Explainers

EURO 2020 have almost arrived after an excruciating wait.And Uefa have announced the list of cities hosting the tournament following the coronavirus pandemic, plus how many fans they will allow.
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

Which countries are still hosting Euro 2020 and how many fans will they allow?
The following countries have given Uefa they assurances they need to host 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.
The FA have committed to hold their group games at a 25 per cent capacity.
However, this is likely to increase for the semi-final and final, with talk of a 50 per cent, or even a full capacity for those games.
The National Stadium will also host the last 16 match initially scheduled for Dublin, which will involve England if they win their group.
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.
AZERBAIJAN
Olympic Stadium, Baku (68,700 capacity)
Baku will host matches at a 50 per cent capacityCredit: Reuters
Azerbaijan has announced that it will be able to host Euro 2020 matches, including Wales’ fixtures against Switzerland and Turkey.
Baku will also host Turkey vs Switzerland and one 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 will host 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.
A crowd of 25-33 per cent capacity will be allowed into Parken Stadium.
RUSSIA
Krestovsky Stadium, St Petersburg (68,134 capacity)
Russia has been holding matches with fans throughout this seasonCredit: AP:Associated Press
St Petersburg will host 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 will be hosted at a capacity of 25-33 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 will be 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’s, with the 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.
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.
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 considering providing an exemption to quarantine for foreign ticket holders for games in Bucharest.
This will apply to those who provide proof of a negative Covid test and restrict their stay in Romania to three days or les.
ENGLAND*
England is expected to allow 3600 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. More

EURO 2020 is just around the corner, with the tournament getting underway on June 11 in Rome. This summers competition is set to take place all across the continent, with 11 cities hosting games.
Gareth Bale, Harry Kane and Paul Pogba should all be in action for their countries
The Euro 2020 final will be played at Wembley and there will be fans if everything goes to planCredit: GETTY IMAGES
WIN £50,000! Play Dream Team Euros – our FREE fantasy football game

But squeezed in between will be warm-up fixtures for the likes of England, Scotland, Wales, France and Portugal.
Luckily for you, SunSport have complied everything you need to know.
When are England’s warm-up fixtures?

Wednesday, 2 June – England vs Austria – Riverside Stadium – 8pm
Sunday, 6 June – England vs Romania – Riverside Stadium – 5pm

Gareth Southgate will be using the two fixtures against Austria and Romania to prepare his team for a big summer of football.
Both games will be plated at the Riverside Stadium, home of Middlesbrough.
And he’ll be hoping his team can replicate their last performance in a major international competition – World Cup 2018 – if not do better.
Southgate has named his 33-man squad which will be cut down to 26 on 1 June.
Brighton defender Ben White is a surprise inclusion, alongside Everton’s Ben Godfrey.
How England’s path to Euros glory could look
When are Scotland’s warm-up fixtures?

Wednesday, 2 June – Netherlands vs Scotland – Estádio Algarve – 7.45pm
Sunday, 6 June – Luxembourg vs Scotland – Josy Barthel – 5pm

Steve Clarke is taking his side to Portugal for his teams first fixture against the Netherlands.
And his team will then travel to play Luxembourg days later.
Clarke has named his team which will take part in the tournament – and he has included Chelsea youngster Billy Gilmour.
Billy Gilmour in action for ChelseaCredit: PA
⚽ Follow ALL of the latest news and updates from Euro 2020 with our live blog
When are Wales’ warm-up fixtures?

Wednesday, 2 June – France vs Wales – Allianz Riviera – 8.05pm
Saturday, 5 June – Wales vs Albania – Cardiff City Stadium – 5pm

Robert Page will lead Wales into this summers tournament after taking over from legend Ryan Giggs.
His team will start off with a tough friendly against world champions France, who will be looking to win the Euros after being shocked in the 2016 final by Portugal.
Wales will welcome Albania days later to the Cardiff City Stadium, for one last send-off before they set off for Baku for their first group stage fixture against Switzerland on 12 June.
Robert Page will manage Wales at the EurosCredit: GETTY IMAGES
When are France’s warm-up fixtures?

Wednesday, 2 June – France vs Wales – Allianz Riviera – 8.05pm
Tuesday, 8 June – France vs Bulgaria – Stade de France – 8.10pm

Didier Deschamps’ team will play both of their warm-up fixtures on home soil, starting off with Wales on 2 June.
Bulgaria will follow, and the fixture will take place in the very stadium France lost to Portugal in, in the Euro 2016 final.
Deschamps has already announced his 26-man squad for this summers Euros.
And he has recalled Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, five years after his last call-up.
Benzema was last called up five years agoCredit: GETTY IMAGES
When are Portugal’s warm-up fixtures?

