In preparation for the 2024 European Championship, the iconic landmark of Berlin, the Brandenburg Gate, is being adorned with a massive lawn.
【The Epoch Times, May 27, 2024】The 2024 UEFA European Championship football tournament is about to kick off, and as the host nation, Germany has long been preparing for this grand event with great enthusiasm. This year, a total of 10 cities from 7 federal states have been selected as venues for the tournament. The opening match will take place on June 14th at the Allianz Arena in Munich, with the final scheduled for July 14th at the Olympic Stadium in the capital city of Berlin, Germany.
In preparation for the European Championship, Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate has undergone a major transformation over the past two days. A 24,000-square-meter artificial turf has been laid along the June 17th Avenue, extending from the Victory Column towards the city center, turning the entire Berlin landmark into an oversized football pitch. Iris Spranger from the German Federal Council of the Interior Affairs said, “The Brandenburg Gate, with its 63-meter width and 21-meter height, is now the world’s largest football goal!”
Additionally, a massive screen will be installed in front of the Brandenburg Gate, allowing fans to watch the games together on this oversized “pitch.” A large area has also been set up on the lawn in front of the German Parliament building, equipped with giant screens for broadcasting all 51 matches of the European Championship.
Spranger stated, “We have invested 83.7 million euros in this.” However, the investment seems worthwhile, as Berlin is expected to generate at least 600 million euros in revenue during the European Championship period. It is estimated that there will be 3 million visitors specifically coming to watch the matches, with 1,400 volunteers providing assistance to fans and guests at the venue.
The celebration will kick off with an opening performance two days before the opening match. On June 12th, Spanish singer Álvaro Soler and German rapper Luciano will energize the entire European continent in their own style.
It is reported that all 36 matches of the European Championship group stage have been sold out. As the host nation, Germany automatically qualifies for Group A. Since 1972, Germany has qualified for every edition of the European Championship and has won the tournament in 1972, 1980, and 1996.