6

Quarter-final two winner vs Quarter-final one winner, 8pm

Wednesday, July 7

Quarter-final four winner vs Quarter-final three winner, 8pm

KNOCKOUT STAGE – Final
Sunday, July 11

Semi-final one winner vs Semi-final two winner, 8pm

This summer’s showpiece will be held at Wembley in LondonCredit: PA
Where will the Euro 2020 final be held?
In a huge boost for Gareth Southgate and England, the semi-finals and final will be held at Wembley Stadium.
Euro 2020 confirmed venues are:

Rome (Stadio Olimpico)
Baku (Olympic Stadium)
Copenhagen (Parken Stadium)
St Petersburg (St Petersburg Stadium)
Amsterdam (Johan Crujff Arena)
Bucharest (National Arena)
London (Wembley Stadium)
Glasgow (Hampden Park)
Budapest (Puskás Aréna)
Munich (Fußball Arena München)
Seville (La Cartuja Stadium) More