Euro 2008 in Austria
The UEFA European Football Championship will take place in Austria and Switzerland, from 7 to 29 June 2008. The opening match of 'Euro 2008' takes place on June 7th in Basel (Switzerland), when co-host Switzerland meets the Czech Republic. Then the tournament continues until June 29th, the day of the final in Vienna (Austria). The bookmakers predict Germany, Italy, France and Spain as the favourites, but there are enough dangerous outsiders to make this a thrilling competition.
Host cities in Austria
There are four cities in Austria which will host matches and other festive football events: Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck and Klagenfurt. They can all be easily reached with the special Eurail Austria-Switzerland Pass. Below you can find characteristics of the Austrian host cities. See also the description of the Swiss cities.
Vienna
Stadium: Ernst-Happel-Stadion. In use since 2005. Capacity: 50.000
The Ernst-Happel-Stadion (in the past called Praterstadion or Wiener Stadion) is Austria’s largest stadium. The stadium hosts the home games of the Austrian national team. Vienna looks forward to six exciting matches, including the final on June 29th! In Vienna the Rathausplatz has been selected as the central gathering place. Football fans will meet here to celebrate and watch the matches live on big screens.
Vienna Euro 2008 website
Visiting Vienna
Vienna (local name: Wien) is the elegant capital of Austria. The cosmopolitan city has much to offer when it comes to music, art, literature, theatre, architecture, education, food and drink. Enjoyable evenings in the open air with great food await you at the Danube Canal. The MuseumsQuartier and the Danube Island are perfect spots to relax, while Mariahilfer Strasse is Vienna’s biggest shopping street. There is much to see in Vienna: From Gothic St. Stephen’s Cathedral to the Imperial Palace to the Art Nouveau splendor of the Secession, from the magnificent baroque palace Schönbrunn to the Museum of Fine Arts to modern architecture at the MuseumsQuartier.
Vienna Tourism website
Salzburg
Stadium: Stadion Salzburg Wals-Siezenheim. In use since 2006. Capacity: 30.000.
The Salzburg Stadion Wals Siezenheim is home of Red Bull Salzburg, a first division club. The stadium was officially opened in March 2003 and is the home ground of Red Bull Salzburg. In Salzburg the entire old town will be the stage of festive football celebrations. A gigantic video wall will be put up at Residenz, Kapitel or Mozart square.
Salzburg Euro 2008 website
Visiting Salzburg
Situated on the northern edge of the Alps, Salzburg is a city steeped in tradition that presents itself in the 21st century as a modern cultural center in the heart of Europe. Salzburg is the city of Mozart and the renowned Salzburg festival. But there's more to the city than classical music and opera. Salzburg is so beautiful, that it was declared a Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO. The city is a perfect blend of nature, sports, the past and present: coffeehouses and restaurants steeped in tradition can be found beside trendy bars and alternative event venues.
Salzburg Tourism website
Innsbruck
Stadium: Stadion Tivoli. In use sinc: 2006. Capacity: 30.000
The Innsbruck Tivoli Stadion is home ground of FC Wacker Tirol and venue of three UEFA EURO 2008 group matches. The Tivoli Stadion is a multi-use stadium used for all kinds of mega (sports) events.
The Bergisel Stadium will serve as fan zone in Innsbruck, offering public viewing on large screens. Maria-Theresien-Straße in the center of town is the location of the fan mile, where fans will gather between matches.
Innsbruck Euro 2008 website
Visiting Innsbruck
Innsbruck is at the heart of the Tirolean Alps. Winter like summer, Tirol is the hub of the international sports scene. Two Olympic winter games and a host of spectacular sports events brought Tirol into the international limelight. Innsbruck is only a short ride from a great variety of sports and wellness facilities. The city itself charms with superb views of the surrounding mountains, romantic restaurants in the medieval old town, and a vibrant nightlife perfect for those post-match parties.
Innsbruck Tourism website
Klagenfurt
Stadium: Wörthersee Stadion. In use since 2007. Capacity: 91.000.
A brand-new, ultra-modern stadium Wörtherseestadion Klagenfurt has been built especially for EURO 2008. Since its official opening in September 2007, the stadium has quickly become the new landmark of the city. Klagenfurt will host three group matches of Group B during the EURO 2008 Championship. The centrally located exhibition center is the heart of the fan mile and public viewing zone. The fan mile will extend from the exhibition center along Ruprechterstraße and 10.-Oktober-Straße all the way into the city center.
Klagenfurt Euro 2008 website
Visiting Klagenfurt
Klagenfurt is a city where history and modernity blend delightfully. In addition to modern architecture (such as the stadium building), the well preserved buildings of the old city centre make for the unique charm of this city. Klagenfurt provides you with an almost infinite range of activities - at any time of the year. Among these are numerous sporting activities and cultural events, entertaining shopping tours, castle trips and discovery tours in the charming old town. The great location at Lake Wörthersee, one of the largest and warmest alpine lakes in Europe, makes Klagenfurt a popular holiday destination. Major sport events, such as the Ironman Austria and the Beach Volleyball Grand Slam attract many visitors every year.
Klagenfurt Tourism website
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