There is a lot of talk about if Euro 2020 could happen but no one has looked at if the tournament did go ahead how would the tournament unfold. If the format from the USA 94 World Cup is used which had 24 teams and only used 9 stadiums it easy enough to work out the groups. 2 groups would be in Ireland, 2 groups in Scotland and 2 groups in Wales with some games been played in Celtic Park to take the pressure off the Welsh. This situation would avoid the need for fans to travel much until the quarter finals when there would be less fans at that stage of the tournament.
The following 10 stadiums could be used for the tournament:
Ireland:
Croke Park (73,500) - 5 games
Aviva Stadium (51,000) - 6 games
Pairc Ui Chaoimh (50,000) - 4 games
Scotland:
Hampden Park (52,000) - 8 games
Celtic Park (60,000) - 4 games
Murrayfield Stadium (67,000) - 6 games
Aberdeen Stadium (30,000) - 4 games
Wales:
Millenium Stadium (74,500) - 8 games
Cardiff Stadium (30,000) - 3 games
Liberty Stadium (30,000) - 4 games
So what are the stadium issues in Ireland:
1. GAA wont leave them use Croke Park stadium during the championship season.
A. The only games played in Croke Park during June are the Leinster football quarter finals and semi finals which were held on 5 June (41,000) and 26 June (58,000) in 2011. Both these games could easily be held in other provincial grounds (Portlaoise, Navan, etc). Plus the money gained from Euro 2020 would massively benefit the GAA to develop their own game.
2. Could Pairc Ui Chaoimh in Cork be used:
Pairc Ui Chaoimh received planning permission a couple of months ago to develop a 50,000 all seater stadium. The architects designing the stadium are the same ones that designed the Aviva stadium (UEFA elite stadium) so they would know whats is required to meet UEFA minimum standards to hold a tournament. The GAA would have to amend Rule 42 but the money gained from games held in the stadium it should get the go ahead.
All Munster GAA championship games held during that time could be held in other provincial grounds like Thurles, Limerick and Killarney.
Issues in Scotland:
1. Need to bring Aberdeen stadium up to 30,000 seater:
Aberdeen are in the process of developing a stadium and would need to probably design a stadium that could hold 30,000 for Euro 2020 and then reduce it back to 20,000 for the SPL to make it feasible but thats the only issue in Scotland.
Issues in Wales:
1 Bring Swansea and Cardiff City Stadium up to 30,000.
Cardiff City Stadium is already at 26,500 and the stadium was designed so that it could be easily brought up to 30,000 which is planned for future development. With Swansea in the Premiership (or championship) they regularly sell out their 20,000 seater stadium. They could definately cater a 30,000 seater in their city.
So if the tournament starts on the 8th June this is what it would look like. No two games would be held in the same city on the same day. The opening game should be in Croke Park with the semi´s in Hampden and Millenium. Final in Millenium (best stadium). The reason the opening ceremony would be in Croke Park is because Euro 2020 could give the stadium back to the GAA after the last 16 games.
Group A:
Rep. of Ireland
Russia
Spain
Sweden
Jun 8 Rep. of Ireland v Sweden ..................Croke Park
Jun 9 Spain v Russia ................................Aviva Stadium
Jun 12 Rep. of Ireland v Spain ...................Croke Park
Jun 13 Russia v Sweden ...........................Pairc Ui Chaoimh
Jun 17 Rep. of Ireland v Russia ..................Croke Park
Jun 17 Spain v Sweden ............................Pairc Ui Chaoimh
Group B:
France
Denmark
Romania
Switzerland
Jun 10 France v Switzerland .....................Pairc Ui Chaoimh
Jun 11 Romania v Denmark .......................Aviva Stadium
Jun 15 Switzerland v Romania ...................Croke Park
Jun 16 France v Denmark ........................Aviva Stadium
Jun 20 Denmark v Switzerland ..................Aviva Stadium
Jun 20 Romania v France ........................Pairc Ui Chaoimh
Group C:
Scotland
Portugal
Greece
Bulgaria
Jun 12 Scotland v Bulgaria ........................Hampden Park
Jun 12 Portugal v Greece ..........................Murrayfield Stadium
Jun 16 Portugal v Bulgaria .........................Murrayfield Stadium
Jun 17 Scotland v Greece .........................Celtic Park
Jun 21 Bulgaria v Greece ...........................Murrayfield Stadium
Jun 21 Scotland v Portugal ........................Hampden Park
Group D:
Germany
Croatia
Poland
Austria
Jun 9 Germany v Croatia .....................Aberdeen
Jun 10 Poland v Austria ......................Hampden Park
Jun 13 Germany v Poland ....................Aberdeen
Jun 14 Croatia v Austria .....................Murrayfield Stadium
Jun 18 Poland v Croatia ......................Aberdeen
Jun 18 Germany v Austria ....................Hampden Park
Group E:
Wales
Italy
Norway
Ukraine
Jun 8 Wales v Italy ......................Millenium Stadium
Jun 9 Norway v Ukraine .................Liberty Stadium
Jun 14 Wales v Norway .................Millenium Stadium
Jun 15 Italy v Ukraine ...................Cardiff City Stadium
Jun 19 Italy v Norway ...................Liberty Stadium
Jun 19 Wales v Ukraine .................Millenium Stadium
Group F:
England
Holland
Belgium
Czech Rep
Jun 10 England v Belgium ....................Cardiff City Stadium
Jun 11 Holland v Czech Rep .................Liberty Stadium
Jun 15 Belgium v Holland .....................Celtic Park
Jun 16 England v Czech Rep ................Millenium Stadium
Jun 22 England v Holland .....................Celtic Park
Jun 22 Czech Rep v Belgium ................Cardiff City Stadium
Second Round:
Jun 24 Rep. of Ireland v Poland ...............Croke Park
Jun 24 Spain v Switzerland .....................Aberdeen
Jun 25 Denmark v Italy ..........................Liberty Stadium
Jun 25 France v Portugal .......................Aviva Stadium
Jun 26 Russia v Croatia .........................Celtic Park
Jun 26 Germany v Wales .......................Millenium Stadium
Jun 27 Scotland v Holland .....................Hampden Park
Jun 27 England v Greece .......................Murrayfield Stadium
Quarter Finals:
Jul 1 Rep. of Ireland v France ...............Aviva Stadium
Jul 1 Spain v Russia ............................Murrayfield Stadium
Jul 2 Italy v Germany ..........................Millenium Stadium
Jul 2 Scotland v England ......................Hampden Park
Semi Finals:
Jul 5 ??????? v ?????? ........................Millenium Stadium
Jul 5 ??????? v ?????? ........................Hampden Park
3rd / 4th place play-off:
Jul 8 ??????? v ???????? ....................Hampden Park
Final:
Jul 9 ??????? v ???????? ....................Millenium Stadium
The financial benefits to the country would be massive and it would bring a lot of excitement to each country as well. I don´t think it would cost a lot to get the stadiums up to standard for what would be a fantastic tournament. Bring on Euro 2020.