Ranking the 2024 Euro Stadiums

Our key findings

• Olympiastadion (Berlin) took the top spot for overall experience, receiving a score of 73/100
• Red Bull Arena (Leipzig) received the best score for the most affordable food and drink
• Allianz Arena (Munich) secured the best score in our suggested safety index
• Veltins-Arena (Gelsenkirchen) has the most parking spaces available of all the host stadiums
• Visitors to Stuttgart Arena (Stuttgart) will pay the cheapest costs for public transport
• Only four of the ten host stadiums accept cash for kiosk purchases

Stadiums across Germany are preparing to host the world's most elite football players and their passionate supporters ahead of the 2024 UEFA European Championship.

It’s an excellent opportunity for the athletes to show off their skills, but it also offers a unique chance for host cities to shine on the global stage. The tournament is a chance to reinvigorate economies and boost local businesses, with thousands of fans attending the games and watching from home. It’s estimated that from the UK alone, half a million people will be heading across the continent to witness the spectacle in person.

We wanted to see how they measure up in offering stellar experiences, so we analysed the ten host stadiums across a number of factors from accessibility to safety. Our comprehensive index reveals which stadiums may be setting the standards and which may have room to improve.

How we ranked the host stadiums

A memorable football match means something different to everyone, so we knew we had to be as methodical and factually correct as possible to avoid causing mass upset. To curate our final standings, we conducted extensive research across ten categories relevant to fan experience:

Capacity – The number of fans that the stadium holds
Parking spaces – The number of available spaces in the stadium car parks
The cost of the parking – The cost of parking at the stadium
Accessibility – Accessibility features that the stadium offers
Proximity to ATMs – Distance to the closest off-site ATM (excluding those within each stadium)
The average cost of food and drink – The affordability of food and refreshments at the stadium kiosks
Distance from public transport – How far the stadium is from the nearest public transport link
The average cost of public transport – The cost of public transport
Available payment options – The variety of payment methods available
Safety – How secure the environment is for fans

Next, we created a ranking scale so we could measure how the arenas performed in each category. We then totalled each stadium’s category ratings to reveal their overall experience scores.

Ranking the Euro 2024 host stadiums

1. Olympiastadion (Berlin)

Team: German national team

Capacity: 74,245

Opened: 1936

Experience score: 73/100

With an impressive overall score of 73/100, we found the Olympiastadion stadium the best host stadium for experience. It has the second-highest capacity, is within close proximity to the nearest off-site ATM, and is one of only four stadiums on our list that still accepts cash. While there are few parking spaces available, it’s within a minute’s walk to the nearest public transport link, making it easily accessible for those travelling near and far.

Nestled in the Olympiapark sports complex in Berlin, the stadium was initially built to host the 1936 Summer Olympic Games. It has since been renovated in 2004, giving its facilities a contemporary upgrade fit for modern-day sporting events.

The Olympiastadion has already hosted previous FIFA World Cup, Women’s World Cup, and UEFA Champions League Final matches, making it a natural choice for this year’s Euro 2024 final.

2. BVB Stadion Dortmund (Dortmund)

Team: Borussia Dortmund

Capacity: 81,365

Opened: 1974

Experience score: 69/100

The second-highest scoring host stadium for experience is BVB Stadion Dortmund, considered one of Germany's most recognisable sporting venues – and even Europe.

Also known as Signal Iduna Park, it holds the record for the country’s largest stadium, and its striking architecture and immense capacity solidify it as a bucket-list venue for many football lovers. The iconic south stand, nicknamed ‘The Yellow Wall’, creates a spine-tingling atmosphere when filled with fans. While fans love the Yellow Wall for being the largest free-standing grandstand in any European stadium, seating will be enforced for Euro 2024.

For the thousands of enthusiasts flocking to BVB Stadion for the six matches in this year’s Euro tournament, fans will have a generous 10,000 parking spaces to make the most of and close public transport links. If enjoying the venue’s food and drink, visitors can pay via cash, with the nearest off-site ATM being a short two-minute walk away.

