Expanding to a 24-team format for the first time in its 56-year existence, the 2016 UEFA European Championship will be held in 10 cities throughout France between June 10 and July 10. Spain returns to contend their two consecutive titles while the tournament also welcomes inaugural appearances from five new contending countries.
As is the case every four years, the Euro Cup brings a considerable amount of excitement to the hosting nation, and it appears that the 15th installment of the tournament is already garnering big ticket resale demand three months out. According to international reseller Ticketbis, Euro 2016 tickets are posting three-digit price points across the group stage and through the Final in July.
The action kicks off on June 10 when France plays Romania at Stade de France. It will be among the most expensive matches of the group stage, with tickets starting from $466.59 on Ticketbis. The top-priced group stage match comes on June 16 at Stade Bollaert-Delelis between England and Wales, where the get-in price is currently $688.22.
Of course, not all group stage matches will warrant such high asking prices to get past the gates. Russia and Slovakia will play in the cheapest match of the tournament on June 15 at Stade Pierre Mauroy. That match currently owns a get-in price of $115.47. Other least expensive matches include Iceland vs Hungary on June 18 at Stade Velodrome ($121.98 get-in) and Romania vs Albania on June 19 at Stades de Lumieres ($138.81 get-in).
Hopeful match-goers will continue to see big prices as the tournament carries on to the Round of 16. Between all eight venues set to host the knockout games from June 25-27, Match 3 at Stade Bollaert-Delelis on June 25 is the most expensive at a get-in price of $325.48. Don’t expect to find tickets for much cheaper during the three-day stretch. The least expensive match will be held at Stade de Lumieres on June 26, where tickets start from $237.60.
Heading into the Quarterfinal stage of Euro 2016, Match 3 at Stade Bordeaux-Atlantique on June 30 is currently posting the biggest ticket demand among all four matches with a get-in price of $436.15. Quarterfinal Match 1 at Stade Velodrome two days prior is the cheapest at $289.17.
The Semifinal stage will take place at Stade de Lumieres and Stade Velodrome on July 6 and 7, respectively. Semifinal Match 1 will be the cheaper match of the pair, with the get-in price starting from $493.42. The following day’s match is slightly more expensive at $515.58. Perhaps expected, the Final at Stade de France on July 10 is the most expensive single match of the tournament with the cheapest tickets listed for $1,335.62 each.
France receives Euro Cup hosting duties for the third time since the tournament’s inception in 1960. The country last welcomed the games back in 1984 and won its first of two titles that year. Those countries making their first marks on the tournament in its expansion include Albania, Iceland, Northern Ireland, Slovakia and Wales.