Düsseldorf Euro 2024 is one of the German cities set to host the European Championship this year starting on June 14. Like every Euro 2024 city focus published here at Football Ground Guide, a comprehensive review of Düsseldorf is equally important to keep travelling fans in the know.
Read this our Düsseldorf Euro 2024 focus to learn more about the location such as what to expect, and do, including where to eat and drink.
Euro 2024- what to expect in Düsseldorf
Contents
Düsseldorf Arena fact sheet
During the Düsseldorf Euro 2024 fixtures, the hugely popular Merkur Spiel-Arena that hosts home games for Fortuna Düsseldorf will be known as Düsseldorf Arena. Here are some fun facts about the venue:
- Düsseldorf Arena boasts a capacity of 54,000, which makes it one of the largest stadiums in the upcoming UEFA Euro 2024.
- The stadium was constructed between the years 2002 and 2004 and opened on 10 September 2024.
- The cost of constructing the Düsseldorf Arena was €240 million and was designed by architect JSK Architekten.
- Before Merkur Spiel-Arena became the home ground for Fortuna Düsseldorf, it was previously occupied by other Bundesliga teams such as Bayer Leverkusen (2008 – 2009), KFC Uerdingen (2019 – 2020), and Rhein Fire (2005 – 2007). It is also a home ground to the German National Team but only for selected matches.
- The venue was opened by Herbert Gronemeyer a German singer who held two concerts at the inception of the venue. Other popular musicians who have performed at the venue are Madonna, Black Eyed Peas, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Coldplay, the Weekend, and many others.
Which Euro 2024 fixtures will be staged at the Düsseldorf Arena?
Being one of the venues set to host UEFA Euro matches in 2024, Düsseldorf Arena will have some exciting matches at the group stages namely:
- 17 June 2024 – Austria vs France.
- 21 June 2024 – Slovakia vs Ukraine.
- 26 June 2024 – Albania vs Spain.
Apart from the above three group stage fixtures at Düsseldorf Euro 2024, there will also be a round of 16 clash at the venue on July 1. Moreover, Düsseldorf Arena will also host a Euro 2024 quarter-final clash on 6 July 2024.
Things to do for fans in Düsseldorf
The fact that Düsseldorf Euro 2024 is one of the privileged locations to host one of the four quarterfinal matches this year means there is every reason to catch the earliest flight to the German city this summer.
While you make travel arrangements before Austria vs France kicks off the Düsseldorf Euro 2024 fixtures, there is a lot you can do in and around the city.
- While ‘dorf' means village in German, Düsseldorf has come on in leaps and bounds over the years, so a walk around what has become an international metropolis will be worth a good time. Enjoy some Bavarian beer while interacting with the locals in Düsseldorf by visiting some local breweries.
- You can always visit attractions such as Fan Zone Schauspielhaus, Fan Zone Burgplatz, the Public Viewing Rheinufer and many other exciting locations during the 2024 Euro tournament.
- Düsseldorf Old Town is another place worth visiting, thanks to its beer culture. The old town is popular for having the longest bar in the world.
- And if you want to experience Japanese culture first-hand, Little Tokyo, which is a short distance from the central station, is a must-have on your bucket list. The Japanese community in Düsseldorf is the third-largest after the ones in Paris and London.
- Enjoy scenic Rhine Walk in Fortuna-Bundchen as you wind your way to the match venue. The location is popular for cyclists heading to the Düsseldorf Euro 2024 arena.
Dusseldorf Arena is all setup, including the Euro 2024 fan zones.
The Euros fan zone is all set up in Düsseldorf, not long to go now 🔥#euro2024 #uefa #germany #ticket #england pic.twitter.com/IiDygBFeLv
— Euro 2024 Tickets (@euro2024ticket) May 24, 2024
Dusseldorf Euro 2024 Fan Zones
Dusselford is already welcoming thousands of visitors ahead of the Euro 2024 matches to be staged in the city's Dusseldorf Arena. But apart from the high-octane football action expected in Dusseldorf, you should make the most of the Euro Festivals in and around the match venue.
Your first stop should be Fan Zone Burgplatz, which is expected to feature several activities such as performances from top-notch musicians. Faith.Love. Football is a popular theatre performance expected to be staged at the Fan Zone Schauspielhasu, so it is something that every football fan heading to Dusseldorf should find exciting.
Another location you should check out in Dusseldorf before, during and after the 2024 European Championship is the public viewing area located at Rheinufer. You can watch live matches or catch up with match highlights after a day at the Dusseldorf Arena.
Fan Zone Burgplatz is situated at the heart of the city, providing every visitor with much-needed relief after a busy day. It is free to enter the fan zone, so be sure to check the main activities lined up for the Dusseldorf European Championship from June 14 to July 13.
Food and drink in Dusseldorf
Of course, you would want to wine and dine in the finest places in and around Dusseldord during the European Championship but where exactly do you need to go and have the best beer or food?
Dusseldorf is never short of the best when it comes to culinary services, so whether you will need local caterers or have a taste of wide-ranging European dishes, everything is you need is either a call away or within sight. Note that it would be more convenient to pay for drinks or food using your credit/debit, so ensure there is enough money for your trip to Dusseldorf 2024 for the European Championship.
Düsseldorf Euro 2024 – your travel guide
UEFA aims to make Euro 2024 an environmentally friendly event, so you are advised to consider using low-carbon and eco-friendly modes of transport. In this regard, low-floor buses and trams in the Rheinbahn should provide travellers visiting Düsseldorf with the best mobility around the city.
Trains at the Düsseldorf Central Station are the most preferred by travellers in Düsseldorf as they are more convenient, thanks to a partnership with Deutsche Bahn. The good news is that if you have booked your ticket for Düsseldorf Euro 2024 fixtures, you get train tickets at discounted rates. It applies to both local and European match ticket holders.
Moreover, ticket holders in the host city are entitled to a 36-hour pass within the city. Notably, the Travel Pass covers a wide network of interconnected rails extending beyond Düsseldorf to include Dortmund, Cologne, and Gelsenkirchen.
If you are travelling from a country another country, you should check and verify your travel documents to avoid inconveniences. Visitors from within the EU only need their ID cards, so ensure to book accommodation so you don't run into inconveniences later on. Most importantly, take note of train departure times from Düsseldorf Airport to the match venue. The trip often takes 10 minutes but could be up to 25 minutes if you are coming from the Düsseldorf Euro Fan Zone.
Düsseldorf Airport is Germany's third-largest landing destination and is considered an international air transport hub, linking 200 destinations globally. You can also take a coach or a taxi. For a comprehensive guide on mobility during the Düsseldorf Euro 2024, we recommend reading our Mekur Spiel-Arena guide.
Düsseldorf Arena accessibility for disabled fans
EURO 2024 will not only focus on fostering green energy use but also on celebrating diversity. With that in mind, our Düsseldorf Euro 2024 travelling guide also factors in fans with disabilities.
First off, you are advised to book train wheelchair spaces in advance for convenience. You can contact the Mobility Service Center in Düsseldorf to assist you with planning your movement and there is more information on the Euro 2024 official website.