Despite Northern Ireland missing out on the tournament, we have 12 things to keep you occupied
The Euros kick off on Friday — but sadly Northern Ireland will not be among the teams taking part.
The Belfast Telegraph has however gathered 12 other things for Northern Ireland fans to do over the next month.
An obvious one — watch the Euros anyway
Northern Ireland not being there doesn’t mean we can’t still enjoy the football on offer.
Germany and Scotland kick it all off on Friday night at 8pm.
Invite your mates round and host a Euro-themed party.
Just because the Green and White Army aren’t in it doesn’t mean we can’t support our Scottish neighbours.
Find your new favourite box set
It’s no coincidence that Bridgerton season 3, part 2 is premiering just a day before Euro 2024.
But if indulging in love stories from Regency Britain is not your thing and you still want to escape the NI no show at the tournament, Netflix, Disney Plus and Prime Video are all releasing plenty of new shows and seasons to keep you entertained.
Among the most anticipated dropping on streaming platforms over the next few weeks include The Bear season 3, which is coming to Disney Plus on June 27 and Netflix’s new drama, Gangs of Galicia, which will be available from June 21.
Get a sweepstake on the go
Is there a much better way to peak your interest in the Euros — without Northern Ireland involved — than a sweepstake?
Get your workmates, friends and family involved and the thought of a cash prize might be enough to get you fully immersed in the drama of the tournament.
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Plan a staycation
With all the football action being screened on the TV, it might be the perfect time to get outside and visit some of Northern Ireland’s hot spots.
Head up to Portrush, stay in one of their many hotels and enjoy the seaside views and seafood restaurants.
If you fancy a city break you could visit Londonderry and enjoy some shopping.
Or, if you want to fully embrace the country’s landscape and outdoors you could stay in one of Northern Ireland’s gorgeous glamping sites across the Mournes or Causeway Coast.
Swap the football boots for walking boots
Get those old walking boots out of the shed and put your day in at any of Northern Ireland’s best walking trails.
From the Mourne Mountains to Co Fermanagh’s Cuilcagh Mountain there are plenty to choose from.
We would all rather be walking to and from the glamorous football stadiums across Germany to see Michael O’Neill’s men take on one of Europe’s footballing giants, but you can tell the kids that Finn McCool is waiting for them at the Giant’s Causeway on the north coast.
Take a digital detox
Can’t stand the online heckling from England and Scotland fans making fun of Northern Ireland staying at home?
Delete the social media apps and take a break from it all.
Experts suggest staring at your phone probably isn’t the healthiest thing to do.
Most of our time online is spent scrolling through pointless videos on Facebook and Twitter.
You’ll be surprised how much extra time you’ll have on your hands — plenty of more hours to enjoy the football itself.
Go on a health drive
Inspired by the athletes on the pitch, the next four weeks could be an opportunity to focus on your health and getting more active.
Between the 5pm and 8pm kick-offs, you could head out for a walk or go to the gym to fill the time between games.
Set yourself the challenge of hitting the 10,000 step mark each day of the tournament and you should feel a lot better by the end of it.
Watch Love Island
The Euros and Love Island might be two very different things with two very different audiences, but they are also the only two things you will see people talking or tweeting about this summer.
If you have never watched the show you might be surprised by how addictive it can be, plus we might see a Northern Irish bombshell entering the villa at some stage, giving us that much needed NI representation on our screens.
Sing your heart out at Belsonic
Ideally we would all like to be chanting our support for NI at the Euros but listening to your favourite artists in Ormeau Park has to be a close second.
There are still plenty of tickets available for a range of gigs.
Instead of watching the opening Euros game you could be singing and dancing to Belters Only.
Or you could try your hand at getting resale tickets for some of the bigger gigs including Take That, Shania Twain and Scooter/ Ben Nicky.
Start following politics
The General Election is fast approaching on July 4 and it’s the perfect time to educate yourself on the parties and policies you support.
Aside from that though, following the politics can sometimes be just as interesting as watching the football.
We have heard some interesting stories during the campaign so far.
Rishi Sunak asked Welsh voters if they were excited for the Euros (despite Wales also missing out on qualifying).
When Nigel Farage isn’t getting milkshakes thrown at him he’s busy hitting the headlines in NI after endorsing Ian Paisley and Sammy Wilson over their TUV competitors — despite his Reform UK party already having an alliance with Jim Allister’s party.
There has even been YouTuber Niko Omilanas, who is standing for election in 11 different constituencies.
Head to Summerfest
You don’t have to go to the pub and watch the Euros to drink too much beer.
Custom House Square is hosting Summerfest (a summer time version of Octoberfest) every Thursday through Sunday from June 13-July 7.
There’s a range of different fun-filled themes; German Party, Thai Full Moon Party, Time Travel along with Country & Western.
Entry is free for students on Thursday and everyone on Sunday so it’s the perfect way to welcome in the summer without worrying about what’s going on at the Euros.
Relive Euro 2016
If none of the options above work for you, you could always take a trip down memory lane and rewatch Northern Ireland’s heroics from the Euros in France back in 2016.
Gareth McCauley scoring against Ukraine in Lyon is up there among one of the most iconic sporting moments the country has produced.
Of course, if you can’t find the full 90 minute matches you could sob your way looking through old photos of that unforgettable summer with Freed From Desire blasting in the background throughout the memorable journey.
