Following recent global events, next summer’s EUROs have been pushed back to 2021. Despite the short-term disappointment of postponement, the tournament will still be sure to be unique in several ways. Not only will it be the first European Champions to use controversial video assistant referee (VAR) technology, but it will also be the first edition held in countries across the continent rather than in one or two host nations. The tournament will be held in twelve stadiums across twelve countries, the new format being a celebration of the UEFA competition’s 60th birthday. Let’s take a look at each stadium selected to host EURO matches.
Wembley – London, England
Wembley Stadium is the largest EURO 2021 venue with a 90,000 capacity and will host the most matches of any selected stadium: the final, both semi-finals a round of 16 matches and all three of England’s group stage matches. Wembley is the home stadium of the England national team and was opened in 2007 as a replacement for the old Wembley. The ground is crowned by the 134-metre-high Wembley Arch and hosted the 2011 and 2013 Champions League finals.
Allianz Arena – Munich, Germany
Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena is the second-largest stadium selected for EURO 2021, able to hold 75,000 spectators. Opened in 2005, the Allianz has previously hosted a 2006 World Cup semi-final as well as the 2012 Champions League final. It will host a quarter-final match and three group stage games at EURO 2021. The Allianz is notable for its luminous exterior, which lights up as red or white depending on whether Bayern or Germany are playing.
Stadio Olimpico – Rome, Italy
Home of Serie A rivals Roma and Lazio, the Stadio Olimpico is one of the most storied venues in European football, having hosted four European Cup finals, the finals of the 1968 and 1980 EUROs, as well as the 1990 World Cup final. This 70,634 seater stadium has been selected to host a quarter-final and Italy’s three group matches at EURO 2021, including the opening game which will see the home side face Turkey.
Johan Cruyff Arena – Amsterdam, Netherlands
The Johan Cruyff Arena is the largest stadium in the Netherlands and will host each of the nation’s three group games in addition to a round of 16 match. Previously known as the Amsterdam Arena, this stadium was renamed in 2018 in honour of the Dutch legend. Home of Ajax, the Johan Cruyff Arena seats 54,900 and hosted five games at EURO 2000, in addition to the 1998 Champions League final and more recently, the 2013 Europa League final.
Hampden Park – Glasgow, Scotland
The oldest stadium selected for next summer’s tournament, Hampden Park was built all the way back in 1903 and serves as the home stadium for the Scotland national team and Scottish League Two side Queen’s Park. This stadium holds the European record for the largest attendance at a football match when 149,547 crammed in to watch Scotland play England in 1937, though it currently seats 51,866. It will host three EURO 2021 group games and one last 16 match.
Aviva Stadium – Dublin, Republic of Ireland
The Aviva Stadium has a capacity of 51,700 and will play host to a round of 16 tie and three group stage games next summer. It has served at the home of Ireland’s national football and rugby union teams since opening in 2010, having replaced the now-demolished Lansdowne Road Stadium. The Aviva Stadium previously hosted the 2011 Europa League final in which Porto beat fellow Portuguese side, Braga.
Baku Olympic Stadium – Baku, Azerbaijan
The controversial venue of the 2019 Europa League final, the Baku Olympic Stadium only opened in 2015 and holds 68,700. It is the Eastern-most stadium selected for EURO 2021 and will host a quarter-final and three group stage matches, including all three of Wales’ games. The stadium is the home of the Azerbaijan national team and also hosted domestic club side Qarabag’s home matches in the 18 Champions League.
Krestovsky Stadium – Saint Petersburg, Russia
Home of reigning Russian league champions Zenit St. Petersburg, the Krestovsky Stadium only opened in 2017 and boasts a retractable roof and pitch as well as a 67,800 capacity. Known as the Gazprom Arena for sponsorship reasons, this venue hosted seven matches at the 2018 World Cup, including a semi-final and England’s third-place play-off match against Belgium. It will host a quarter-final match and three group stage games at EURO 2021.
Estadio San Mamés – Bilbao, Spain
The San Mamés opened in 2013 having been built to replace the “old” San Mamés. La Liga side Athletic Bilbao play their home matches at this venue that will host three group stage matches and a last 16 fixture next summer. Able to seat 53,289 spectators, the San Mamés boasts an external lighting system similar to that of the Allianz Arena and was named Sports Building of the Year at the 2015 World Architecture Festival.
Arena Nationala – Bucharest, Romania
Selected to host a last 16 tie and three group stage matches, the Arena Nationala is Romania’s national stadium and is host to two league clubs, Steaua Bucharest and Dinamo Bucharest. Another relatively new stadium selected as a EURO 2021 venue, the Arena Nationala was opened in 2011 and holds 55,634. It previously hosted the 2012 Europa League which saw Atletico Madrid defeat Athletic Bilbao 3-0.
Puskás Aréna – Budapest, Hungary
Named after legendary forward Ferenc Puskás, this stadium is the newest on this list having only opened in 2019. Able to hold 67,215, the Puskás Aréna is the home stadium of the Hungarian national team and will host a last 16 match and three group games involving France and Portugal. The stadium’s opening match in November 2019 attracted over 65,000 spectators to watch Romania take on Uruguay.
Parken Stadium – Copenhagen, Denmark
The Parken Stadium is the smallest ground chosen for next summer’s EUROs, with a capacity of 38,065. The home ground of F.C. Copenhagen and the Denmark national football team, the Parken Stadium hosted the 1994 Cup Winners’ Cup Final and 2000 UEFA Cup Final, Premier League side Arsenal winning the first but losing the second. It will host all three of Denmark’s group stage games in addition to a round of 16 match.