France-Romania to open Euro 2016
2.5 million spectators from across Europe are expected in France over a month, with hotel rates soaring
FRANCE will play Romania at the Stade de France in the opening match of next summer's Euro 2016 tournament, which will be played out at 10 venues across the country.
The hosts' first match will be on June 10, followed by France-Albania on June 15 in Marseille and France-Switzerland on June 19 in Lille. The final will be held at the Stade de France on 10 July.
The six groups have been confirmed as follows:
Group A: France, Albania, Romania, Switzerland
Group B: England, Wales, Slovakia, Russia
Group C: Germany, Northern Ireland, Poland, Ukraine
Group D: Spain, Turkey, Czech Republic, Croatia
Group E: Belgium, Ireland, Sweden, Italy
Group F: Portugal, Iceland, Hungary, Austria
England's first match will be against Russia on June 11 in Marseille, followed by Wales on June 16 in Lens and Slovakia in Saint-Etienne on June 20.
With 2.5 million supporters from across Europe expected to converge on France for a month, hotels have already put their prices up. Average rates are 180% higher in Saint-Etienne, 108% in Lille and 103% in Bordeaux.
