We sat down with our Hospitality & Events Executive, Tom Razzell, who flew out to Germany this summer to experience the Euro 2024 tournament. From electric fan parks to vibrant food and culture, Tom gives us the lowdown on his experience at one of the world’s most popular football tournaments.

Hi Tom, you recently travelled out to Germany for Euro 2024, how was your overall experience attending the tournament?

Hello! Yes, I did, and it was absolutely incredible, from the buzzing and colourful stadiums and fan parks to the vibrant culture and delicious German delicacy, the whole experience was one to remember and would definitely recommend it to anyone thinking of going.

Tell us about where you stayed and the atmosphere in Germany during the Euros?

We spent five days in Germany, visiting Cologne and Düsseldorf. The atmosphere was brilliant both in the stadiums and around the cities. All fans from across Europe seemed to be really enjoying themselves and loved being together with each other, something we haven’t properly seen on the international level since Covid.

The electrifying energy of the crowd during match days was unforgettable. This was particularly evident when my group and I visited Düsseldorf for the Albania vs. Spain match. The passion of the Albanian fans as they marched through the city streets and the buzzing atmosphere throughout the city was almost tangible.

Did you visit any of the Fan Zones while you were there, what were they like?

After attending previous fan zones at other sports events, we had to check them out for the Euros! So in both the cities we visited, we checked out the fan zones and they were both incredibly lively and full of activities for fans to enjoy. It’s hard to describe how lively these places really were, each day felt like a full-on festival, with enthusiastic fans gathering to celebrate their shared love for the beautiful game.

I’d have to say our favourite was the Burgplatz Fan Zone in Düsseldorf, located in the heart of the city. The live music element was world class and brought a different angle to the experience as well, we loved the vibes the music brought to the tournament and how it seemed to ignite the crowd and generate excitement among the fans. Live bands and DJs played a mix of music to enjoy throughout the day, creating a party-like atmosphere that brought everyone together.

Tell us more about the stadium experience, from both inside the ground and activity outside?

On the day of England vs Slovenia, the atmosphere was buzzing and there were multiple content creators and brands such as Coca-Cola engaging with fans outside the RheinEnergieStadion which added to the fan experience.

For the match itself, although the football wasn’t the best I’ve ever seen, the fans and the overall atmosphere were spectacular and kept the stadium alive. We were immediately struck by the sheer array of colours and noise inside the stadium, this really felt like a mega, national sports tournament. If you haven’t ever been to a national sports competition, you need to check the Euros out if you’re a footy fan!

Outside of the football side of things, did you get a chance to check out the local German food and culture, what were your highlights?

Yeah, we had a chance to check out the cities and in particular were awestruck by the grandeur of the Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom). Its sheer size made it visible from most parts of the city, many fans took the opportunity to climb the tower for a breathtaking panoramic view of Cologne.

In terms of the food, you simply cannot go to Germany without checking out the famous German sausages! We tucked into the local German cuisine in both Cologne and Düsseldorf, with the schnitzel and bratwurst being especially popular among our group, providing much-needed sustenance given all the walking we did!

And since we were in Germany, we made sure to try some of Germany’s renowned beers, given the country’s rich brewing heritage and diverse beer culture. Kölsch was definitely our go-to beverage throughout the trip!

Any final thoughts for anyone looking to attend the Euros next time?

Attending Euro 2024 was simply incredible. From watching top teams battle it out to enjoying live music, tasty food, and fun activities with other fans, the whole experience was brilliant. The camaraderie was amazing – fans from all over Europe celebrating together like one big family, something I feel we’ve missed on international level since Covid so was great to experience. I’d 100% recommend this event to any football lover. It’s a unique chance to dive into the heart of the sport, make awesome memories, and be part of a fantastic international party, I’ll be going to the next one for sure!