Twenty-four of the best soccer teams (or football depending on where you're reading this from) will participate in the Euro 2024 tournament — one of the most watched and bet on soccer competitions.
Here's a look at how to watch the matches, the betting odds, and the storylines that will pique your interest.
How to Watch Euro 2024
In the U.S., Fox Corporation FOXFOXA, who also aired the 2022 World Cup, will have the rights to all the matches in the Euro 2024 tournament.
Fox will spread the games between its FOX broadcast channel and FS1 cable sports network.
The games begin on Friday June 14 at 3 p.m. ET with Germany taking on Scotland. Germany will host the tournament this year.
While Friday has only one game, most days will see three games played during the group stage. Games on Saturday and Sunday air at 9 a.m. ET, 12 p.m. ET and 3 p.m. ET.
The finals will take place on July 14.
The USA doesn't compete in the Euro tournament, which began in 1960. But many in the country tune in to watch what is the second most-watched tournament in the world after the World Cup.
The Euro 2020, which was played in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, saw the most watched Euro match ever in the United States with 6.5 million tuning into the finals on ESPN, a unit of The Walt Disney Company.
Viewership for the finals, which saw Italy defeat England, was up 43% from the 2016 final. Viewership peaked at 8.2 million viewers during the penalty kick shootout that determined the winner.
The Euro 2020 averaged 1.36 million viewers across 51 matches with coverage on Disney's ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC. This was up 31% from the 2016 Euro tournament.
This could be good news for Fox and comes with the 2022 World Cup also seeing strong viewership with 25 million US viewers watching the final where Argentina defeated France in a penalty shootout.
Betting Odds: Bettors will have plenty of options when placing wagers on Euro 2024 with options to bet on the outright winner, winner of each group, teams to advance or get eliminated, each match and player performances like top goalscorer.
Here are the betting odds for the Euro 2024 winner from DraftKings Inc DKNG and their respective FIFA world ranking.
- France (2): +350
- England (4): +350
- Germany (16): +550
- Portugal (6): +700
- Spain (8): +800
- Italy (9): +1,600
- Belgium (3): +1,600
- Netherlands (7): +1,600
- Denmark (21): +3,500
- Croatia (10): +4,000
The top two teams from each of six groups will advance to the Round of 16 along with the four best third place teams.
Here are the groups:
- Group A: Germany, Switzerland, Scotland, Hungary
- Group B: Spain, Italy, Croatia, Albania
- Group C: England, Denmark, Slovenia, Serbia
- Group D: France, Netherlands, Austria, Poland
- Group E: Belgium, Ukraine, Slovakia, Romania
- Group F: Portugal, Czech Republic, Turkey, Georgia
- Group B could be what's called the "Group of Death" with three of the top 10 ranked teams in the world and betting favorites competing for two spots, although a third could get through as one of the top third place teams.
Based on betting odds of -270, Germany is listed with the best odds to win its group.
Related Link: 5 Things You Might Not Know About Soccer Legend, Portugal Star Cristiano Ronaldo
Euro 2024 Storylines: England is attracting a large number of bets according to Fox Sports with the country taking the most outright bets at some sportsbooks. This comes after England reached the Euro 2022 final and the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup.
England coach Gareth Southgate has also hinted that this could be his last tournament if they lose, which could put extra motivation on the players.
France is the co-favorite at sportsbooks as one of the top-ranked teams for years. It lost the 2022 World Cup in penalty kicks to Argentina. This year, it may be extra motivated to prove it's the best team in Europe.
Croatia ranks 10th in the world and comes in 10th in betting odds at +4,000. This could provide motivation as more of a longshot to win. The country reached the knockouts in Euro 2020 and finished in third place in the 2022 World Cup. This could also be the last international tournament of star Luka Modric.
Speaking of last tournaments, the Euro 2024 tournament could mark the last time Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo will take part in the every four year competition. Ronaldo enters a record sixth Euro competition and has scored goals in five previous tournaments.
Ronaldo won the tournament with Portugal in 2016 and won the Golden Boot as the top goalscorer in 2020.
Ronaldo has scored more goals in the Euro (14) than anyone else and comes into the tournament in good form. The soccer great has 35 goals for Al-Nassr FC in 31 matches this season. While some may question Ronaldo's competition level in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo has proved he can score in top competitions.
Ronaldo's bets for Golden Boot (most goals) at +1,100 will likely see plenty of action. Ronaldo has the third-best odds, trailing only Kylian Mbappe (+400) and Harry Kane (+500). Ronaldo's over/under for goals is 3.5 at +150.
Based on his group and Portugal's likelihood to play at least four games, Ronaldo could put up four or more goals and be one of the top contenders for the Golden Boot, where five or six goals usually wins.
Ronaldo also has third-best odds to win Player of the Tournament at +1,600.
Read Next: Cristiano Ronaldo’s Move To Saudi Arabia Underscores Kingdom’s Soccer Ambitions, China’s Decline
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