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SEBorussia Dortmund’s famous Westfalenstadion has been picked to host 2024 European Championship matches this summer. This stunning venue in North Rhine-Westphalia will hold several important games throughout the competition. Known for its incredible atmosphere, Dortmund’s ground will be electric this summer.
We check out Westfalenstadion’s rich history, the stadium’s impressive capacity, and the games it will host during the European Championships in 2024. The 24 nations are putting preparations in place for the finals, and the football world is ready for the 17th edition of the Euro Cup. Which European nation will lift the famous Henri Delaunay Trophy in July?
Key Facts About the European Championships 2024 Arena in Dortmund
The Westfalenstadion is home to Borussia Dortmund, who are one of Germany’s top football clubs. The arena attracts fans from all over the continent for Dortmund’s home fixtures in the Bundesliga, and it boasts one of the best atmospheres in the beautiful game.
Dortmund’s famous ‘Yellow Wall’ has become a familiar sight among football fanatics. A staggering 25,000 fans pack into the stand behind the goal, and the Dortmund supporters generate an atmosphere like nothing else.
Dortmund have played their home fixtures at the Westfalenstadion since it opened in 1974. In April 2024, the Black and Yellows will be celebrating 50 years at the iconic sporting venue. Westfalenstadion is its official name, though the ground is also known as Signal Iduna Park and BVB Stadion Dortmund.
The stadium was originally built for the World Cup in 1974, which took place in West Germany. The first World Cup match to be held at the Westfalenstadion was the Zaire vs Scotland fixture on June 14th, 1974. The Scots picked up a 2-0 win thanks to goals from Peter Lorimer and Joseph Jordan.
The Westfalenstadion is Germany’s largest football stadium, with a capacity of over 80,000 fans for league games. Only Barcelona and Real Madrid have bigger home grounds, and the venue is currently the seventh-largest in Europe.
The Westfalenstadion also holds the record for average fan attendance, with an 80,000+ capacity for every Dortmund home league game. An incredible 55,000 season tickets are sold each year. Despite the fight for tickets, Dortmund’s home is still one of the most visited stadiums in Europe for football tourists.
Signal Iduna Park has hosted several high-profile football fixtures over the years, including the European Cup final between Liverpool and Deportivo Alaves in 2001. The English and Spanish supporters generated a stunning atmosphere in the ground, and the action on the pitch lived up to the hype. The Reds ran out 5-4 winners in a nine-goal Dortmund thriller.
Borussia Dortmund have been a mainstay in Europe’s elite club competition over the years, so there have been a whole host of huge Champions League nights at the Westfalenstadion. The arena has also hosted matches in two World Cups and various music concerts.
Dortmund as a city is a great place to visit, not just for the football. It is the third-largest city behind Cologne and Dusseldorf in North Rhine-Westphalia and the eighth-biggest in Germany.
While on their travels in Dortmund, European Championship fans can visit Bodelschwingh Castle, Theater Dortmund, and the Dortmund U-Tower. There are also a whole host of shops and restaurants to enjoy in the city centre.
Seating Capacity at the Westfalenstadion
The Westfalenstadion is one of the biggest grounds in Europe. Only six European sporting venues have a larger capacity. When Dortmund are in Bundesliga action, over 80,000 fans pack into the stadium.
The Yellow Wall has become iconic in football. The South Bank has the largest standing terrace for spectators, housing 25,000. The fans generate incredible noise and create one of the most intimidating atmospheres in the world.
Although the venue holds 80,000 fans for regular Dortmund matches, that number is significantly lower for international fixtures. Due to standing being forbidden, the Westfalenstadion is only allowed 65,000 fans for the 2024 European Championships.
It is the biggest of all ten Euro Cup arenas for 2024, but it will have the third-largest capacity behind Berlin and Munich. The famous Olympiastadion will house almost 75,000, while Bayern Munich’s impressive Allianz Arena will have a capacity of 70,000.
