All events in the Euro 2024 fan-zone in Cologne on Tuesday have been cancelled over fears of “severe weather” in the region.
Thousands of Scotland supporters have made their way to the city for the game against Switzerland on Wednesday night.
But a host of activities planned for the eve of the game will now no longer take place after an official storm warning was issued.
The venues Fan Zone at Heumarkt, Public Viewing at the Tanzbrunnen and the Football Experience will remain closed for the entire day.
The European Championship Rhine ferry service will also be suspended.
It comes with heavy rain, hail and gale force wind expected to hit Cologne throughout the day.
But STV meteorologist Sean Batty said better conditions are expected in time for Wednesday’s game.
“As of Tuesday morning there’s a narrow band of intense thundery rain which is sitting just east of Paris and over the coming hours will cross into Belgium and then into the Cologne and Dusseldorf region,” he said.
“The storms have already produced hundreds of lightning strikes which I would expect will continue as it drifts into Germany later this morning. The intense rainfall will also bring the risk of flooding.
“So Tuesday will be very wet, but the worst of the rain will start to ease this evening with much better conditions returning for Wednesday’s game.”
In a statement released on Tuesday EURO 2024 Festival said: “Due to an official storm warning from late morning with expected heavy rain, hail and heavy gusts of wind, all events and functions of the Host City Cologne associated with the European Championships have to be canceled for today, Tuesday, June 18, 2024.
“The venues Fan Zone at Heumarkt, Public Viewing at the Tanzbrunnen and the Football Experience will remain closed for the entire day. The European Championship Rhine ferry service will also be suspended.
“The necessary talks with the security partners were already held yesterday evening and the preparatory measures to secure the venues were initiated. The decision to cancel all events was made on Tuesday morning after further consultation with the German Weather Service.
“All events announced in advance as well as the various surprise performances will not take place.
The catering trade in Cologne city centre was already informed yesterday evening, June 17, 2024, to secure their outdoor catering accordingly.”
The fan zone was open at the weekend for Switzerland and Hungary fans during their Group A clash.
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