"The site holds great intrigue"
Düsseldorf, Germany, was abuzz with excitement on September 7, 2021, as representatives from the German Football Association (DFB) and UEFA gathered at the historic Böhlerwerke in Lörick for a site inspection.
The meeting was attended by Philipp Lahm, the managing director of DFB Euro GmbH, Markus Stenger, his fellow managing director, and Martin Kallen, the CEO of UEFA Events SA. These key figures are responsible for organising the UEFA Euro 2024, a prestigious tournament that Germany will host in four years' time.
Lahm, a World Cup winner and football legend, expressed his fondness for Düsseldorf and its welcoming people. He described the Böhlerwerke as a uniquely suitable location for the International Broadcasting Centre (IBC) of the UEFA Euro 2024, praising its historical significance and modern facilities.
Mayor Thomas Geisel also expressed Düsseldorf's interest in becoming the location of the IBC. He highlighted the city's reputation for openness and hospitality, demonstrated by its successful hosting of major events like the Grand Départ of the Tour de France in the past.
The Böhlerwerke, a far cry from an average location, offers a blend of history and modernity that could make it an ideal choice for the IBC. The delegations, guided by Georg Broich, inspected the event halls at the Böhlerwerke during the visit.
It is worth noting that DFB Euro GmbH is responsible for organising the UEFA Euro 2024, and Lahm, along with Stenger, has been appointed to lead this endeavour since June 2019. The representatives of the DFB and UEFA will visit the other four candidate cities for the IBC in the coming weeks.
A decision on the location for the IBC for UEFA Euro 2024 is expected later this year. While the specific details about the other candidate cities are not available at this time, it is common for the IBC to be located in or near the host city with the main tournament activities.
As the search for the ideal location continues, Düsseldorf presents itself as a strong contender, offering a unique blend of history, modernity, and a warm welcome that could make it the perfect home for the International Broadcasting Centre of UEFA Euro 2024.
Football enthusiasts across Europe eagerly await the Champions League matches, with the tournament set to be one of the highlights in the sports calendar. With Germany hosting the UEFA Euro 2024, the race is on to secure the International Broadcasting Centre (IBC) for the prestigious event, and Düsseldorf is a strong candidate, given its unique combination of historical significance, modern facilities, and warm hospitality.
