The Tournament Requirements set out the general framework for an application to become a Host City. They set out how each city meets the UEFA/DFB requirements to host matches. Amongst other things, the so-called ambush marketing is also discussed. Ambush marketing is a type of unauthorised marketing in which the ambusher exploits the media attention of a major event for his own commercial purposes without being a sponsor of the event. These may be commercial promotions, marketing and distributions within the official venues e.g. distributing leaflets, products or product samples, street sales or commercial advertising. The purpose of so-called “clean zones” is to restrict such unauthorised commercial activity – its purpose is not connected to political or religious activity.    

Freedom of assembly is regulated in Article 8 of the Basic Law (“GG”). According to Art. 8 para. 1 GG all Germans have the right to assemble peacefully and without weapons without registration or permission. For assemblies in the open air, this right may be limited by law or by virtue of a law, Art. 8 para. 2 GG. An assembly is the local gathering of several people for a joint discussion or demonstration aimed at contributing to the formation of public opinion. An open-air assembly may be restricted by the provisions of the Federal Assembly Act (“VersG”). The VersG enjoys special law precedence over general police and public law. The Länder are also entitled to enact their own Assembly Act – Bavaria, Berlin, Hessen, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Schleswig-Holstein have made use of this option. In the other Länder, the VersG continues to apply until the enactment of a Land law. When restricting freedom of assembly, the principle of proportionality must always be respected and the special importance of fundamental rights must be observed.

The Tournament Requirements do not restrict the general freedom of assembly, which is protected by fundamental rights. As mentioned above, rather the concept of clean zones referred to in the Tournament Requirements are intended to address Ambush Marketing where the Ambusher aims to be commercially associated with a sporting event without being a sponsor himself. In most cases, the official sponsor and the ambusher are direct competitors. In this way, the ambusher wants to attract the attention of the spectators and distract them from the official sponsor. UEFA EURO 2024 shall, within the limits of the law, largely prevent any such conduct. Finally, with regard to the general freedom of assembly, it should be noted that at major events such as UEFA EURO 2024, the safety and security of other participants plays an important role when weighing the proportionality factor. Nevertheless, every demonstration must always weigh up security interests against the right to demonstrate on a case-by-case basis. A blanket evaluation is not permitted.

Freedom of assembly serves the realisation of freedom of expression. Freedom of expression, like freedom of the press, is a fundamental right of communication. These rights are specifically highlighted as fundamental democratic rights in the UEFA EURO 2024 Human Rights Declaration. Different opinions should be heard, respected and respected. This promotes an open, inclusive and respectful community. The UEFA EURO 2024 Human Rights Declaration provides the necessary framework for this (see UEFA EURO 2024 Declaration of Human Rights, p. 14 f.).