Euro 2016 Schedule and Venues Confirmed by French Football Federation
The Euro 2016 steering committee convened on Friday at the headquarters of the French Football Federation (FFF) to finalise the tournament schedule and venue allocations for the upcoming European Championship, set to take place in France from June 10 to July 10, 2016. As previously indicated by Africa Top Sports, the meeting served to detail key logistical arrangements for the expanded 24-team tournament.
Among the major announcements was the confirmation of match times — fixtures will kick off at 3 p.m., 6 p.m., and 9 p.m. local time — and the decision to rotate group-stage matches across three different venues for each team, a move aimed at ensuring a balanced and fair distribution of travel and exposure across host cities.
The Stade de France in Saint-Denis, the nation’s largest stadium, will play a central role in the competition. It will host a total of seven matches, including the prestigious opening match — which will feature the French national team — and the tournament final. Other cities such as Bordeaux and Paris (Parc des Princes) will each host five matches, while Lens, Toulouse, Nice, and Saint-Étienne will stage at least four matches each.
As the knockout stages progress, the intensity will move to France’s largest football arenas. The semi-finals have been awarded to Lyon and Marseille, while the quarter-finals will be contested in Bordeaux, Lille, Marseille, and once again at the Stade de France.
For the host nation, Les Bleus, the path through the group stage has also been outlined. France will begin their campaign in Saint-Denis, before heading south to Marseille and then north to Lille for their remaining group matches. Depending on their finishing position in the group, the venue for their round of 16 match has already been determined: first place would see them play in Lyon, while a second-place finish would route them to Saint-Étienne.
With 51 matches on the calendar and an expanded lineup of teams, Euro 2016 is set to be the largest edition of the tournament to date — and, with preparations now entering the final stretch, host cities across France are bracing for a month of high-stakes football and continental celebration.
