Leipzig to host UEFA EURO 2024 international broadcast centre

UEFA has selected the Leipziger Messe as the location for the UEFA EURO 2024 international broadcast centre (IBC). European football’s governing body announced its decision in the last few days. As the main work hub for all EURO 2024 media partners during the tournament, the IBC will serve as the gateway to Germany for all media professionals and the central pillar for all EURO 2024 broadcast operations. In summer 2019, a transparent and open tender procedure was launched, at the end of which Leipzig was chosen as the most suitable of the five applicants. The German Football Association (DFB) assisted UEFA with the selection process.

At a press conference held at the Leipziger Messe itself, Martin Kallen, CEO of UEFA Events SA, said: “Leipzig offers outstanding facilities and the Messe is an attractive, modern venue. The IBC will play a crucial role in ensuring that images of UEFA EURO 2024 are seen throughout the world. And that’s why we are delighted to be able to announce the decision today in such a key location. We are grateful to the DFB and our host city partners for an excellent tender procedure, which will now form the basis for further planning.”

Philipp Lahm, managing director of DFB EURO GmbH, said: “Leipzig is not only a place of great historical significance in Germany, it is also a city in which both professional and amateur football play an important role. I witnessed this myself during the host city tour. The city epitomises our objectives. In Leipzig, UEFA has made an excellent choice.”

Leipzig’s mayor, Burkhard Jung, welcomed the announcement: “Sports media from all over the world will be reporting on the EURO from Leipzig in 2024. We are thrilled to be hosting the media, who will transmit the matches from Germany to living rooms, garden parties, bars and public viewing locations across the globe. The fans watching at home are vital to football’s success. UEFA’s decision represents a tremendous achievement for our exhibition centre and the city of Leipzig.”

The ten UEFA EURO 2024 host cities were asked to inform DFB EURO GmbH in advance and without legal obligation if they were interested in hosting the IBC for UEFA EURO 2024 and taking part in the tender procedure. An invitation, together with a list of all the basic requirements for the IBC, was then sent out. The cities submitted binding offers for potential locations, whose technical and organisational suitability was then assessed during a series of on-site visits.