Mass Gathering Events and COVID-19 Lessons Learnt from the 2020 European Football Championship

The authors describe steps taken by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and the World Health Organization's (WHO) Regional Office for Europe to plan for UEFA Euro 2020 (held during the pandemic). A WHO task force led disease surveillance before and during UEFA Euro 2020, monitored related data points in the 11 host countries, and developed a communication and community engagement strategy carried out through news and social media involving fans, athletes, event organizers and other stakeholders. Surveillance data helped host countries plan accordingly and distribute helpful information; having a team dedicated to monitoring data and updating the task force; and carrying out adaptive social listening and message testing with various audiences using several channels helped ensure a safer tournament.