Alternatively, they can use the Stadiondeckel – the stadium’s own payment card that can be topped up via the BVB app or online to pay for amenities. The BVB Stadion’s variety of accepted payment methods put it in good standing on our list, given that a wider range of options can lead to an increase in customer experience and conversions.

3.Veltins-Arena (Gelsenkirchen)

Team: FC Schalke 04

Capacity: 62,271

Opened: 2001

Experience score: 69/100

Coming in a close third is the Veltins-Arena, or Arena AufSchalke, in Gelsenkirchen. It may be a surprising entry so high on our list as Gelsenkirchen is the smallest host city for Euro 2024, but its sporting spirit is possibly its biggest attraction.

It’s a slightly newer stadium compared to others on our list, opening its doors for the first time in 2001, and has since been host to several Champions League Finals and World Cup games.

The Veltins-Arena has a retractable roof, giving the option to turn the venue into an open or covered affair – which wins big points for fans visiting in poor weather conditions.

For those heading to the arena this summer, it’s worth noting that the Veltins-Arena no longer accepts cash payments at any kiosk. Similar to Dortmund’s stadium, the Arena AufSchalke uses its own Knappe payment card for all transactions.

4. Stuttgart Arena (Stuttgart)

Team: VfB Stuttgart

Capacity: 54,272

Opened: 1933

Experience score: 65/100

Stuttgart Arena, currently known as the MHPArena, is the oldest stadium on our list, but it has undergone gradual refurbishment over the last century. The most recent rebuild was completed in 2011, giving the venue an upgraded capacity of 60,058 for home games and 55,000 during international competitions due to UEFA regulations calling for seating-only venues.

As part of its extensive revamp, the Stuttgart Arena features exceptionally modern facilities, such as new team dressing rooms, a hi-tech media centre, and a completely redesigned business area. One standout feature of the newly-updated business area is the ‘Tunnel Club’: a series of fully glazed rooms where guests can see the players make their way from the dressing room to the pitch. The contemporary stadium also uses energy-efficient LED lighting to power its new floodlight system.

The location has 12,000 parking spaces and ranks top for cheapest public transport costs. Stuttgart Arena is entirely cashless, so don’t forget to bring an alternative payment method. The arena also ranked third-highest on our list for safety.

5. Merkur Spiel-Arena (Dusseldorf)

Team: Fortuna Düsseldorf

Capacity: 54,600

Opened: 2004

Experience score: 61/100

Next on our list is the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Düsseldorf, a bustling and vibrant city that attracts thousands of tourists every year due to its local culture, cuisine, and, of course, football history.

It sits on the site of the former Rheinstadion, which held sporting events from 1925 before being demolished in 2002 to make way for the state-of-the-art Merkur Spiel-Arena. The newly constructed replacement features modern facilities and infrastructure, like a retractable roof and heating systems, for an ultra-comfortable experience.

The stadium has limited parking but is a short five-minute walk from the nearest public transport stop. It’s one of the four stadiums on our list that take cash and cashless payments, but one of its best features is its excellent safety score, which ranked second-highest on our shortlist.

While these were the top five host stadiums for an overall experience score, there were also some other worthy mentions:

• The Red Bull Arena (Leipzig) topped our charts for the most affordable food and drink options but be aware that only cashless payment methods – such as debit and credit cards and mobile payments – are accepted on the grounds. We’ve also knocked off points from the arena’s overall experience score because despite being one of Germany's largest sports complexes, the Red Bull Arena offers no on-site parking. The nearest public transport links are a short 10-minute walk away.
• The Allianz Arena (Munich) secured the best safety score when considering security and crime rates. It’s also another cashless stadium, taking payments for refreshments through card, contactless, and chip and PIN.
• The Frankfurt Arena, or Deutsche Bank Park, rounded off our list in the final position, achieving an overall experience score of only 48/100. The stadium has undergone several renovations since its opening in 1925 and has seen many historic sporting events within its walls. From hosting the first Bundesliga game in 1963 to boxing and track cycling championships, it’s become a notable venue for major sporting contests. Despite its accolades, the stadium scored poorly for the price of food and drink and is one of the furthest from the closest public transport stop.

