Lasting memories: the EURO 2024 benches in Düsseldorf

After the final whistle of UEFA EURO 2024, Düsseldorf's EURO motto ‘Everybody's Heimspiel’ will go into extra time. Flags, banners and fan zone materials were used to make 17 benches, which have now found a permanent home in 17 district sports facilities. 

On 14 July 2024, Spain became European champions with a 2-1 victory over England at Berlin's Olympic Stadium. Five UEFA EURO 2024 matches were played in the host city of Düsseldorf, with around 300,000 visitors cheering on the teams in Düsseldorf's fan zones. Part of ‘Everbody's Heimspiel’ will now continue to commemorate the European Championship in the state capital in the form of EURO 2024 benches in 17 district sports facilities. What makes these benches special is that they are made from original EURO 2024 materials and have been upcycled. 

Around two tonnes of material were used to create 17 of these EURO benches using a special process developed by partner Vive Texcellence. Among other things, 450 flags and banners, construction fence coverings and numerous other elements used to cover underground station entrances and fan zones were processed. During the EURO, these contributed to the visual appearance of the city as part of the ‘City Dressing’ programme.

The material mix also included flags and large banners used by UEFA choreographer Waldek Szymkowiak for the opening ceremonies of the five matches held in Düsseldorf.

Materials that could not be reused were recycled. Some of the plastic waste was converted into granulate to be used for printing 3D objects. A very small portion was used for the medal packaging for the Rhine-Ruhr Games. 

How the EURO 2024 benches were made

For each EURO 2024 bench, around 120 kilograms of mixed waste, mainly textiles, was processed into a so-called eco-mass. To do this, the flags, banners and foils were first shredded. In the next step, the eco-mass was reshaped into the components of the benches using a pressurised process involving fungi. The advantage of this process is that the material can be reused in the future. The bench produced in this way could eventually be turned into a flower pot or something else. Once the eco-mass has been pressed into shape, it can be processed like wood.

The 17 EURO 2024 benches are now located in 17 district sports facilities in the Düsseldorf city area. They can be recognised by the Host City logo and will hopefully remind all sports enthusiasts in Düsseldorf of ‘Everybody's Heimspiel’ in Düsseldorf for a long time to come.