If you are travelling to Cologne (Germany) to enjoy the Spain-Georgia Euro 2024 match and you want to know all the most handy information about the city, the fan zones, the means of transport to the stadium... you are in the right place.
The Fan Embassy for Spain of the FSE (Football Supporters Europe) platform, in collaboration with the RFEF, are offering useful guides for all the matches that Spain are set to play in Germany 2024. As always, it informs fans about the locations of the different official Fan Zones, as well as other details aimed at guaranteeing the safety of the fans and the best matchday experience possible.
GETTING AROUND COLOGNE
Getting around Cologne is free of charge from 6:00 am on match day until 6:00 pm the following day using the regional transport networks VRR and VRS. During this period you do not need a ticket but you must be in possession of your Fan Pass.
Plan your routes on the VRR or VRS websites or download their apps.
WEATHER
The forecast for Sunday is for showers during the day. Please prepare appropriate clothing, and remember that only collapsible umbrellas without tips are allowed in the stadium.
FAN MEETING POINT
The Spanish fan meeting point will be located on Kitschburger Straße, near the corner of Friedrich-Schmidt-Straße. There will be refreshment stands, toilets and entertainment. We recommend that you schedule your meal times to be at this location at its opening time, to avoid the public transport congestion as the match approaches.
It is scheduled to open at 4pm and will also be the point from which the Spanish fans will start their march to the stadium, which is approximately 2km from this meeting point. The march will take about 30 minutes. Along the way, remember to follow the instructions of the police and other organisers, and use litter bins or containers to leave your empty containers.
This link for the exact location of the Fan Meeting Point Kitschburger Straße on Google Maps.
From the city centre, you can travel to this meeting point via Tram line 1. It will take you approximately 15 minutes to get there from the centre, from the Heumarkt stop near the Fan Zone. The nearest stop you should get off at is Maarweg.
FAN INFO POINT
Cologne will have a location in the city centre where fans can go for information and assistance.
The location of this point will be the Am Hof/Kurt-Hackenberg-Platz, where you will find volunteers from our fan embassy service, but also from the EUROs organisation itself and the German Fans Welcome colleagues.
FAN ZONE
The main Fan Zone in Cologne will be located in the central Heumarkt. Due to its central location and its proximity to bar areas, depending on the opponent, the area may be overcrowded. If you are looking for a more family-friendly plan, you can take the free ferry to the other side of the Rhine, where you will find the giant screen area and other football activities in Tanzbrunnen.
You can find all the information about the programme and offerings of this Fan Zone in the Official Tournament Guide.
STADIUM
You can get to the stadium with several public transport options, but we hope you decide to join the march that will leave from the Fan Meeting Point at 18h. In any case, these are the recommended options to get to the south end of the stadium, where most of the Spanish fans will be.
- Tram 1 - to Rheinenergie Stadion, which drops you at the north end of the stadium and you will have to go around the stadium until you reach the entrance.
- Tram 7 - to Stüttgenhof (20 minutes walk to the stadium). The straightest route to this stop may be muddy in heavy rain. This line has a less frequent service and is not the most recommended option.
Both lines connect to Heumarkt in the centre.
The northern option may be more populated by Georgia fans.
Around the stadium there are limited options for pre-match entertainment. That notwithstanding, remember to arrive at the stadium with enough time to get through the two stages of security and don't leave your journey and access to the stadium to the last minute. Avoid any unforeseen events.
See the Official Stadium Guide for full details of the Cologne Stadium.
Full list of objects banned from the stadium, on the official UEFA website.
POST MATCH
From the stadium, you can return to the centre using public transport to the stadium. You can see your options on the official last kilometre map in the previous section. The tram option (Tram 1) which stops next to the stadium is the best option although it will be the most crowded.
Another option is to walk further north (25 minutes) to the Technologiepark S-Bahn station which connects you to the central station.
The southbound option may be a little out of the way but less crowded, although the straighter route to this stop may be muddy in heavy rain. This station has fewer trains so it may not be an option if you delay your departure from the stadium. Although you can always check with local mobility apps, we do not recommend this option.
The walk back takes at least three quarters of an hour and there are plenty of kiosks along the route that are open 24 hours a day.
Check your options and remember that you can stay in the stadium for a few minutes and avoid the first wave of spectators by leaving the area.