The UEFA European Football Championship, commonly known as the UEFA European Championship and informally as the Euros, is the primary football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), determining the continental champion of Europe. Held every four years since 1960, in the even-numbered year between World Cup tournaments, it was originally called the European Nations' Cup, changing to the current name in 1968. History Setanta Sports (2000–2004) Coverage of the 2000 Euros was only available to Americans via pay-per-view. More specifically, via closed-circuit television, DirecTV, the DISH Network, and iNDemand cable pay-per-view. Viewers had the option of paying $20 per match, or $149 for the entire tournament. Setanta also charged bars $3,000 for the privilege to carry their coverage. This often meant a $20 cover charge. Fox Sports World did however, offer the rebroadcasts of games on a week-long delay. Pay-per-view was still the primary option come the 2004 Euros. This time, the price for the entire tournament was worth $179 while the price for bars rose to $4,000. Five live games were however, broadcast on Fox Sports World and Fox Sports Espanol. All quarters and semis would be broadcast on a five-day tape delay, with the final airing on a three-day delay. According to Setanta CEO Michael O'Rourke, they we offered the events to ESPN and Fox Sports Net. Setanta even offered to pay them to put it on, but there just was no appetite. ESPN/ABC (2008–2020) ESPN first aired the UEFA Euros in 2008 after reached a agreement with UEFA in December 2006. With UEFA wanting the reverberations of the Euros to reach an international audience, ESPN decided to broadcast all matches live and online in 2008. After receiving good reaction from viewers, ESPN and UEFA continued to work by becoming official broadcasters of 2012, 2016 and 2020 tournament. Distribution of match broadcasts 2008: ESPN (7 matches), ESPN2 (17 matches), ESPN Classic (5 matches), ABC (2 matches including final) 2012: ESPN (22 matches including Final), ESPN2 (9 matches) 2016: ESPN (39 matches including Final), ESPN2 (12 matches) 2020: ESPN (40 matches including Final), ESPN2 (6 matches), ABC (5 matches) Fox Sports (2024–present) In 2021, Fox Sports outbid ESPN for the rights of Euro 2024 and Euro 2028. On-air talent Notes The opening match of Euro 2016 between host France and Romania was switched to ESPN2 as