It’s back. Arguably the second biggest men’s international soccer tournament on earth—only behind the World Cup—the UEFA European Championship is already unfurling in cities across France and is set to be a real kick (pun intended).
Held every four years, the event, which opens June 10 in 2016, will showcase the best of European football (soccer to we Americans) over 51 games. For the first time, 24 teams will compete, expanded from the 16-team format of previous events. Host France is in, as is defending champion Germany, who join 22 other qualifiers in six groups of four (A to F), with the winners, runners-up, and the four top third-place teams advancing to the knock-out round of 16.
The final showdown on July 10 will be held at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, just outside Paris, where the victors will hoist the Henri Delaunay Trophy and earn bragging rights until 2020.
Whether you’re a footie fanatic or just adore a high-stakes sporting event with wild fans, a trip to France this summer is sure to be electrifying. While you could head straight for Paris or for tickets to see popular teams like Germany, Spain, Italy, and France, Bordeaux is an appealing alternative. This beloved wine region will host five matches that might not be impossible to score tickets to, and it’s home to some amazing off-the-pitch playtime options, too.
Why Bordeaux?
Dennis Jarvis
Gorgeous and gleaming thanks to its spruced up neo-classical buildings and wide pedestrian promenade along the Garonne River, this UNESCO World Heritage city offers more than football at your fingertips this summer. Bordeaux and world-class wines will be feted permanently at the eye-catching Cité du Vin museum , an architectural marvel that opens in June, just in time for the 10 th annual Bordeaux Wine Festival , June 23-26, Europe’s largest wine tourism event. A modern and efficient tram zigzags the city’s streets, dropping visitors in front of leafy public squares, art museums, gothic churches, and in the old town, where cafes, restaurants, and bars spill onto the narrow cobbled streets. And should an escape be on your agenda, vineyards galore, ancient villages, and Atlantic coastline are all within an hour of the city center.
Team Talk
bekhap
England’s young and talented team is heavily favored, having won every game in qualifying play. Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy, who scored in 11 consecutive games earlier this season, setting a new Premier League record, is earning considerable buzz as a star to watch.
Defending and current world champ Germany should prove formidable, too. But futbol-fevered Spain, the only team to have ever won back-to-back titles, in 2008 and 2012, would love a three-peat. Host country France has won two titles (1984 and 2000) since the tournament’s inauguration in 1958, and home-field advantage should make it a feisty opponent.
Italy qualified comfortably yet seems to be cursed when it comes to this tournament. Despite winning the World Cup as recently as 2006, it has yet to achieve a Euro Cup victory since debuting in 1968.
Underdog lover? Don’t count out Wales, which is celebrating its first international tournament qualification since the 1950s. But don’t take your eyes off plucky little Belgium either, since it thrilled its fans and raised eyebrows when it topped FIFA’s world rankings in late 2015. Argentina returned to the top in the spring, but many say it won’t be long before the Red Devils reclaim the position.
And a heads-up for Belgium fans: The team has chosen Bordeaux as its base camp, where it will practice and rest between games. Training sessions will take place at the Haillan Centre, and public sessions will be held at the Chaban-Delmas Stadium.
Arriving and Accommodations
Mama Shelter
Bordeaux Mérignac Airport services most major European cities, including 20 connections a day to Paris. From Hall B, the 30-Direct bus leaves every half hour and drops passengers at the St. Jean Train Station, a TGV hub with direct links to Paris, as well as a tram, taxi, and bus hub to the rest of Bordeaux.
Bordeaux is brimming with places to rest your head, from apartment rentals to hundreds of hotels that range from posh to penny-pinching. Close to the stadium is the Mercure Bordeaux Lac , with easy tram access to the city center. Or stay in the heart of the historic center at Mama Shelter, with free Wifi and a funky designer vibe. With vast views over the city, the rooftop bar is sure to be a popular post-game party spot.
Stadium Intel
It really is hip to be square at the new—and yes, square-shaped—42,000-seat Stade Matmut Atlantique referred to as Stade de Bordeaux for this tournament. The ultra-modern venue officially opened in May 2015, and fans can connect and post photos via the stadium’s Wifi and sample local and international flavors at 19 different food outlets and restaurants.
Fan Zone and Game Time Tipples
No tickets? No problem! Bordeaux’s Places de Quinconces is home to the biggest Fan Zone outside of Paris where you can watch all 51 matches on a giant, 1.786-square-foot screen, taste local French and international specialties at food stalls and restaurants, shop for your favorite team jerseys, and take part in games and other entertainment. Best of all: Entry is free.
If you prefer to take in your soccer with the locals and a pint or two, many bars in the heart of the city will offer live broadcasts of the games, including El Bodegon, Pub Saint-Aubin, The Charles Dickens Pub, and Molly Malone’s.
Beyond Bordeaux
Though it’ll be hard to pull yourself away from the action on the pitch, there is much to see outside Bordeaux, too. The magnificent medieval village of Saint-Emilion , also an excellent wine region, is just 25 miles from the city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999.
Just 30 minutes by train, Arcachon is one of the closest coastal resorts to Bordeaux and offers a popular way to beat the heat for city dwellers who come to lounge on the sandy beaches of the Atlantic Ocean, pedal along the seashore, and lunch on the town’s most famous food, oysters, best washed down with one of Bordeaux’s lesser known but equally delicious white wines.
Game Schedule
- June 11: Wales vs. Slovakia
- June 14: Austria vs. Hungary
- June 18: Belgium vs. Ireland
- June 21: Croatia vs. Spain
- July 2: (quarter finals, teams TBD)
Featured image provided by Dennis Jarvis