The UEFA Euros saw a one-of-a-kind event conclude last week in celebration of its 60th anniversary. The event brought in irrefutable amounts of revenue worldwide and brought a ton of emotion after being cancelled last year due to the pandemic. However, new complications emerged as original hosts of the multi-city Euros seek damages after being removed over spectator requirements months before the event.
Istanbul was awarded its compensation after being disrobed from hosting the Champions League Final for the second year consecutively during the pandemic. Portugal stepped in both times, hosting at Lisbon then Porto. UEFA has confirmed Istanbul will host the final in 2023 to the city’s elation.
UEFA also remunerated Dublin and Bilbao on Friday for dropping them as European Championship hosts by awarding each city a future Europa League final. Dublin will host the 2024 final and 2025 finals will be awarded to Bilbao. The Basque region city will also stage the Women’s Champions League final in 2024.
UEFA said its managing board made the decisions as part of a settlement deal understanding the efforts and economic expense put by the two cities to plan for Euro 2020.
Dublin and Bilbao were selected by UEFA in 2014 among 13 host cities. However, both were removed from the list in April because local authorities could not guarantee to UEFA letting sufficient fans safely into the stadiums within restrictions enforced by the COVID-19 pandemic. While Bilbao’s San Mames was replaced directly by Seville’s La Cartuja. Dublin’s games were moved to Saint Petersburg and Wembley in London.
Basque authorities last month said that Uefa had decided to award Bilbao the hosting rights to the two club competition finals, plus €1.3m ($1.53m), as part of a compensation package for the loss of hosting rights to matches at Euro 2020, estimated to be more than €1.2m.
Istanbul was also awarded its compensation after being disrobed from hosting the Champions League final for the second year consecutively during the pandemic. Portugal stepped in both times, hosting at Lisbon then Porto.UEFA has confirmed Istanbul will host the final in 2023 to the city’s elation.
Despite, all these complications the multi-city Euros will be remembered by all fans and teams for its rarity and economic spread making it a truly European tournament.