Euro 2024 fan zones in Germany closed due to bad weather forecast

A general view of the Dusseldorf fan zone. The Euro 2024 fan zones in Dusseldorf and Dortmund will remain closed on Tuesday due to the forecast of heavy thunderstorms in the region, local authorities said. Federico Gambarini/dpa

The Euro 2024 fan zones in Dusseldorf and Dortmund will remain closed on Tuesday due to the forecast of heavy thunderstorms in the region, local authorities said.

Heavy gusts of wind and gales are expected, as well as heavy rain and hail with large grains.

Public viewing areas will also remain closed in Cologne and Gelsenkirchen.

In Dortmund, thousands of Turkish fans were expected to follow their national team's opener against Georgia in the fan zone at the Friedensplatz square and in the public viewing area at the Westfalenpark.

Up to 80,000 Turkish fans are said to be in Dortmund and planned to gather in the appropriate areas before the game. According to the Dortmund city authorities, planned events with the fan associations of both nations were also cancelled.

"Dortmund has been looking forward to and preparing for a big fan party with tens of thousands of Turkish and Georgian fans in the city. However, the safety of the fans in our city is our priority," said Martin Sauer, Dortmund's representative for Euro 2024.