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The English squad will commence their 2028 European Championship campaign at the Manchester City’s stadium, on the condition that they secure the expected passage for a competition taking place in the majority of the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

The Etihad Stadium has not hosted an English men’s match since the spring of 2016, when the visitors were beaten 2-1 in a friendly, but is almost certain to host the Three Lions for their opening fixture on June 10, 2028.

England are planned to play their last two group stage games at Wembley Stadium, but, if they top the preliminary round, their round of 16 match would be held at St James’ Park. Finishing second would mean commencing the elimination stage at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Competition Kickoff and Demonstration

The championship was unveiled at an ceremony in Piccadilly Circus on the previous evening. Senior figures from the tournament organizers and the organizing bodies were confronted as they approached the site by around fifty protesters, who called for the Israeli team to be removed from international football because of the conflict in Gaza.

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

Championship Timeline

The first match of Euro 2028 will be played at the Cardiff’s stadium in the Welsh capital, on a Friday in June 2028, a match that will feature the Dragons if they secure a place.

The national stadium will host the two semi-final matches and the final, which will be played on Sunday 9 July with a commencement at late afternoon.

It is expected that an afternoon start, which will also be adopted for UEFA Champions League finals from next season, will attract households and help reach a broader range of fans.

Participating Countries

The Irish team are scheduled to play their first game at the Aviva Stadium and Scotland would play similarly at Glasgow’s Hampden Park.

The national sides of all four hosts will participate in the qualifying tournament; two guaranteed slots will be reserved for any that fail to qualify for Euro 2028 through the standard process.

Locations and Playoffs

Aston Villa’s stadium and The North London arena round out the nine host stadiums. Each one will hold at least one elimination game, with the quarter-finals played at each country’s national stadium.

The qualification draw will be conducted in the Northern Irish capital, which was excluded as a venue city last year when it emerged the Belfast stadium could not be renovated in time, on December 6, 2026.

Official Statement

“This will be a championship for the supporters and a festival of everything we value about the football – its emotion and ability to bring people together.”

Over 3 million admissions, a all-time high for a UEFA European Championship, are expected to be offered to attendees.