The UEFA Euro 2016 logo was unveiled on 26 June 2013 in Paris, serving as the official emblem for the 15th edition of the European Championship, hosted by France from 10 June to 10 July 2016. The design was created by the Portuguese brand consultancy Brandia Central, which had previously designed the UEFA Euro 2012 logo. The identity was developed around the theme “Celebrating the art of football,” a concept intended to unite the creativity of French culture with the beauty of the game. [1]
Design and History
The logo was presented at the Pavillon Cambon Capucines in Paris by UEFA, with the design described as combining several artistic movements and football-related elements. The emblem is centered on the iconic Henri Delaunay Cup, the trophy awarded to the European champions, with various symbols recognizable around it. The blue, white and red of the French flag are woven into delicate lines and forms, producing a contemporary and sober style that gives the logo distinction and elegance. [1]
Brandia Central’s creative team was led by Miguel Viana as creative design master, with Patrick Santos, Carlos Constantino and Hélder Pombinho serving as main designers. [2] The agency described the round symbol as an eclectic mix of components, drawing from French art-inspired elements such as stars, strokes, lines, dots and figures, alongside football references including the trophy, field lines and hexagons, as well as icons of France such as the colors of the flag and the hexagonal shape that mirrors the country’s map. [2]
The visual identity extended beyond the logo itself. The surrounding brand graphics used bright colors to create a recognizable feel for the tournament, applied across stadium branding, broadcast graphics and interview backdrops. A dark blue background supergraphic carried different graphic elements along the “celebrating the art of football” theme, serving as a unifying device across the full identity. [3]
Meaning and Symbolism
The logo’s central placement of the Henri Delaunay Cup anchors the emblem in the tournament’s heritage. The French tricolor, blue, white and red, appears throughout the design, directly referencing the host nation. The theme “Celebrating the art of football” was not the official slogan of the tournament, but rather the inspirational concept behind the visual identity, according to UEFA. [1]
Brandia Central’s creative director Miguel Viana stated that the consultancy’s theme for 2016 brought together “the creativity which defines French culture with the beauty of the game.” [4] The agency further explained that the design aimed to capture a festive atmosphere, with magical player movements and colorful fan displays coexisting in a space waiting to be captured. [2]
Typography and Design
While the logo’s graphic construction is well documented, specific typographic details for the UEFA Euro 2016 emblem are not officially documented in available sources. The design is described by UEFA as combining delicate lines and forms with the French flag colors to produce a contemporary and sober style. [1] The logo also appeared as a sleeve patch on every player’s shirt worn during the tournament. [3]
Logo Index is an independent educational archive covering logos, visual identities and graphic design history. All trademarks and brand assets remain the property of their respective owners.
