Germany’s economy netted about €7.44 billion from hosting the European Football Championship, EURO 2024, according to calculations by market research firm Nielsen.
The championship, held from 14 June to 14 July in 10 German cities, attracted 1.7 million ticket holders, nearly half of them coming from overseas.
About 2.5% came from Belgium.
Hosted by UEFA, the tournament saw Belgium knocked out in the last sixteen, while the trophy went to Spain.
A massive €2.1 billion in direct expenditure was poured into the German economy by the organisers, invitees and fan zone attendees. Ticket holders alone spent over €290 million on accommodation and almost €207 million on food and drink, both inside and outside the stadiums. About €111 million was spent on travel.
Fan zones contributed about €234 million. People watching matches in bars or at home accounted for nearly €200 million in additional expenditure.
Hosting the championship cost UEFA and the host cities around €650 million.
Nielsen calculated the games’ indirect economic impact at €4.7 billion. The event also generated an estimated €571 million in advertising value, both in traditional and online media, for Germany and the host cities.
Bernd Neuendorf, chair of the German Football Association, described the championship as not only a sporting achievement, but also an “economic and social success.”
According to Germany’s Interior Minister, Nancy Faeser, the games' total economic impact of €7.44 billion certainly exceeded expectations.
