The UEFA EURO 2024 Get Trained Save Lives campaign - Promoting public health during mega sport events.

AIM: This report describes the organisation, implementation, and outcomes of the 'Get Trained Save Lives' (GTSL) campaign, held from 15 May to 31 July 2024, with peak activity during Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) EURO 2024 (14 June-14 July). Jointly led by the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) and UEFA, the campaign aimed to raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) and promote cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills among football fans during this Mega Sport Event (MSE).

METHODS

The campaign was built on four key elements: (1) self-directed online training; (2) gamified 45-min CPR sessions for football professionals; (3) media campaigns featuring prominent footballers; and (4) live, gamified CPR training booths in Fan Zones across ten German host cities, offering hands-on practice with real-time feedback. Performance metrics were collected during these activities.

RESULTS

By December 2024, GTSL had engaged 183,887 individuals: 77,387 completed the full online course; 9100 from elite football teams joined in-person training; over 40,000 engaged in Fan Zone CPR experiences; and 57,400 participated via brief interactions, satellite events, or social media. Online content reached 5 million users, with 4.7 million engagements. Gamified CPR sessions recorded a median performance score of 88/100, comparable to instructor-led outcomes.

CONCLUSION

GTSL effectively merged CPR training with edutainment and gamification, empowering football professionals and fans with lifesaving skills. Though confidence levels were not directly assessed, performance scores and participation levels showed learned CPR competences. Future MSEs can replicate this model to expand CPR awareness and improve bystander response.