With the 2024 European Championships coming hot on the heels of the Champions League final, players will have to switch off from club football and quickly turn their attention to their international obligations. With the group stage draws already made, some managers must already have in mind their approaches to some crucial games.
As one of the best international football spectacles in the calendar, fans need to know the highlights and when they will take place.
Tournament Phases and Key Dates
Once the group stages are completed (starting on June 14), the round of 16 kicks off on June 29, the quarter-finals begin on July 5, the first semi-final is on July 9, and the final takes place on July 14.
Match Calendar by Phase
Here is the full list of fixtures, when they take place and at what time.
Group Stages Schedule
Friday June 14
- Germany vs. Scotland – 20:00 UK time / 21:00 CET
Germany vs. Scotland allows fans to settle in ahead of the full complement of games to come over the following month. With Toni Kroos coming out of retirement for the tournament, this could be the chance to watch footballing greatness one final time.
Saturday June 15
- Hungary vs. Switzerland – 14:00 UK time / 15:00 CET
- Spain vs. Croatia – 17:00 UK time / 18:00 CET
- Italy vs. Albania – 20:00 UK time / 21: 00 CET
For Spain, this tournament offers a chance to make a break with the past golden generations, and players such as Gavi, Ferran Torres and Rodri could be at the heart of a reborn country. For Croatia, Luka Modric could be at his last international tournament – and perhaps his last games ever.
Sunday June 16
- Slovenia vs. Denmark – 17:00 UK time / 18:00 CET
- Serbia vs. England – 20:00 UK time / 21:00 CET
- Winner play-off Path A vs. Netherlands – 14:00 UK time / 15:00 CET
England will hope to get an early win under their belt. If they don’t, the pressure will mount on Gareth Southgate right away, given the exceptional players such as Jude Bellingham he has to call upon.
Monday June 17
- Austria vs. France – 20:00 UK time / 21:00 CET
- Romania vs. Winner play-off Path B – 14:00 UK time 15:00 CET
- Belgium vs. Slovakia – 17:00 UK time / 18:00 CET
Tuesday June 18
- Turkey vs. Winner play-off Path C – 17:00 UK time / 18:00 CET
- Portugal vs. Czech Republic – 20:00 UK time / 21:00 CET
Could this be Cristiano Ronaldo’s last international tournament? It is hard to see him willingly stepping away from his country, but with Rafael Leao and Diogo Jota able to offer more pace up front, the choice may ultimately not be his.
Wednesday June 19
- Germany vs. Hungary – 17:00 UK time / 18:00 CET
- Scotland vs. Switzerland – 20:00 UK time / 21:00 CET
- Croatia vs. Albania – 14:00 UK time / 15:00 CET
Thursday June 20
- Spain vs. Italy – 20:00 UK time / 21:00 CET
- Slovenia vs. Serbia – 14:00 UK time / 15:00 CET
- Denmark vs. England – 17:00 UK time / 18:00 CET
The pick of the group stages, perhaps. Spain vs. Italy offers two sides in the middle of rebuilding the chance to prove themselves against a peer. With only a few games in each group stage both teams will want to inflict a defeat on a rival not just in the group stage, but for lifting the trophy in July.
Friday June 21
- Winner play-off Path A vs. Austria – 17:00 UK time / 18:00 CET
- Netherlands vs. France – 20:00 UK time / 21:00 CET
- Slovakia vs. Winner play-off Path B – 14:00 UK time / 15:00 CET
The Netherlands are another European great who are struggling to perform internationally. They face Kylian Mbappe’s France side who can call upon a host of stars looking to put the disappointment of Qatar behind them.
Saturday June 22
- Belgium vs. Romania – 20:00 UK time / 21:00 CET
- Winner play-off Path C – 14:00 UK time / 15:00 CET
- Turkey vs. Portugal – 17:00 UK time / 18:00 CET
Sunday June 23
- Scotland vs. Hungary – 20:00 UK time / 21:00 CET
- Switzerland vs. Germany – 20:00 UK time / 21:00 CET
Monday June 24
- Albania vs. Spain – 20:00 UK time / 21:00 CET
- Croatia vs. Italy – 20:00 UK time / 21:00 CET
Tuesday June 25
- Denmark vs. Serbia – 20:00 UK time / 21:00 CET
- England vs. Slovenia – 20:00 UK time / 21:00 CET
- France vs. Winner play-off Path A – 17:00 UK time / 18:00 CET
- Netherlands vs. Austria – 17:00 UK time / 18:00 CET
Wednesday June 26
- Slovakia vs. Romania – 17:00 UK time / 18:00 CET
- Winner play-off Path B vs. Belgium – 17:00 UK time / 18:00 CET
- Czech Republic vs. Turkey – 20:00 UK time / 21:00 CET
- Winner play-off Path C vs. Portugal – 20:00 UK time / 21:00 CET
Round of 16 Schedule
Saturday, June 29
- Group A Second Place vs. Group B Second Place – 17:00 UK time / 18:00 CET
- Group A Winner vs. Group C Second Place – 20:00 UK time / 21:00 CET
Sunday, June 30
- Group C Winner vs. Third Place Group D/E/F – 17:00 UK time / 18:00 CET
- Group B Winner vs. Third PLace Group A/D/E/F – 20:00 UK time / 21:00 CET
Monday, July 1
- TBD vs. TBD 17:00
- TBD vs. TBD 20:00
Tuesday, July 2
- TBD vs. TBD – 17:00
- TBD vs. TBD – 20:00
Quarter final Schedule
Friday, July 5
- TBD vs. TBD – 17:00
- TBD vs. TBD – 20:00
Saturday, July 6
- TBD vs. TBD – 17:00
- TBD vs. TBD 20:00
Semi-final Schedule
Tuesday, July 9
- TBD vs. TBD – 20:00
Wednesday, July 10
- TBD vs. TBD – 20:00
Final
Sunday, July 14
- TBD vs. TBD – 20:00
Socios.com and Fan Experiences
Fans can use Socios.com to follow the European Championships to keep up to date with all the action, while keeping track of all the fixtures and results. Socios.com will also be providing exclusive content to aid enjoyment of one of football’s biggest tournaments.
Impact of the Calendar on Fans
Fans will need to be keenly aware of what is going on over June and July. Play-off games means that some struggling sides might have reason to play until the very last group stage game, and with some of the biggest players now approaching their final games, nobody will want to miss out on Toni Kroos or Luka Modric, for example. With some huge names like Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe looking to shine for their country, supporters need to know when and where all the games are taking place.
Final Reflection
Now you know the schedule ahead, you can keep track of when the best players are going to be taking to the world stage, when the most important games are on over the month, and also to keep track of which players and countries manage to get all the way to the final.
