Several Euro 2024 fan zones in Germany closed due to storm warnings

DPA
·1 min read
A general view of the Dusseldorf fan zone. The Euro 2024 fan zones in Dusseldorf and Dortmund will remain closed on Tuesday due to the forecast of heavy thunderstorms in the region, local authorities said. Federico Gambarini/dpa
A general view of the Dusseldorf fan zone. The Euro 2024 fan zones in Dusseldorf and Dortmund will remain closed on Tuesday due to the forecast of heavy thunderstorms in the region, local authorities said. Federico Gambarini/dpa

Euro 2024 fan zones and public viewing areas in several German host cities, including Tuesday's match venue of Dortmund, were closed after forecasts for heavy thunderstorms, local authorities said.

The decisions also affect the capital Berlin and the western German cities of Dusseldorf, Cologne and Gelsenkirchen. The fan zone in Leipzig, where the match between Portugal and the Czech Republic is due to take place, reopened after being briefly closed.

In Dortmund, thousands of Turkish fans had been expected to follow their national team's opener against Georgia in the fan zone at the Friedensplatz square and in the public viewing area at the Westfalenpark.

Up to 80,000 Turkish fans are said to be in Dortmund but according to the city authorities, planned events with the fan associations of both nations were also cancelled as rain lashed down.

"Dortmund has been looking forward to and preparing for a big fan party with tens of thousands of Turkish and Georgian fans in the city. However, the safety of the fans in our city is our priority," said Martin Sauer, Dortmund's representative for Euro 2024.

Even those inside the stadium risked getting wet. Stewards were busy sweeping up standing water with brooms after rain fell like torrents from the stadium roof and flowed down stairs.

Heavy rain also hit the Georgia fans' march to the stadium as they celebrated their first ever major tournament game.