Football players in action on the field - The European Football Championship: fan celebrations, safety measures, and additional train trips.
In Frankfurt, four weeks of football excitement are set to begin two days before the opening match. Here's what's in store:
OPENING CEREMONY - On Wednesday (June 12th), an opening ceremony will take place at Flößerbrücke on the Main. The east side of the bridge will be adorned with colors representing the 24 participating countries. The event will feature a spectacular light show, musical performances, including renditions of the football anthem "You'll Never Walk Alone" and tunes from the EM history. The 25-minute extravaganza starts in the evening. You'll find great viewing spots at Weseler Werft and the Main bank of Sachsenhausen. The Hessian Broadcasting Corporation will air the show live on television.
FAN ZONE - The fan zone, now called Fanzone, extends for 1.4 kilometers along the Main, between Friedensbrücke and Eisernem Steg. It can accommodate up to 30,000 visitors and has 350 program points planned. Along with the live broadcast of all 51 matches, there will be concerts, E-Sport gaming stations, comedy shows, and a floating football field on the Main. The Frankfurt Opera will also organize an evening. Admission is free. The organizers have made it clear that cannabis consumption is not allowed in the Fanzone.
BARS - Most foreign fans are expected to head to the Main, the city center, and Sachsenhausen, according to Dehoga. "Here, you'll find a variety of dining options, including many ethnic eateries showcasing the best of Frankfurt," says Dehoga President Robert Mangold. Since there's no curfew in Frankfurt, all establishments can receive guests until 5:00 am. "At bars, you can party until the final whistle of the last match," Mangold says. However, not every bar will show the matches. For example, the "Bornheimer Ratskeller" website states that it won't be screening the games. Instead, the bar is "suitable for guests looking to enjoy a more laid-back evening."
HOTELS - Hotels are booked but not completely full. "You'll still find plenty of affordable rooms in the city, especially in the outskirts," says Mangold. Prices in high-end hotels have attracted many visitors, according to Dehoga, and they're at fair rates. The bookings look "very promising, even in the Bahnhofsviertel, where many reservations have been made." The locations where the players stay remains unknown - teams have been trying to keep it private "as long as possible."
TRAIN STATION AREA - Concerns regarding the safety of the Bahnhofsviertel were raised earlier this year. A British tabloid painted a grim picture of the area as "the most dangerous slum in Germany," with a population of "5,000 slurping junkies and 300 dealers."
In response, the city has come up with measures to improve the area. Video surveillance has been increased, the weapons prohibition zone has been expanded, police presence is on the rise, street cleaning has been stepped up, more public toilets are in place, new pavements have been laid, and the entrances to the district have been repainted. While the main station itself is under construction and will remain so for years, the first impression of the city may not be the best.
TRANSPORT - To make it easier for fans to get to the public viewing areas and the stadium, Frankfurt is enhancing its public transport services. The city promises more buses, trams, U-Bahn, and S-Bahn lines with more frequent services, larger vehicles, and extended operating hours - even during overtime and penalty shootouts. The transport companies Traffiq and VGF will implement these changes. Stations should be clean and well-maintained, and elevators and escalators should be functional.
SECURITY - Just before the start of the EM, security in Hesse is well-prepared. Roman Poseck, the Minister of the Interior (CDU), notes "no tangible threats," but there's a "high abstract potential risk." Abundant caution is being exercised. The police will rely on high visibility, multilingual communication, and advanced technology through loudspeaker vans with LED displays or an extended video surveillance. The security forces will be deployed on land, at sea, and in the air, and there's a specialized Cyber-Unit to guard against dangers from the virtual world.
Visiting the Stadium on a whim - Imagine heading to the stadium to catch one of the 5 games in Frankfurt. The unfortunate response: it's less than ideal. As per the UEFA's announcement, all tickets have been snapped up. Not even the last-minute ones. If additional tickets pop up, they can only be purchased directly from the UEFA. Beware if you attempt to buy tickets through a third party as the UEFA can revoke these tickets, leaving you out of pocket and unable to watch the game live.
Street Greetings - The European Championship is supposed to be on full display across the city. Trains, buses and public squares are decked out with flags, banners, and posters featuring Euro Championship themes. Over 1600 volunteers are ready to help out throughout the month-long tournament in Main's metropolis. Every day, a fan message greets visitors at the central train station. During matchdays in Frankfurt, there will be gathering spaces for soccer enthusiasts at Opera Square and at the Roßmarkt. The largest contingents of visiting fans are expected to be from England and Switzerland.
Read also:
- The European Football Championship is set to bring four weeks of football excitement to Frankfurt am Main, Germany, two days before the opening match in Frankfurt.
- The opening ceremony will take place at Flößerbrücke on the Main, featuring a light show, musical performances, and the football anthem "You'll Never Walk Alone."
- The fan zone, located along the Main, will screen all 51 matches during the championship, and visitors can enjoy concerts, E-Sport gaming stations, and comedy shows.
- The 24 participating countries' colors will be displayed on the east side of the bridge, and fans can watch the event on live television via the Hessian Broadcasting Corporation.
- In response to safety concerns in the Bahnhofsviertel, the city has implemented measures such as increased video surveillance, expanded weapon prohibition zones, and enhanced police presence.
- Frankfurt is improving its public transport services to accommodate fans, with more frequent buses, trams, and trains operating during matches and extended operating hours.
- The DEHOGA, or the German Hotel and Restaurant Association, advises foreign fans to head to the Main, the city center, and Sachsenhausen for a variety of dining options and late-night entertainment.
- Despite some concerns, Roman Poseck, the Minister of the Interior, notes there are no tangible threats but a high abstract potential risk, with abundant caution being exercised throughout the event.
- Cannabis consumption is not permitted in the fan zone, and fans visiting the stadium should be aware that all tickets have been sold, with any additional tickets only available directly from UEFA.
