Euro 2020, a tournament delayed a year due to the pandemic, promises an electrifying month-long football festival, but with a twist. Instead of a single host nation, the competition will take place across 11 cities in 11 countries. This unique format, coupled with the fatigue of a grueling club football season, sets the stage for an unpredictable tournament where the last team standing might not necessarily be the best. So, buckle up, football enthusiasts, as we delve into the intricate details of this year’s Euro 2020.
Euro 2020 Schedule: A Journey Through the Tournament
The 16th edition of the European championship follows a familiar structure: a group stage where teams battle for points in three matches followed by an intense knockout round culminating in the Euro 2020 final.
The group stage sets the stage, kicking off on Friday, June 11 and concluding on Wednesday, June 23. This stage will witness 24 teams in action, fighting for supremacy in a total of 36 matches.
The knockout rounds begin on Sunday, June 27 with the Euro 2020 round of 16, culminating with the finalists emerging from the Euro 2020 quarter-finals on Friday, July 2 and Saturday, July 3.
The Euro 2020 semi-finals will be played on Tuesday, July 6 and Wednesday, July 7, leading to the grand finale – the Euro 2020 final scheduled for Sunday, July 11 at the iconic Wembley Stadium in London.
Euro 2020 Groups: The Battle Royale Begins
The 24 teams hoping to lift the coveted Euro 2020 trophy have been divided into six groups, each a microcosm of fierce competition. Let’s take a closer look at the groups:
Euro 2020 Group A: Italy, Switzerland, Turkey, and Wales
Euro 2020 Group B: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, and Russia
Euro 2020 Group C: Austria, Netherlands, North Macedonia, and Ukraine
Euro 2020 Group D: Croatia, Czech Republic, England, and Scotland
Euro 2020 Group E: Poland, Slovakia, Spain, and Sweden
Euro 2020 Group F: France, Germany, Hungary, and Portugal
Euro 2020 Venues: Unveiling the Stages of Glory
The tournament will take place across 11 cities in 11 countries, showcasing the continent’s footballing prowess.
While originally 13 stadiums were designated to host Euro 2020, several changes due to the pandemic have reshaped the lineup: Dublin’s Aviva Stadium dropped out, Spain switched from Bilbao to Seville, and Brussels was removed due to construction delays.
Here are the 11 venues that will play host to the Euro 2020 action:
- Olympic Stadium in Baku, Azerbaijan
- Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, Denmark
- Wembley Stadium in London, England
- Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany
- Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary
- Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy
- Amsterdam Arena in Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Arena Național in Bucharest, Romania
- Krestovsky Stadium in Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland
- La Cartuja in Seville, Spain
Each venue will host group stage matches and at least one round of the knockout stage. The knockout rounds will see action in Amsterdam, Bucharest, Budapest, Copenhagen, Glasgow, London, and Seville. The quarter-finals will be played in Baku, Munich, Rome, and Saint Petersburg. The semi-finals will take place in London, and the final will be held at Wembley Stadium in London.
How to Watch Euro 2020: Your Guide to the Action
For those eagerly awaiting the Euro 2020 spectacle, accessing the matches is paramount.
In India, SonyLIV holds exclusive streaming rights to the tournament. This means you can watch every match, from the group stages to the final, on the SonyLIV platform. Sony Pictures Networks is responsible for broadcasting Euro 2020 in all of South Asia, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
SonyLIV subscriptions in India cost Rs. 299 per month, Rs. 699 for six months, and Rs. 999 per year. In Pakistan, the cost is PKR 170 per month or PKR 1,700 per year for SonyLIV Premium. Sri Lanka offers it at LKR 199 per month or LKR 1,999 per year, while Bangladesh charges BDT 99 per month or BDT 899 per year. In Afghanistan, the cost is 99 cents per month or $9.99 per year. Those opting for TV viewing can catch the Euro 2020 action on Sony Six in India and other South Asian regions where it is available.
In the United States, ESPN+ is your passport to the Euro 2020 experience. You can subscribe to ESPN+ for $6 standalone, or as part of a $14 bundle with Disney+ and Hulu.
On TV, 39 matches will be hosted on ESPN, another seven on ESPN2, and five on ABC. For Spanish-speaking audiences, Univision will broadcast the matches.
In Canada, TSN.ca and CTV.ca offer online streaming for Euro 2020. Their respective channels will also broadcast all the matches on TV.
While CTV is free with an account, TSN requires a functional cable subscription. Alternatively, you can subscribe to TSN for CAD 20 per month or CAD 60 for a discounted six-month pass.
For football fans in the UK, BBC iPlayer and ITV Hub are the go-to platforms offering Euro 2020 coverage, both free with an existing TV licence. TV viewers can tune into BBC or ITV depending on the match schedule.
Down under in Australia, Optus Sport holds exclusive broadcasting rights to the tournament, with live streaming available for every match. A subscription to Optus Sport costs AUD 15 per month or AUD 99 for the year.
In Singapore, LiveNow is the place to catch Euro 2020 coverage. The online-only platform has secured the rights to the European championship. You will need an SGD 98 Euro 2020 Tournament Pass to access the action.
If you can’t find your country mentioned here, you can consult the UEFA website for a complete list of Euro 2020 broadcasters.
As we inch closer to the kickoff of the Euro 2020 tournament, the anticipation builds, and the promises of exciting football clashes and unpredictable outcomes add to the allure of this unique competition. Now, more than ever, the footballing world is captivated, waiting to witness the spectacle unfold under the banner of Euro 2020.
