Finally ! After months of waiting, after two unexciting friendly matches, Euro 2024 is upon us. A year and a half after the arrival of Domenico Tedesco at the head of the selection, Belgium begins its Euro this June 17, at 6 p.m., against Slovakia.
If the Red Devils have already been well established since Wednesday in Stuttgart, this is not, however, where the campaign of Tedesco and his men will begin. Instead, go to Frankfurt am Main, to Deutsche Bank Park – or rather to the Frankfurt Arena, because throughout the Euro, UEFA will refrain from mentioning stadium sponsorship.
Mobility in Frankfurt
Don’t forget: if you have a ticket for the match, you will have a free subscription for public transport. The latter will be valid for 36 hours (i.e. one day before and one day after the match) and available via the UEFA Euro 2024 application. It includes trains throughout Germany, which allows you to get to Frankfurt safely. tranquility!
Mobility in Germany around big cities has a bad reputation, even in normal times, so imagine during the Euro period. What’s more, no free parking is provided to ticket holders. For the brave, allow around 4h30 drive from Brussels (without traffic jams) to Frankfurt (3h30 from Liège).
In Frankfurt itself, public transport services are numerous and efficient. From the main station, S-Bahns take you to the Frankfurt Arena in around 15 minutes – these are lines S8 and S9, green and purple. The same line leaves from Frankfurt city center, and it takes around half an hour. However, on match days, a shuttle will of course leave directly from the Fan Zone, and will travel to the stadium in 15-20 minutes.
The Fan Zone: Mainufer
The main fan zone in Frankfurt is the Mainufer Fan Zone, on the banks of the Main River and in the heart of the city. The Mainufer Fan Zone, as well as the other Fan Zones in the city, will be open from 1 p.m. to midnight. All Euro 2024 matches will be broadcast on a giant screen, drinks and food stands will be set up there and events (concerts, sporting activities, etc.) are also on the program.
Attention, 1895, the official federation of Red Devils supporters, does not have a permanent embassy. This will be found at the Hauptwache (photo above), one of the city’s main squares, a quarter of an hour’s walk from the Fan Zone. There you will be able to meet the members of 1895, who do an enormous amount of work during each Devils trip and will be able to answer all your questions.
What to do in Frankfurt am Main?
What if you don’t want to spend your time in the fan zone but prefer to take advantage of your presence in Frankfurt to play tourist? Don’t worry: Germany’s 5th largest city has plenty to keep you busy.
A few minutes walk from the city center, you will find the Fine Arts and History museums, but also the Goethe Museum. The famous author was born and raised in Frankfurt, and his family home, where he notably wrote “The Sorrows of Young Werther”, has been transformed into a museum tracing his life and his rich career. After all, German is often called “Goethe’s language.”
One of the most emblematic places in the city is the Römerberg, a superb square where 15th century buildings will offer you a slightly more typical side in the heart of a fairly modern Frankfurt. You can admire this modern aspect from the Eiserner steg, a pedestrian bridge offering a beautiful view of the Frankfurt skyline.
Belgium-Slovakia Day
On the day of the match, as always, a meeting point will be designated for Belgian supporters. It will be at Opernplatz, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., with the presence of 1895. A DJ, entertainment and food stands will be planned. Please note, 1895 has asked supporters to bring cash, as no card payment will apparently be possible on site.
The Fanwalk will start from Opernplatz, around 3 p.m. Arrival at the Frankfurt Arena is scheduled for around 4 p.m., two hours before Belgium-Slovakia kicks off. Walfoot.be will be present at this fanwalk and will bring it to life from the inside for the supporters at home. See you in Frankfurt am Main!
