Unforgettable European football and safe travels: Your guide to traveling safe in Germany for Europe's largest football event

May 22, 2024

While Americans refer to it as soccer, Europeans call it football, and they are gearing up for the largest football tournament in Europe that unites entire nations, turning their eyes to a single host country. This year, that host country is Germany, making it an ideal time to combine a European vacation with a world-class sporting event — Europe’s largest football event for 2024. For fans, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience German culture and sights in a completely different and immersive way. And as always, make sure to be prepared and pack your travel insurance plan for just-in-case and last-minute itinerary changes.

When this top-level football tournament was first held in 1960, it was estimated that total attendance to the tournament was just under 79,000. This year, Berlin, the city hosting the 2024 final, is expected to attract 2.5 million people¹ — meaning careful planning is essential, no matter what cities you choose as destinations. Ten cities are hosting this year’s tournament matches, and the list reads like a dream itinerary: In addition to Berlin, it includes Cologne, Dortmund, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Gelsenkirchen, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich and Stuttgart. If you’re considering attending this year’s competition, check out our information about Germany travel, security tips, and ways Euro travel insurance can protect your travel group. 

Planning your trip

If you have a country you are rooting for, or a particular match you want to attend, get your tickets as soon as possible. Many tickets have been claimed through early phases of sales, but additional tickets become available at different stages, or keep an eye open for resale opportunities.

Even if you do not have tickets to a particular match, just being in one of Germany’s host cities during this time is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The sheer excitement of being in a city where a match is being hosted is reason enough to join the fun. For travelers from the U.S., it’s a great destination since English is commonly spoken, even though German is the official language.

Sporting events often have multiple matches scheduled throughout the tournament. Make sure to check the event schedule in advance and plan your itinerary accordingly. This will allow you to be in cities for the matches you're most interested in and avoid any scheduling conflicts. Make flight and accommodation reservations as soon as possible to ensure availability and so that everyone in your group can coordinate plans to sync with each other.

Next, research the city or cities that you will be visiting. Each of the cities that are hosting matches for this year’s tournament have their own local character and cultural attractions, adding to the unique experience. You can familiarize yourself with street and transportation system maps ahead of time, making it easier to navigate alternate routes if needed due to crowds or other issues. Above all, embrace this opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture. Plan to try the local cuisine, explore the city's landmarks, and engage with the community.

For more information, view our travel infographic. 

Good-to-know information for Germany during tournament time

Fan zones, called fan miles or public viewing in Germany, are areas that are not limited to people who have match tickets, and allow visitors to enjoy entertainment, activities and refreshments while watching the tournament on mega-sized screens. The experience of being in a huge crowd during these events is beyond comparison and is why many travelers spend multiple days in tournament host countries even if they only have tickets to one or two matches. Each host city will have different setups and locations for their fan miles, so research your destinations’ local transportation system, popular attractions and nearby amenities as well as public viewing areas.

One factor to keep in mind: If you are planning on utilizing Germany’s extensive public transportation system, be aware that strikes are a frequent event, and can affect both intra-city buses and trains as well as airport traffic. Strikes are frequently called with little prior notice, so travelers should keep abreast of announcements ahead of and during trips. Another factor that will definitely affect travel: The huge influx of fans traveling to the fan miles, arenas and stadiums.

Other traveler tips:

• A gratuity of 15 percent is added to the customer's bill. However, Germans typically leave additional change or smaller bills for exceptional service.
• Stores are typically closed on Sundays, although exceptions might be made during match days.
• The U.S. sign for "OK" (index finger forming a circle with the thumb) has a different and offensive meaning in Germany should be avoided.
• There are informal restrictions on entering some restaurants and nightclubs while wearing athletic shoes.

Your safety checklist

Know the emergency numbers. If you need emergency help, 112 connects you to fire and ambulance services. The police are available at 110. Be sure to maintain internet access on a smartphone during your visit so that you can monitor news and event updates in case you need to adapt your plans on the fly.

Traveling with a group? Be sure to clearly sync your plans every morning with everyone you’re traveling with, and have a backup plan such as mobile apps like WhatsApp in case mobile phone networks get overwhelmed. Knowing where and when you’ll meet in case you get separated is key, especially when public transportation can be unpredictable. In addition, the sheer excitement and activity level of major sporting events can result in individuals from your group getting separated or losing track of time.

Be aware of summer heat. Keep a water bottle with you at all times to ensure hydration, and find shade to rest when you can. Sunblock and protective headwear is always a must during this time of year, but especially in crowd situations where drinking water, bathrooms and air conditioning will need to accommodate the needs of thousands of people.

Minimize your risk. As with any travel to large cities, opportunistic, petty theft such as pickpocketing and purse snatching can occur in crowded areas and tourist destinations. Avoid wearing/carrying high-value items, and never leave valuables unattended.

Above all, plan ahead and enjoy the trip

Germany is known to have one of the best health care systems in the world. If you have a health emergency or are injured while in one of the host cities, a hospital is your primary destination for a major health event, while you can seek out a General Practitioner for a less-urgent health need. Travel insurance plans such as the SafeTrip International Travel Medical gives you access to a 24/7 Emergency Response Center that can help you find a quality care provider, quickly and safely.

Most medical providers accept cash or card for services and medications purchased at hospitals, doctors' offices, and pharmacies. And of course, if you have travel insurance plan that includes health care assistance such as SafeTrip, you will have help in navigating payment in case of an urgent care need.

From inconveniences like a transportation delay to more crucial challenges such as a health event, having a plan in case of complications is essential. SafeTrip International Medical Plus means that you’re covered on several fronts, whether you want to recoup a non-refundable transport ticket or need specialized care from a local health provider. Coverage add-ons give you more flexibility in enjoying your trip, such as SafeTrip Rental Car Damage which helps you confidently drive yourself as you explore Germany’s host cities — and the beautiful spaces in between — on your own schedule.

Sources:

1: https://www.uefa.com/euro2024/event-guide/berlin/