UEFA’s Green Agenda: England’s National Team Commits to Road Travel for Euro 2024 Game in Frankfurt

UEFA has urged teams participating in Euro 2024 to minimize air travel as part of their sustainability efforts for the tournament.

With a commitment to making this summer’s event in Germany the greenest ever, UEFA is investing £25 million in various sustainability measures, including encouraging teams to opt for road or rail travel whenever feasible.

England’s Compliance with UEFA’s Guidelines

England’s national team, under the guidance of manager Gareth Southgate, has decided to adhere to UEFA’s directives.

This decision will see the players embark on a six-hour round trip by coach to their European Championship group game against Denmark in Frankfurt.

Despite the 180-mile distance from their training camp at the Golfresort Weimarer Land near Leipzig, England will make the journey by road in line with UEFA’s sustainability goals.

Challenges and Practicality of Coach Travel

While coach travel is relatively uncommon for elite players accustomed to quick flights for matches, the sustainability drive aims to reduce carbon emissions associated with air travel.

The FA’s decision means the players will face longer journey times, especially as their base camp is just 30 miles away from Erfurt-Weimar airport, offering a 31-minute flight to Frankfurt.

Impact on Players and Recovery

The late-night return from matches, as Southgate prefers, aims to ensure proper recovery for the players the following day.

Despite the late kick-off time of 6 pm, the team is expected to return to their base camp between midnight and 1 am.

The FA, along with other nations, must submit their travel plans to UEFA by 24 February.

Future Travel Plans and Sustainability

For the knockout stages, England’s travel plans are yet to be finalized, but due to the distances involved, further coach trips are unlikely.

The Olympic Stadium in Berlin, the venue for the final, is the only other nearby venue accessible by road, although it exceeds UEFA’s recommended three-hour travel limit.

This decision reflects the commitment of teams and organizers to promote sustainable practices in major sporting events.

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