Our host city focus shines the spotlight on Dortmund ahead of EURO 2024. Borussia Dortmund's stadium, the Signal Iduna Park, is one of the best and most famous stadiums in the world.
However, if you are not familiar with the ground, this article will take a deep dive into everything you need to know and ensure you have all the knowledge of the stadium before the tournament kicks off.
Dortmund Euro 2024: What to expect
Contents
- 1 Dortmund Euro 2024: What to expect
- 2 Dortmund Euro 2024 matches so far
- 3 Key Dortmund Euro 2024 stadium facts
- 4 A Brief History of the Signal Iduna Park
- 5 How many games will Dortmund host at Euro 2024?
- 6 Rules at the Signal Iduna Park for Euro 2024
- 7 Matchday travel for Dortmund Euro 2024
- 8 Disabled facilities at Signal Iduna Park
- 9 FAQs about Dortmund Euro 2024
Dortmund Euro 2024 matches so far
The first match hosted at Signal Iduna Park was a group B clash between Italy and Albania. On the face of it, the match did not appear to have much potential from the perspective of creating dramatic moments, with Italy expected to register a routine victory.
However, an early goal from the underdogs, inside the first minute, led to some amazing celebrations in the stands.
The Italian supporters also contributed plenty to the atmosphere themselves, with the entire fanbase determined to help their country win back-to-back European Championships. After going a goal down early on, Gli Azzurri went on to secure a 2-1 victory, leaving their fans in a frenzy.
A view from a fan at the Italy vs Albania game. #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/0OIsD4MWZy
— Euro 24 Hub (@Euro24Hub) June 15, 2024
Turkey played two group stage matches in Dortmund, winning one and losing one. They beat Georgia in an end-to-end game on 18th June, before succumbing to a 3-0 defeat against Euro 2016 winners Portugal four days later.
After this, France played Poland in the final Group D match. France were held to a 1-1 draw with Poland, meaning they finished second behind underdogs Austria. Finally, the hosts Germany beat Denmark 2-0 in the first knockout round match in Dortmund.
The Netherlands will now face England at Signal Iduna Park for a chance to play in the Euro 2024 final. They will face the winner of the match between Spain and France that takes place on Tuesday evening in Munich.
Ready for another big challenge! 🦁👊#ThreeLions | @NuffieldHealth pic.twitter.com/5fdNcIjz0K
— England (@England) July 8, 2024
Key Dortmund Euro 2024 stadium facts
- Location: Dortmund, Germany
- Year Opened: 1974
- Capacity: 81,365 (66,099 for International matches)
This stadium is no stranger to hosting big international matches having hosted four matches at the 1974 FIFA World Cup. Signal Iduna Park also hosted six games at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, two of them involving Germany.
A Brief History of the Signal Iduna Park
The Signal Iduna Park was built in the early 1970s before officially opening just in time for the 1974 FIFA World Cup.
Borussia Dortmund were relegated to 2. Bundesliga in 1972 meaning Dortmund were the only member of 2. Bundesliga to be a host stadium for the 1974 FIFA World Cup. In 1976, the Signal Iduna Park hosted a Bundesliga match for the first time.
Despite being built to hold 54,000 spectators, in 1992, the capacity was reduced to 42,800 due to the stadium's rows in the North stand, lower east and lower west stands being converted into seated areas.
In 1995, the stadium was expanded back to the original 54,000 with seats added to three different sections.
At the turn of the millennium, the stadium needed to be expanded to meet FIFA regulations for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Four new stands were built to fill the corners between the existing grandstands, raising the capacity for international matches from 52,000 to 67,000.
How many games will Dortmund host at Euro 2024?
The stadium will host a total of six matches at the tournament across a variety of different stages including the final. Those fixtures are as follows (all times are local):
Group Stage
- Italy vs Albania – 15th June – 9 pm
- Turkey vs Georgia – 18th June – 6 pm
- Turkey vs Portugal – 22nd June – 6 pm
- France vs Poland – 25th June – 6 pm
Round of 16
- Germany vs Denmark – 29th June – 9 pm
Semi-final
- Netherlands vs England – 10th July – 9 pm
Rules at the Signal Iduna Park for Euro 2024
UEFA states that even if you are a regular visitor to the ground it could operate differently than usual. There are several stadium rules for the site outlined by the organisation ahead of the tournament, which are as follows:
- No bags greater than the size of A4 will be permitted within the premises
- Only power banks no larger than your phone will be allowed inside the ground
- A valid form of ID upon entry is mandatory
- No professional cameras or cane umbrellas (regular collapsable umbrellas will be permitted)
- All stadiums are no smoking zones and smoking of any kind including the use of cigarettes and e-cigarettes is strictly not allowed
Matchday travel for Dortmund Euro 2024
Sustainability is a massive goal of UEFA's at this tournament, and as such, all fans travelling in Germany on, or indeed before matchday, have been urged to opt for public transport over other methods such as driving. Please note there will be no parking available around the stadium on matchdays.
