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SEThe beautiful city of Frankfurt will host important 2024 European Championship matches this summer. The Waldstadion is instantly recognisable with its retractable roof and stunning design, and the stadium will be a big hit among visiting Euro football fans.
In this in-depth stadium guide, check out the history of the Waldstadion, its capacity, and the matches it will host during the European Championships in 2024. The 17th edition of the European tournament is not too far away, and excitement is building for the German competition. Which nation will get their hands on the trophy in July?
Key Facts About the European Championships 2024 Arena in Frankfurt
The original Waldstadion was opened way back in May 1925. It took four years to build and cost €14 million in today’s money. It has undergone several renovations over the years, with the last rebuild coming in 2005.
Waldstadion, which will also be known as Frankfurt Arena during the European Championship tournament, is home to German Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt. The club have been tenants since 1925 and have enjoyed plenty of success over the years.
Frankfurt have been top-flight German champions on one occasion, lifting the trophy in 1959. They have been German Cup winners five times and were European Cup runners-up in 1960.
Eintracht’s most recent success was in the Europa League in 2022. After seeing off Premier League club West Ham United in the semi-finals, the Eagles took on Scottish giants Rangers in the final. After a 1-1 draw in Seville, Frankfurt won 5-4 on penalties to get their hands on the Europa League trophy.
The Waldstadion is primarily used for Eintracht Frankfurt’s home matches, but the venue has hosted several other major sporting events throughout the years. NFL games have been played in Frankfurt, as well as hockey matches and cycling events.
One of the biggest sporting spectacles held at the Waldstadion was the heavyweight boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Karl Mildenberger in 1966. The great Ali kept up his 100% professional winning record with a TKO victory against the German. That was just one of two Ali fights in Germany.
There have also been several high-profile music concerts held at the venue. In the 1990s, The Rolling Stones. Michael Jackson, U2, and Guns N’ Roses all played at the Waldstadion. Since then, Tina Turner, Madonna, Celine Dion, Rihanna, and Beyonce have also performed in Frankfurt.
The Waldstadion was used for the World Cup in West Germany in 1974. Five matches took place in Frankfurt, including Germany’s second-round win against Poland. Six games were played at the Waldstadion in the World Cup in 2006. The quarter-final fixture between Brazil and France was held in Frankfurt, which the French edged 1-0.
There have also been Confederations Cup, Women’s World Cup, and Champions League fixtures at the Waldstadion. It has been used as a European Championship venue before, hosting two group games in the 1988 edition.
Frankfurt is the fifth-most populous city in Germany and the main city in the state of Hesse. There is plenty to do in the beautiful city, such as visit the Alte Oper, take in the Palm Gardens, and check out the Main Tower.
Seating Capacity at the Waldstadion
Since its renovation in 2005, the seating capacity of the venue has been 58,000 for regular league matches. That includes a standing area of 20,000. The venue can hold 48,000 for American Football games and up to 65,000 for concerts.
However, due to a no-standing policy at international matches, the capacity is cut to around 54,000. The official capacity for the 2024 European Championship is 54,697. The Olympiastadion, Allianz Arena, Westfalenstadion, Stuttgart Arena, and Arena AufSchalke will all have a higher attendance during the finals.
There have been big crowds for huge games at the Waldstadion over the years. A capacity of 62,000 watched Germany’s victory against Poland in the World Cup in 1974, and there were over 45,000 for the Confederations Cup final between rivals Brazil and Argentina in 2005.
Michael Jackson performed in front of 60,000 people during his Dangerous World Tour in 1992, and there was a combined attendance of over 184,000 for Ed Sheeran’s three nights at the Waldstadion for his sell-out tour in 2022.
Even though the capacity has been cut and there are several stadiums with a higher capacity at the European Championship in 2024, the fans at the Waldstadion will generate a great atmosphere. The Euro matches in Frankfurt promise to be entertaining, and the city will be full of life throughout the tournament.
European Championship 2024 Matches to be Held in Frankfurt
Frankfurt is one of the top venues for the European Championship, with four group matches and a Round of 16 fixture taking place at the venue. The likes of England, Belgium, Denmark, and Germany will play group games at the Waldstadion.
First up, the Group E matchup between Belgium and Slovakia will be held in Frankfurt. The Belgians are one of the tournament favourites, and three points at the Waldstadion in game one will set them up nicely.
England kick off their 2024 tournament with a Group C game against Serbia on June 16th. After that one, the Three Lions leave Gelsenkirchen to head to Frankfurt for matchday two. England will play Denmark in a tasty-looking fixture at the Waldstadion on June 20th.
Those two sides clashed at the 2020 European Championship, with England edging a tight semi-final to book their spot in the European final for the first time. The English and Danes will be going head-to-head for the top spot in Group C, so the fixture in Frankfurt is a huge one. The winners at the Waldstadion could go on to win the group.
Tournament hosts Germany will also play at the Frankfurt stadium in the group stage. The Germans start their competition with a game against Scotland in Munich before heading to Stuttgart to face Hungary.
Julian Nagelsmann’s men will make their way to Frankfurt for their final Group A fixture on June 23rd. Switzerland could be a tough nut to crack, but the Germans will be favourites on home soil. Besides, they could already be through to the last 16 by the time their third match kicks off.
The fourth and final group game at the Waldstadion will take place on June 26th. Slovakia and Romania will lock horns in Frankfurt in an intriguing Group E fixture. With the Belgians expected to win the group, the Slovakians and Romanians could be left to battle it out for second. The play-off Path B winners will also be in the group.
When the group stage is done and dusted, the Waldstadion will be used one more time during the finals. The third Round of 16 game on July 1st will take place in Frankfurt. The Group F winners will go up against a team that finishes third in Group A, B, or C. England are in Group C, but Gareth Southgate’s men are looking to win their group and are unlikely to feature in Frankfurt.
However, Scotland could find themselves in Frankfurt for the last 16 if they finish third in Group A. The Scots have three tough games, but Steve Clarke’s in-form troops will fancy their chances of securing a top-three finish.
In total, there will be four group matches and one knockout game played in Frankfurt at the 2024 European Championships. Several big nations will feature at the stadium, and the Round of 16 tie on July 1st will no doubt be an entertaining encounter.
Betting on Football 2024 Matches at the Waldstadion with Unibet
Germany, Spain, France, England, Belgium, and Portugal are the top seeds in the tournament, and all six nations are capable of lifting the trophy in Berlin in July.
There are also several potential dark horses to look out for, including Croatia, Denmark, and Netherlands. Italy are the defending champions after their 2020 Euro Cup success, and the Italians can never be ruled out.
Southgate’s Three Lions enter the tournament with plenty of optimism, but can they live up to the favourites tag? England have never been European champions, though they did go close in the 16th edition.
The English reached the Wembley Stadium final but were beaten on penalties by Italy. They would have taken plenty of heart from the 2020 tournament, and they could be the team to beat in Germany.
There will be loads to bet on during the 2024 championships, including the outright winner. We at Unibet will have a comprehensive Euro betting market when the tournament is alive and kicking, and you can bet on every England game this summer.
Competitive odds will also be available for all five fixtures taking place at the Waldstadion. There are some big names playing in Frankfurt, and the Frankfurt Arena has a huge role to play in the finals.
Frankfurt is a stunning city with a spectacular stadium, and the locals will be out in force this summer to welcome football fans from all over Europe.