How the Euro 2024 stadiums compare against each other

We’ve compiled our findings into the table below so you can see how the host stadiums measure up against each other for our ten categories.

How small businesses can prepare for the Euros

The 2020 Euros was broadcast to 229 territories and pulled in a cumulative live match audience of 5.2 billion viewers. Fans won’t have to travel far to catch the action; from local pubs and trendy bars to beer gardens, there are plenty of options.

In short, it’s a huge opportunity for businesses in the hospitality sector. Here’s how you could boost your profits and customer satisfaction during this busy period, featuring insights from Jodie Wilkinson, Head of Partnerships, here at takepayments.

1. Enhance your customer experience

Creating a winning customer experience is key to scoring big this summer and making your venue the go-to spot for watching the games.

DesignMyNight conducted a survey ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which revealed that 51% of consumers value atmosphere most when choosing where to watch football. Plus, factors like screen size and the location of TVs also play a significant role in attracting patrons.

Jodie Wilkinson suggests: "To make your business more enticing, tailor your venue to meet these customer expectations. It’s about more than just broadcasting the match — create a welcoming and memorable atmosphere and ensure every seat in the house has a good view and feels part of the action. The Euros is a better time than any to add any tech upgrades to your business: think bigger screens with higher definition."

“Don’t forget to brush up on your licences too. If you’re going to be broadcasting live games from a venue in the UK, check that your TV licence hasn’t expired. Most showings in commercial spaces won't need an additional public screening licence from UEFA, but if you’re anticipating a crowd of more than 300 people or will be charging an entry fee, you may need to request one.”

2. Offer plenty of payment options

Once you’ve got them through the door, it’s all about keeping them happy and entertained – which can be easy if you can keep the food and drink flowing without interrupting their viewing experience.

Offering plenty of quick and easy payment options can hugely enhance customer convenience. Our data shows that contactless payments are by far the most preferred method due to their speed and ease of use, so if you’re not already set up to accept them, you could be missing out big time.

"By accepting the most common payment methods, you cater to more preferences and streamline the payment process, making it as frictionless as possible," advises Jodie. “This can improve the efficiency of transactions and help manage more customers during peak times.”

“The Euros could be a great opportunity to upgrade your old tech to newer, faster, and more efficient models,” explains Jodie. “Our takepaymentsplus model can accept cash and card payments for better convenience, gives you detailed transaction reporting so you can see how business is going throughout the day, and lets you manage products and pricing straight from the device.”

“Plus, integrating payment technologies like QR codes for ordering and pay-at-table functionality can also be a game changer for managing an influx of orders without slowing down service. They’ll also help take the pressure off your front-of-house staff too. But remember that busy service hours are the ideal conditions for fraudsters, especially seeing that 53% of UK consumers have trouble spotting a malicious QR code. Be extra vigilant against QR code scams and make sure your team is properly trained to handle the issue should it happen.”

3. Train your team for success

A well-prepared team can be the make or break between failure and success – on and off the pitch.

“At such a big event like the Euros, spending the time to level up your team members can be a worthy investment. Giving them a refresher on how to handle all the payment methods you offer, managing high customer flow, and maintaining excellent service means they’re ready for the occasion," says Jodie.

“It could be useful to review how your business handled major sporting events in the past, like the last Euros or World Cup. If you struggled to keep up with demand, it could be a sign to hire extra staff ahead of the tournament this year.”

Our methodology

This study was undertaken on behalf of takepayments by Bring Digital. They used various reliable sources, including stadium websites, Google Maps, and Numbeo, to gather their initial data. After sourcing the information for all ten categories, we applied our own categorisation and ranking matrix to determine each stadium's overall experience score.

Score big this summer with takepayments

Get your payment systems ready for kick-off with takepayments. Whether you want to take your card terminal to the next level with our market-leading takepaymentsplus machine, or you need an all-in-one point-of-sale system that does it all – we can help.

Or you can also discover more of our insights below:

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Tipping in the UK: Consumer Attitudes Survey
Consumers’ Most Preferred Ways to Pay