Even without the Yellow Wall of Dortmund supporters, the European Championship fans visiting the Westfalenstadion this summer will no doubt create their own unique atmosphere. There have been several huge matches at the venue before, and the Westfalenstadion will be a great host in the 2024 European Championship.
European Championship 2024 Matches to be Held in Dortmund
Dortmund is one of the top venues in the 2024 European Championship, with four group matches, a last-16 game, and the second semi-final all taking place at the Westfalenstadion.
Turkey will play twice in Dortmund in the group stage, with the first matchup coming against the play-off Path C winner on June 18th. The Crescent-Stars will be back at Signal Iduna Park for the 23rd fixture of the tournament, when they will face the 2016 winners Portugal on June 22nd. Group F looks tough on paper, with Czech Republic also in the group, but Turkey and Portugal are expected to take the top two spots.
The first 2024 European Championship match to be held in Dortmund will feature the current cup holders. Italy get their competition up and running with a game against Albania on June 15th. The Italians will then play Spain and Croatia in a tough-looking Group B. The Spaniards, Croatians, and Italians will be battling for the top two places, while the Albanians could be spoilers. That is certainly the “Group of Death” in the 2024 European football tournament.
France will play in the fourth and final group match at the Westfalenstadion on June 25th. Didier Deschamps’ men will play the winner of play-off Path A, which could be Wales. The Welsh will take part in the play-offs in March.
Group D looks fascinating on paper, as France and Netherlands do battle for the top spot. Along with the Path A play-off winner, Austria are also in the group. The Austrians had an impressive qualifying campaign, winning six of eight to finish runners-up behind Belgium.
The Westfalenstadion will also host two mouth-watering knockout fixtures. The first will be a Round of 16 matchup on June 29th, which will be the second knockout game of the competition. The winner of Group A will take on the team that finishes second in Group C.
England will play in Dortmund if they finish runners-up in Group C, but Gareth Southgate’s men are looking to win their group. The Three Lions will play Slovenia, Denmark, and Serbia in Gelsenkirchen, Frankfurt, and Cologne, respectively.
The latter stages of major tournaments require the very best stadiums, and the Westfalenstadion has been chosen for the semi-finals. If England win Group C and get through the Round of 16 and quarter-finals, their semi-final tie will take place in Dortmund on July 10th.
The winners of the second semi-final at the Westfalenstadion will book their place in the 2024 European Championship final, which will be held at the famous Olympiastadion in the German capital on July 14th.
Borussia Dortmund’s stunning arena will host a total of six matches during the 2024 European tournament, including two games in the knockout phase. The first will be the Italy vs Albania group match on June 15th, and the final European Championship 2024 encounter to be played in Dortmund will be the second semi-final on July 10th.
Betting on Football 2024 Matches at the Westfalenstadion with Unibet
The battle for the European Championship trophy will be thrilling this summer. Germany, Spain, France, England, Belgium, and Portugal are the top seeds, and all six will be looking to go far.
Germany kick off their home tournament against Scotland in Munich, and three points will be the perfect start. Julian Nagelsmann’s men then face Hungary in Stuttgart and Switzerland in Frankfurt. The Germans are looking to add to their three European Cup triumphs.
The likes of Croatia, Romania, Turkey, and Netherlands could be dark horses, while defending champions Italy can never be ruled out. Will a familiar face lift the cup, or will we see a new name etched on the Henri Delaunay Trophy?
England were crowned World Cup winners in 1966 but have never been European champions. They had their best tournament in the last edition, reaching the final on home soil.
Unfortunately, the Italians held their nerve in the shootout to get the win at Wembley Stadium and break England’s hearts. Nevertheless, the English will use that as a tonic in the 2024 version, and Gareth Southgate’s men could be the ones to watch out for on German soil.
We at Unibet will offer competitive odds on every European Championship matchup, including the six games taking place at the Westfalenstadion. All matches will be spectacles, but the semi-final in Dortmund on July 10th promises to be extra special.
The Dortmund locals will give a warm welcome to the visiting supporters, and the Westfalenstadion will be one of the top venues for the 2024 European Championships.
