Euro 2024 mascot unveiled

With less than a year to go to Euro 2024, UEFA unveiled the official mascot for the tournament at an event in the city of Gelsenkirchen.

The giant bear is as yet unnamed with fans being able to christen the mascot via a UEFA online poll with four options being available: Albärt, Bärnardo, Bärnheart, and Herzi von Bär. The German word ‘Bär’ (bear) forming the core of the mascot’s name.

The mascot will form part of a UEFA #MakeMoves campaign designed to get children active while encouraging them to develop a love of football and its values with the mascot set to tour German schools.

The mascot will also lead an educational video series alongside European social media influencers, addressing topics such as training, nutrition and well-being.

Less screen time

Philipp Lahm (Euro 2024 tournament director and former German captain), said, “Football sparks an incredible power that promotes teamwork, perseverance and a healthy, active lifestyle, all while having fun. As a parent, I know how important it is to stimulate children’s imagination. With the launch of our tournament mascot, we hope to create a fun and likeable character that will inspire them to enjoy playing football.

Especially in today’s digital age, it is important to go where our youth spend a lot of their time and offer them added value. That is football, the motion and thrill of being on the pitch, the team spirit and cohesion in the team, as well as the joy of improving skills and developing creativity with the ball. This is what the tournament mascot will encourage.”