COLOGNE
STADIUM
The Cologne Stadium is one of the dedicated venues for the 2024 European Championships with no fewer than five games taking place at the venue otherwise known as the RheinEnergieStadion. Below, we explore everything you need to know about the stadium, its history, the games that will take place there this summer, travel guidelines and more.
History of Cologne Stadium
This current version of the Cologne Stadium for Euro 2024 is the third iteration.
A massive crowd of 300,000 turned up to the opening of the first Müngersdorfer Stadion on 16th September 1923. It was titled the ‘mother of German stadiums’ despite only seating 3,000 people (the total capacity was 80,000).
Events were regularly held at the venue, including a 2-2 draw between Germany and Holland in 1927.
The ravages of time took hold and, after falling into disrepair, FC Köln opted to entirely demolish the stadium in the early 1970s with a view to rebuilding it and establishing the first fully covered stadium in the country.
It opened on 12th November 1975 with a capacity of 61,188 and it was selected as a playing venue for the Euro 1988 tournament, hosting two group games.
The venue was rebuilt for a third time ahead of the 2006 World Cup and it now boasts a retractable roof, state-of-the-art drainage system and panoramic views of the Cologne skyline.
What Games will be played at Cologne Stadium?
There are five matches to look forward to at the RheinEnergieStadion this summer – four group stage games and one knockout match.
Here’s the breakdown:
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Hungary vs Switzerland (Group A, 15th June)
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Scotland vs Switzerland (Group A, 19th June)
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Belgium vs Romania (Group E, 22nd June)
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England vs Slovenia (Group C, 25th June)
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Winners of Group B vs 3rd Place in Group A/D/E/F (Round of 16, 30th June)
There are a few standout fixtures that whet the appetite.
Scotland vs Switzerland: Scotland have a puncher’s chance of coming out of Group A – but if they are to advance they will need to win their match against Switzerland. The Dark Blues won five games in a row in European Championship qualifying between March and September last year but, after their win against Cyprus, they went on a run of five defeats and two draws. Two pre-tournament friendlies against Gibraltar and Finland are unlikely to offer much insight for manager Steve Clarke and fans, so it will be fascinating to see how they get on against a Swiss side with some experienced international players in the ranks.
England vs Slovenia: England could be home and hosed out of Group C by the time this match takes place but the Three Lions have typically found Slovenia a tough nut to crack in recent years. The last time they faced one another was back in 2017, when it required a 90th-minute Harry Kane winner to secure victory. Don’t bet against another Kane winner seven years later, especially if Gareth Southgate’s charges need the points.
Location of Cologne Stadium
The Cologne Stadium is located at Aachener Str. 999, 50933 in Köln. Here are some ways to get there:
By Road Getting there is simple. For those driving, you can take the A1, A3, or A4 towards Cologne before taking either A57 or L124 for the city centre. It's then advisable to use park-and-ride locations within the city to complete your journey.
By Public Transport Travelling across Europe by train? Cologne Central Station (Köln Hauptbahnhof) connects to Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Basel and Vienna and boasts direct connections to all other host cities at the tournament.
Already in the city? Your best bet is to get a 36-hour travel pass, which comes as a complimentary pass for match ticket holders. A free ferry passenger service between the old town and Cologne Deutz will also be available while the intra-city U-Bahn services, which run until 01:00, are another way to get to and from the stadium.
Capacity of Cologne Stadium
Regulations forbid the use of terracing in stadiums during international matches, which reduces the Cologne Stadium capacity from approximately 50,000 to 45,965.
