Why there no are early Euro 2024 games today as fans must wait until 8pm

Fans will have their patience tested today as the Euro 2024 fixture schedule changes…

We have been treated to tonnes of football over the first week of this summer’s showpiece tournament in Germany.

However, that luxury comes to an end this weekend with the group stages reaching their climax.

Matchday Three marks the last few group fixtures and it also marks the end of three games per day…

Why are there no early games on Sunday?

Today, there are only two games scheduled with Scotland facing Hungary and Germany taking on Switzerland.

And they both start at the same time – 8pm – as Group A reaches its conclusion.

It is the first time at Euro 2024 that two fixtures will clash and it’s going to force fans to have to pick one to tune-in to.

The late kick-off also means no afternoon football, which hasn’t happened since the opening game of the tournament, with games being played at 2pm and 5pm beforehand.

But why is this the case?

There is no early kick-off to allow the four teams taking part to get some extra rest in following their second group game.

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They all played on Wednesday evening, with Scotland vs Switzerland the 8pm, so they need at least three full days to rest and recover.

As well as that, in the final group games, all teams in each group have to play at the same time.

This is so no-one gets the advantage of knowing what result they may need before kicking off.

So the games have been scheduled by UEFA for 8pm, leaving fans without any action earlier on.

It is the same plan for Monday’s games, but luckily, there is a treat on Tuesday evening.

There will be FOUR games in one day, with Group C and Group D completing their matches at 5pm and 8pm.

First though, is the absence of an early kick-off today but we have you covered for the evening’s games.

Scotland’s must-win clash against Hungary will be live on talkSPORT while already-qualified Germany take on Switzerland on talkSPORT 2.

talkSPORT will bring you live commentary of EVERY game at Euro 2024. Tune in via the website or the app, and follow our live Euro 2024 blog for all the latest news, views and reaction to the big moments.