That is the opinion of tournament director Martin Kallen, reflecting on whether the decision to have 24 teams in the finals, as opposed to 16, has been a success.
Tournament debutants Wales have made it through to the semi-finals, while Northern Ireland and Iceland both reached the knockout stages.
And Kallen believes such exploits will inspire a generation.
I think there will be a boom in those countries and we will see more kids there playing football, he said.
"People were anxious the format might not work but it has worked.
"We have seen two teams going further than anybody believed they would and that's positive."
Should Wales historic run in the tournament continue with victory against Portugal tonight, Kallen has urged the players not to celebrate with their families on the pitch.
Talisman Gareth Bale and captain Ashley Williams were among those in the squad to have taken their children from the stands and onto the playing surface after winning knockout matches against Northern Ireland and Belgium.
But Kallen believes such a practice compromises safety.
"It is a European Championship not a family party," he added.
"A stadium is not the most safe place for small kids.
"Small kids of five, six years, if something happened, what do you do afterwards? What do you say?
"From our side there should be a certain order.
"People with accreditation cards should be on the pitch and not more."
Sportsbeat 2016
Source: Sportsbeat
