The 2024 UEFA Women’s Euro, set to be hosted in Switzerland, will be a tournament of contrasts, marked by a commitment to natural grass pitches amidst existing synthetic surfaces, a clash with a major men’s football event, and a concerted effort to maximize viewership and accessibility. Two of the host stadiums, the Stadion Wankdorf in Bern and the Stockhorn Arena in Thun, currently feature artificial turf. However, in a move echoing the concerns raised during the 2015 Women’s World Cup, temporary natural grass pitches will be overlaid at both venues specifically for the tournament. This decision underscores a growing awareness of player safety and preference for natural grass, particularly in light of past controversies surrounding artificial turf and women’s football. The temporary nature of these surfaces, however, has influenced match allocation, with concerns about pitch quality limiting the number of games played at the Wankdorf.
The Stadion Wankdorf, steeped in football history as the venue for the 1954 men’s World Cup final, will undergo a significant transformation for the Women’s Euro. While the city of Bern aspired to host the final once again, the logistical challenges of installing and maintaining a temporary grass pitch capable of withstanding multiple high-stakes matches led to the final being awarded to St. Jakob-Park in Basel. The Wankdorf’s temporary pitch is deemed suitable for a maximum of four games, reflecting the limitations of such a setup. This highlights the complex interplay between stadium infrastructure, tournament logistics, and the pursuit of optimal playing conditions for elite-level competition. The precedent of a similar temporary grass installation during Euro 2008, also at the Wankdorf, further informs this decision.
The 2024 Women’s Euro faces a significant challenge in the form of scheduling overlap with the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup, taking place in the United States. This concurrence presents a potential obstacle to maximizing global viewership for the Women’s Euro, as media attention may be divided. Despite this, UEFA aims to surpass the 374 million viewers who tuned into the 2022 tournament in England, setting an ambitious target of over 500 million viewers globally. This reflects the growing prominence of women’s football and the organization’s commitment to expanding its reach. Strategies to achieve this ambitious goal include optimized kick-off times for European markets and initiatives to enhance accessibility for fans.
UEFA has implemented several measures to enhance accessibility and fan engagement throughout the tournament. A notable initiative is the provision of free public transport for ticket holders within Switzerland. This comprehensive travel scheme, funded in part by the Swiss government, aims to streamline travel logistics and encourage fan attendance. Furthermore, all matches have been scheduled for either 6 pm or 9 pm Central European Time, maximizing exposure during prime viewing hours in key European television markets. This strategic scheduling reflects a commitment to catering to both live and broadcast audiences, further underscoring the effort to reach the 500 million viewership target.
The draw for the 2024 UEFA Women’s Euro, a crucial event in the tournament’s build-up, will be held at the Swiss Convention Center in Lausanne. Hosted by former England international Ian Wright, a prominent advocate for women’s football, and Swiss journalist Annette Fetscherin, the draw will determine the group stage matchups for the sixteen participating nations. This includes first-time qualifiers Poland and Wales, adding to the excitement and anticipation surrounding the tournament. The inclusion of football legends, both male and female, in the draw ceremony further emphasizes the significance of the event and the growing stature of women’s football.
The 2024 UEFA Women’s Euro promises to be a significant milestone in the development of women’s football. The commitment to natural grass pitches, despite the logistical challenges, reflects a prioritization of player well-being and a response to past criticisms. The scheduling clash with the FIFA Club World Cup presents a hurdle to achieving ambitious viewership targets, but UEFA’s proactive measures to enhance accessibility and optimize broadcast times demonstrate a commitment to expanding the tournament’s global reach. The draw ceremony, featuring prominent figures from the football world, serves as a fitting precursor to a tournament poised to capture the attention of fans worldwide.