Thankfully, any supporters with a ticket for a match taking place at the Signal Iduna Park are granted a 36-hour travel pass at no additional cost for the entire VRR (Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr) network. The pass is activated from 6 am on matchday until 6 pm the following day.
Public transport in England is notoriously unreliable, but in Germany, it is the complete opposite. An influx of fans during Euro 2024 could potentially affect its reliability, but a rough guideline for some key journey travel times within Berlin are as follows:
- Airport to the stadium – 45 minutes by public transport
- Airport to central station – 30 minutes by public transport
- Central station to Fan Zone – 10-minute walk
- Central station to the stadium – 10 minutes by public transport or 30 minutes if you are walking
Euro Fan Zones in Dortmund
Apart from the exciting matches set to be staged at the Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund, fans visiting the German city will also have an opportunity to have fun in different fan zones.
The Euro Festival in Dortmund will take place at Fan Zones such as Friedensplatz. For public viewing of Euro 2024 matches in Dortmund, we recommend visiting Westfalenkpark.
Fan Zone Friedensplatz will come alive on matchday, bringing live games at Signal Iduna Park and from other cities as they happen, so ensure to tune in on time.
Moreover, there will be live music performances, mini-tournaments and football-related activities at Friedensplatz Fan Zone to keep you entertained throughout the tournament.
For first-timers, note that Friedensplatz is located in the heart of Dortmund, one of the Euro 2024 host cities preparing for the big European tournament. It is free to enter the Fan Zone even as you get a chance to enjoy different culinary offerings from top chefs.
Westfalenpark is another Euro 2024 Fan Zone in Dortmund where you can go to and watch exciting matches at no extra cost. All the six matches set to be played at Signal Iduna Park will be screened at Westfalenpark for free, including matches that will take place across other German cities during the 2024 European Championship.
There will also be live concerts to keep you entertained on days when there are no matches. Note that there is no entry fee for visiting the Westfalenpark Fan Zone in Dortmund.
Food and beverage in Dortmund during the Euro 2024
You may have been told about the strength of German beer in Dortmund as you prepare to catch every action of the European Championship. However, that is not as far as it goes.
From traditional German delicacies to European cuisines, every matchgoer will have an opportunity to test their taste buds across different German cities during the European Championship tournament. For those who will be in Dortmund, check our Signal Iduna page for a detailed guide on where to dine and wine during the Euro 2024.
Let's also emphasize that credit/debit card payments will be the most preferred during the Euro 2024 matches, so for fans visiting Dortmund's Signal Iduna Park, ensure you have enough funds in your card to last you through the big event.
Disabled facilities at Signal Iduna Park
Several measures are taken by the Signal Iduna Park stadium to make life easier for disabled fans to visit the Signal Iduna Park. For starters, there is a healthy availability of 150 allocated parking spaces.
There is also a special entrance to the stadium. To gain access, fans must make sure that they have all the necessary documents to prove their disability.
Audio Descriptive Commentary will be available at all EURO 2024 matches, including all matches to be played at the Signal Iduna Park. The exact details of which will be released closer to the tournament.
Finally, there is also a wheelchair loan service in place at the stadium and several accessibility-dedicated volunteers can assist your needs on the day.
We hope everyone visiting Signal Iduna Park has a memorable and pleasant experience during their time in Germany.
FAQs about Dortmund Euro 2024
What are the procedures for entering Euro Fan Zones in Dortmund?
Before entering Fan Zones around Signal Iduna Park, you will be required to adhere to a body search, including a bag search at the entrance. You may also be required to provide proof of ID, so ensure to carry your national ID card.
Where else can I watch Euro 2024 matches in Dortmund if I don't make it to the stadium?
Fans who will not make it to the Signal Iduna Park on matchday during Euro 2024 matches can still be at the fan zone or use location finder to identify nearby local bars where they can join up with other fans to cheer up their favourite teams.