Is there a third place play-off at Euro 2020? Why major tournament doesn't have a play-off
Denmark and Spain were narrowly beaten in the semi-finals – but will they battle it out for third place?
After a glittering tournament full of incredible moments, Euro 2020 reaches its conclusion tomorrow night with what is sure to be a nerve-shredding final: Italy v England. With two very tight semi-finals, will we get the chance to see the narrowly-beaten semi-finalists in action one more time in a third-place play-off?
Is there a third place play-off at Euro 2020?
Unlike the World Cup, Euro 2020 does not have a third-place play-off game.
Indeed, the European Championships is the only major international tournament that doesn't have a match to determine the third-placed team, with a play-off also existing in the Copa America and The African Cup of Nations.
- Read more: Italy v England prediction
Why doesn't Euro 2020 have a third and fourth place play-off game?
Interestingly, it wasn't always the case that there was no third-place play-off in the Euros, with the match being held from the first tournament in 1960 through to the 1980 tournament.
The decision to scrap the match came after the 1980 tournament suffered poor viewing figures, which led to a revamped format of the tournament.
The reason there was no room for a third-place play-off in the new format likely stemmed from a perceived lack of interest from the public, both in terms of spectators in the stadium and viewers watching on TV.
And in fact, it's worth noting that even in the tournaments where the game is still played it's often seen as something of an after-thought, with teams often fielding weaker sides.
By entering your details, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.
- For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 guides.
What is the format of Euro 2020?
Euro 2020 was the second European Championships to feature 24 teams, after a new format was introduced for Euro 2016 in France.
The tournament sees the teams split into six groups of four, with all the first and second-placed teams and the four best third-placed teams advancing to the knockout rounds – the round of 16, followed by the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and Euro 2020 final.
The tournament is also notable for having been the first to be held at various locations around Europe, with matches taking place in cities including Munich, Baku, and Budapest.
Both semi-finals and the finals were chosen to be played at Wembley – where England have played all but one of their games.
Want more Euro 2020 content? We’ve got you covered – read on to find out every Euros winner throughout the history of the tournament, how many fans are attending Euro 2020 games this year, how VAR is being used at Euro 2020, if you can still get tickets to Euro 2020, or why Euro 2020 is not called Euro 2021.
If you’re looking for something else to watch check out our TV Guide or visit our Sport hub for all the latest news.
Authors
Patrick Cremona is the Senior Film Writer at Radio Times, and looks after all the latest film releases both in cinemas and on streaming. He has been with the website since October 2019, and in that time has interviewed a host of big name stars and reviewed a diverse range of movies.
