Overview of the EURO 2024 Opening Ceremony

The EURO 2024 opening ceremony took place in the early morning of June 15th (Vietnam time), before the opening match between Germany and Scotland in Group A. The main part of the program included the introduction of the 24 participating teams and musical performances.

A special feature of the EURO 2024 opening ceremony is the organizers' decision to hold a tribute to the legendary Franz Beckenbauer. Bernard Dietz and Jurgen Klinsmann – captains of the German team that won Euro 1980 and 1996 – along with Mrs. Beckenbauer, will carry the Henri Delaunay trophy onto the field.

After the artistic performances concluded, Bernard Dietz and Jurgen Klinsmann – captains of the German team that won EURO 1980 and 1996 – along with the wife of "Emperor" Franz Beckenbauer, carried the Henri Delaunay trophy onto the stadium. Following this, the organizers and over 70,000 fans present at the Munich Football Arena took time to pay tribute to the legendary Franz Beckenbauer, who passed away in early 2024.

The artistic performances concluded with the unveiling of a large-scale model of the EURO trophy. The EURO 2024 opening ceremony lasted only 10 minutes and lacked the spectacular fireworks displays that had been anticipated. True to their promise of a surprise opening, host nation Germany surprised many with a simple yet meaningful ceremony.

According to Sky Sports, traffic in Munich (Germany) was in complete chaos ahead of the Euro 2024 opening ceremony and the opening match between Germany and Scotland. Long queues were forming at Entrance 1 of the Allianz Arena.

Security for the opening ceremony in particular, and EURO 2024 as a whole, is a top priority. Host nation Germany is not only determined to prevent violence inside and outside stadiums, on the streets, and in public places, but is also focusing on combating terrorism, violence, and cyberattacks.

The opening ceremony of EURO 2024 was spectacular, full of surprises, and packed into a short period of time.