Can a Soccer Tournament Revive Cities Across Europe?

Henry Grabar celebrates the recent decision by UEFA, European soccer's governing body, to hold their 2020 tournament in cities across the continent, rather than in one or two countries as has been the tradition.

2 minute read

December 13, 2012, 9:00 AM PST

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


Even if UEFA's decision hasn't been popular with fans, some of whom labeled it "Euro 2020: Sponsored by RyanAir," Grabar believes the novel format for a "Euro for Europe" could help spread the positive benefits associated with such events, without the financial risk commonly required. "The European Championship, like the Olympics and the World Cup, requires its hosts to make massive investments in infrastructure," says Grabar. "The value of such competitions, with their immediate benefits and deferred costs, is a matter of debate, particularly when it comes to the oft-unused sporting facilities."

"Hopefully," he argues, "the new format will see improvements in transportation and facilities spread out among cities in a half-dozen countries, easing the financial burden, dividing the benefits, and opening up the scope of the competition. For the first time we could see matches of huge importance in Sofia, Dublin, Tallinn, Copenhagen, or other cities in small countries. By splitting the costs into more manageable portions, the Euro for Europe gives smaller countries a chance to compete."

Grabar even believes the format could improve the fan experience and the product on the pitch. "The advantages of such a situation aren't just economic for the hosts and visitors alike. Making it easier for the majority of fans to attend games would improve the quality of the tournament. A truly neutral venue is the bane of an exciting match."

Tuesday, December 11, 2012 in The Atlantic Cities

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

"Altadena - Not For Sale" yard sign in front of burned down house after Eaton Fire in Altadena, California in January 2025.

Half of Post-Fire Altadena Home Sales Were to Corporations

Large investors are quietly buying up dozens of properties in Altadena, California, where a devastating wildfire destroyed more than 6,000 homes in January.

July 7 - Dwell

Dense multistory residential buildings in hilly San Francisco, California.

Opinion: What San Francisco’s Proposed ‘Family Zoning’ Could Really Mean

Mayor Lurie is using ‘family zoning’ to encourage denser development and upzoning — but could the concept actually foster community and more human-scale public spaces?

July 7 - The San Francisco Standard

Blue self-driving Ford Transit van shuttle in Jacksonville, Florida.

Jacksonville Launches First Autonomous Transit Shuttle in US

A fleet of 14 fully autonomous vehicles will serve a 3.5-mile downtown Jacksonville route with 12 stops.

July 7 - Smart Cities Dive

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA