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Although tickets for the final match between England and Spain had long since sold out, the immense appeal of the tournament led tens of thousands of fans to flock to Berlin hoping to snag last-minute tickets. This resulted in soaring prices for tourist services in the German capital.
German news agency DW commented: A frantic race is underway: England face Spain in the Euro 2024 final and everyone wants a ticket. The final match of Euro 2024 will take place at Berlin's Olympiastadion, which will have a limited capacity of 71,000 people, compared to 75,000 at Hertha Berlin's matches, who are currently using the stadium.
Coach Southgate's team will face Spain at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on the morning of July 15th, a fiery battle between two teams with contrasting playing styles.
However, the allocation provided by UEFA to each member federation was significantly lower, with 10,000 tickets distributed to English and Spanish fans at a price of 95 EUR (104 USD) each. Tickets purchased directly through UEFA initially ranged from 300 € to 1,000 EUR.
Although tickets were sold out, many tourists still flocked to Berlin to experience the atmosphere of the tournament.
With tickets having sold out long ago, fans now have only one option left: to turn to the black market to try and get a ticket to the match, at significantly higher prices. British media estimate that around 50,000 English fans will be in Berlin on Sunday.
Reportedly, airfare from London to Berlin on Saturday rose to €1,000, more than 12 times the usual price. Hotel room rates also skyrocketed, with some rooms costing up to €1,000 per night.
However, Berlin city officials insist they are fully prepared to welcome this massive influx of fans. Public transportation has been increased, and security measures have been tightened to ensure the safety of visitors.
The passion of the fans has made Germany more crowded than ever.
Hotel and restaurant owners in the host city of the final have expressed optimism about business during the event. According to a survey by the German Hotel and Restaurant Association (DEHOGA), nearly 50% of establishments expect positive results from the Euro 2024 football championship. Even if not all host locations directly benefit from a major sporting event like Euro 2024, the potential positive impacts, such as boosting domestic confidence and strengthening Germany's position as a leading tourist destination, should not be underestimated.
Breweries in Germany also saw a significant boost in business. Statistics show that when the 2006 World Cup was held in Germany, beer sales increased by approximately 5% before and during the tournament.
According to Germany's Ifo Institute for Economic Research, spending by international tourists at Euro 2024 is expected to bring an additional €1 billion (equivalent to $1.07 billion) to the German economy. Successfully hosting a major event like Euro 2024 could also enhance Germany's image with other countries, while creating optimism among local consumers and investors looking to invest in the country. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Germany was the only G7 country to experience no growth last year, and is likely to achieve a weak growth rate of only 0.3% this year, significantly slower than other major economies.
