Although tickets for the final between England and Spain have long since sold out, the sheer magnitude of the tournament has seen tens of thousands of fans flock to Berlin in the hope of securing last-minute tickets, leading to skyrocketing prices for tourist services in the German capital.
German news agency DW commented: A mad race is underway: England faces Spain in the Euro 2024 final and everyone wants a ticket. The final match of Euro 2024 will be held at Berlin's Olympiastadion, which will be limited to 71,000 people, compared to 75,000 for Hertha Berlin's matches, the team that currently uses the stadium.
Coach Southgate and his team will face the Spanish team at Olympiastadion Berlin in the early morning of July 15, a fierce battle between two teams with contrasting playing styles.
However, UEFA's allocation to each member association is significantly lower, with 10,000 tickets being distributed to English and Spanish fans at a price of 95 euros ($104) each. If purchased directly through UEFA, the initial ticket prices range from 300 euros to 1,000 euros.
Although tickets were sold out, many tourists still flocked to Berlin to join in the atmosphere of the tournament.
With tickets long sold out, fans are now left with only the option of turning to the black market to try and get a ticket for the match, which costs significantly more. British media estimate that around 50,000 England fans will be in Berlin on Sunday.
Flights from London to Berlin on Saturday reportedly cost 1,000 euros, more than 12 times the normal price. Hotel prices have also skyrocketed, with some rooms costing as much as 1,000 euros a night.
However, Berlin city officials insist they are fully prepared to welcome this huge number of fans. Public transport has been increased, and security measures have been tightened to ensure the safety of visitors.
The heat of the fans makes 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 accommodation establishments expect to see positive results from the Euro 2024 football championship. Even if not all host locations will directly benefit from a major sporting event like Euro 2024, the potential positive effects, such as increased domestic confidence and the strengthening of Germany’s position as a top tourist destination, should not be underestimated.
German breweries also got a boost in business. Statistics show that when the 2006 World Cup was held in Germany, beer sales increased by about 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 add 1 billion euros ($1.07 billion) to the German economy. Hosting a major event like Euro 2024 could also boost Germany's image abroad and create 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 that did not grow last year, and is likely to grow by a weak 0.3% this year, much slower than other major economies.