Friday, 4 June – Spain vs Portugal – Estadio Wanda Metropolitano – 6.30pm
Wednesday, 9 June – Portugal vs Israel – José Alvalade Stadium – 7.45pm

Portugal manager Fernando Santos has announced a mouth-watering 26-man squad including the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes.
Here’s how Portugal could line up for Euro 2020
WIN £50,000! Play Dream Team Euros – our FREE fantasy football game
WIN £50,000 with Dream Team EurosDream Team Euros is HERE!
The best fantasy football game to accompany Euro 2020 has arrived.
And you can play absolutely FREE for your chance to win the £50,000 jackpot.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR FREE!
Dream Team Euros

£50,000 jackpot
The best fantasy football game this summer
Play in mini-leagues against your mates, colleagues, family members – and some hand-picked celebrities
FREE to play

The reigning champions are looking to win the Euros back-to-back with an arguably stronger squad than the side that beat France in the 2016 Euros final.
But up first, Portugal will travel to continental neighbours Spain and play a warm-up fixture at the home of Spanish champions Atletico Madrid.
Portugal will then face Israel on home soil before preparing to face Hungary in their opening Euro 2020 fixture.
Full Euro 2020 warm-up fixture list
Thursday, May 27
Turkey 2-1 Azerbaijan
Friday, May 28
Italy 7-0 San Marino
Saturday, May 29
Sweden 2-0 Finland
Sunday, May 30
Switzerland 2-1 United States
Monday, May 31
Turkey 0-0 Guinea
Tuesday, June 1
Croatia 1-1 Armenia
Poland 1-1 Russia
North Macedonia 1-1 Slovenia
Slovakia 1-1 Bulgaria
Wednesday, June 2
Netherlands vs Scotland (7.45pm)
England vs Austria (8pm)
Germany vs Denmark (8pm)
France vs Wales (8.05pm)
Thursday, June 3
Switzerland vs Liechtenstein (5pm)
Turkey vs Moldova (6pm)
Ukraine vs Northern Ireland (7pm)
Belgium vs Greece (7.45pm)
Friday, June 4
Finland vs Estonia (5pm)
North Macedonia vs Kazakhstan (5pm)
Spain vs Portugal (6.30pm)
Hungary vs Cyprus (7pm)
Italy vs Czech Republic (7.45pm)
Saturday, June 5
Russia vs Bulgaria (4pm)
Wales vs Albania (5pm)
Sweden vs Armenia (7.45pm)
Sunday, June 6
Austria vs Slovakia (4.30pm)
Denmark vs Bosnia (5pm)
England vs Romania (5pm)
Luxembourg vs Scotland (5pm)
Netherlands vs Georgia (5pm)
Belgium vs Croatia (7.45pm)
Monday, June 7
Ukraine vs Cyprus (5pm)
Germany vs Latvia (7.45pm)
Tuesday, June 8
Poland vs Iceland (5pm)
Hungary vs Republic of Ireland (7pm)
Czech Republic vs Albania (7.15pm)
Spain vs Lithuania (7.45pm)
France vs Bulgaria (8.10pm)
Wednesday, June 9
Portugal vs Israel (7.45pm)
Portugal announce incredible Euro 2020 squad More

ENGLAND face Austria tonight as they begin their preparations for the start of Euro 2020.Gareth Southgate’s side are one of the favourites to win this summer’s showpiece and will play all of their group matches at Wembley.

WIN £50,000! Play Dream Team Euros – our FREE fantasy football game

Southgate’s side are based in the North East as they begin Euro preparationCredit: Getty
But ahead of the big kick-off a week on Friday, they must first negotiate this warm-up friendly against Franco Foda’s side in Middlesbrough.
Why are England playing at the Riverside Stadium?
After announcing his final squad on Tuesday evening, Southgate will run his side through its paces against the Austrians on Wednesday.
The game will be held at Championship side Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium, where kick-off is at 8pm.
The Three Lions are based in the North East for the next week and will face Romania at the same venue on Sunday.
Boro are welcoming over 8,000 fans for each game this weekCredit: PA:Press Association
Boro’s ground last staged an international in 2003, when England beat Slovakia 2-1.
The stadium has been selected due to it’s Covid-secure status and continues the trend of England heading out on the road for home internationals.
They’ve played at Manchester, Sunderland, Leeds, Leicester and Southampton since 2016 and the FA have leapt on this opportunity to branch away from London again.
There will be over 8,200 fans in attendance, with the game a sell-out – although that accounts for only 25 percent of the Riverside’s total capacity.
How can I watch on TV and live stream?
You can catch England vs Austria live on ITV1.
Coverage will start at 7.30pm.
If you want to stream, head to the ITV Hub or download the official app on your mobile or tablet.

England’s Euro 2020 schedule

Sunday, 13 June – England vs Croatia – Wembley Stadium – 2pm
Thursday, 18 June – England vs Scotland – Wembley Stadium – 8pm
Tuesday, 22 June – Czech Republic vs England – Wembley Stadium – 8pm More