🔗 Share this article

The English squad will embark on their 2028 European Championship adventure at the Manchester City’s stadium, assuming they secure the expected passage for a championship hosted across most of the United Kingdom and the Irish Republic.

The Etihad Stadium has not hosted an England men’s game since eight years ago, when Turkey were beaten 2-1 in a exhibition match, but is expected to host the Three Lions for their opening fixture on a Saturday in June 2028.

The team are scheduled to play their final two group matches at Wembley, but, should they win their group, their knockout stage opener would occur at the Newcastle stadium. Securing the runner-up spot would mean beginning the knockouts at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Tournament Launch and Rally

The tournament was unveiled at an event in a London landmark on Wednesday evening. Senior figures from European football’s governing body and the host football associations were confronted as they approached the location by about 50 protesters, who called for the Israeli team to be expelled from the sport because of the Gaza crisis.

Banners were displayed with slogans reading “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while protesters called out: “Kick Israel out.”

Championship Timeline

The opening game of the tournament will be staged at the Principality Stadium in the Welsh capital, on June 9, 2028, a match that will include the Welsh team if they make it.

The national stadium will host the penultimate rounds and the title decider, which will be held on July 9, 2028 with a start time at 5:00 PM.

It is expected that an afternoon start, which will also be adopted for Champions League finals from the upcoming season, will attract households and help connect with a wider spectrum of fans.

Participating Countries

The Ireland are scheduled to play their initial fixture at the Dublin stadium and the Scottish team would play similarly at Hampden Park.

Each host nation’s squad will participate in the qualification process; two reserved places will be reserved for any that miss out on the finals through that route.

Venues and Elimination Phase

Aston Villa’s stadium and Spurs’ ground finalize the nine host stadiums. Every stadium will hold at least one playoff fixture, with the quarter-finals held at the national stadium of each host.

The draw for the qualifiers will be held in the Northern Irish capital, which was removed as a venue city last year when it was revealed the Belfast stadium could not be redeveloped in time, on a date in late 2026.

Leadership Comment

“The event will be a tournament for the fans and a celebration of everything we love about the football – its passion and ability to foster unity.”

In excess of three million passes, a record for a UEFA European Championship, are anticipated to be released to supporters.