🔗 Share this article

The English squad will embark on their Euro 2028 adventure at the Manchester City’s stadium, on the condition that they attain the expected qualification for a championship hosted across the majority of the UK and the Irish Republic.

Manchester City’s home ground has not welcomed an Three Lions fixture since May 2016, when the Turkish team were defeated 2-1 in a warm-up game, but is expected to welcome the Three Lions for their opening fixture on June 10, 2028.

England are scheduled to play their last two group stage games at the national stadium, but, if they top their group, their knockout stage opener would occur at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Finishing second would mean starting the elimination stage at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Competition Opening and Demonstration

The championship was launched at an event in a London landmark on Wednesday night. Key representatives from Uefa and the host football associations were confronted as they arrived the site by about 50 activists, who called for Israel to be kicked out from global football because of the situation in Gaza.

Banners were displayed with phrases stating “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while protesters shouted: “Kick Israel out.”

Tournament Schedule

The opening game of the tournament will be played at the the national stadium of Wales in Cardiff, on June 9, 2028, a fixture that will involve the Welsh team if they secure a place.

Wembley will host the penultimate rounds and the title decider, which will be staged on a Sunday in July 2028 with a kick-off time at late afternoon.

It is expected that an earlier start, which will also be used for European club finals from next season, will attract family audiences and help engage a more diverse set of viewers.

Qualifying Teams

The Ireland are scheduled to play their initial fixture at the Dublin Arena and the Tartan Army would play similarly at Glasgow’s Hampden Park.

All four host countries’ teams will enter the qualifying tournament; two reserved places will be set aside for any that do not reach Euro 2028 through the standard process.

Venues and Knockout Stage

Villa Park and Spurs’ ground finalize the event’s nine venues. Every stadium will hold at least one playoff fixture, with the quarterfinal matches held at each country’s national stadium.

The draw for the qualifiers will be conducted in the Northern Irish capital, which was excluded as a venue city last year when it emerged the proposed venue could not be upgraded in time, on a date in late 2026.

Official Statement

“It will be a tournament for the supporters and a festival of everything we love about the football – its passion and capacity to bring people together.”

In excess of three million admissions, a unprecedented number for a Euro tournament, are expected to be offered to attendees.