The England national team will commence their UEFA Euro 2028 adventure at the Etihad Stadium, assuming they achieve the anticipated qualification for a championship staged throughout the bulk of Britain and the Irish Republic.
City’s stadium has not welcomed an English men’s game since the spring of 2016, when the Turkish team were beaten 2-1 in a warm-up game, but is expected to host the Three Lions for their first match on June 10, 2028.
The team are planned to play their last two group stage games at the national stadium, but, in the event of winning the preliminary round, their round of 16 match would occur at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Securing the runner-up spot would mean starting the knockouts at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Tournament Opening and Rally
The tournament was launched at an ceremony in central London on Wednesday night. Key representatives from European football’s governing body and the organizing bodies were confronted as they approached the location by approximately 50 activists, who demanded Israel’s national side to be kicked out from global football because of the situation in Gaza.
Signs were held up with messages reading “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while activists shouted: “Kick Israel out.”
Championship Fixture List
The opening game of the tournament will be held at the Cardiff’s stadium in the Welsh capital, on June 9, 2028, a game that will feature Wales if they make it.
The national stadium will host the penultimate rounds and the championship match, which will be staged on Sunday 9 July with a start time at 5pm.
It is anticipated that an earlier kick-off, which will also be adopted for UEFA Champions League finals from next season, will appeal to families and help reach a wider spectrum of audiences.
Participating Countries
The Ireland are due to play their first game at the Dublin stadium and Scotland would follow suit at the national stadium of Scotland.
All four host countries’ teams will take part in the qualifying tournament; two reserved places will be reserved for any that miss out on Euro 2028 through that route.
Stadiums and Elimination Phase
Aston Villa’s stadium and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium finalize the nine host stadiums. All will hold at least one playoff fixture, with the quarterfinal matches held at each country’s national stadium.
The qualifying draw will be held in Belfast, which was removed as a host city last year when it emerged the proposed venue could not be renovated in time, on a date in late 2026.
Official Statement
“It will be a championship for the supporters and a celebration of everything we cherish about the game – its passion and power to bring people together.”
More than three million tickets, a record for a UEFA European Championship, are expected to be released to attendees.
