Euro 2024 to feel like a home tournament for Croatia 

(Photo credit: Bruno Correia/Public domain)

The anticipation for Euro 2024 in Germany is growing among Croatian football fans with the draw for the tournament now just days away. 

With the recent conclusion of the first ticket sales phase, fortunate fans secured their coveted match tickets. However, for those left ticketless in the initial UEFA draw, the journey is far from over.

As gol.hr reports, UEFA has allowed fans to apply for a specific number of tickets even before knowing where the teams would play and against whom. The suspense will unravel on December 2nd during the draw, with crucial information for Croatian fans set to be revealed on December 4th.

The Ticket Struggle

UEFA has initiated the ticket application process for fans whose teams will participate in Euro 2024. All ticket sales will be conducted exclusively online. A million tickets will be made available for supporters of the 21 teams participating in the tournament.

The next ticket sales phase is scheduled for next year, targeting fans of the three teams that qualify for the Euros through the playoffs scheduled from March 21st to 26th. 

Ticket prices range from 30 euros for the cheapest seats to a hefty 1000 euros for premium options to witness the final match at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin on July 14th.

Croatia’s Fan Frenzy

Croatia’s qualification has sparked unprecedented excitement among Croatian fans. Approximately half a million Croats reside in Germany, and it’s estimated that every third Croatian wishes to witness their homeland’s performance on the big stage.

When considering also the several hundred thousand Croatian fans living in Croatia, planning their trip to the Euro, the sheer number of interested fans poses a challenge for both the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) and UEFA. 

Croatian fans (Photo: Hello Dubrovniik)

Let’s not overlook the significant Croatian communities in Austria and Switzerland, as they alone could potentially fill every stadium during the championship.

Not everyone will secure tickets, and it’s realistic to expect that each Croatian match will attract over 20,000 fans. While this creates an incredible atmosphere, it remains insufficient to satisfy all the eager fans.

When Germany hosted the 2006 World Cup, Croatian fans filled the stadiums, creating a special atmosphere. When the Croatian anthem belted out during their opening match against Brazil, a number of players at the time said it was deafening and the loudest they had witnessed. 

Logistics and Challenges

Euro 2024 will be played across ten stadiums, with semifinals in Munich and Dortmund and the final in Berlin. 

After this Saturday’s draw, Croatia will learn which cities will host their matches, initiating a big scramble for tickets.

Croatian fans will be out in full force

A substantial number of Croatians are expected to flock to the host cities, even without tickets. Everyone wants to experience the vibrant atmosphere, even if they won’t be inside the stadium. This poses a significant logistical challenge for law enforcement, requiring meticulous planning to ensure security in the midst of such a massive crowd.

As Croatian fans eagerly await the draw and tournament, Euro 2024 promises to feel like a home tournament for Croatia.