England to Start Euro 2028 Journey at the Etihad Stadium
The English squad will embark on their UEFA Euro 2028 campaign at the Manchester City’s stadium, assuming they attain the relatively straightforward entry for a tournament taking place in the majority of the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
Manchester City’s home ground has not hosted an Three Lions game since the spring of 2016, when Turkey were defeated 2-1 in a friendly, but is almost certain to welcome the Three Lions for their first match on Saturday 10 June 2028.
The English side are scheduled to play their concluding group fixtures at the national stadium, but, if they top the preliminary round, their round of 16 match would take place at St James’ Park. Securing the runner-up spot would mean starting the knockouts at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Championship Opening and Demonstration
The event was launched at an gathering in central London on Wednesday night. Senior figures from European football’s governing body and the organizing bodies were heckled as they entered the location by approximately 50 protesters, who urged the Israeli team to be kicked out from international football because of the Gaza crisis.
Signs were raised with messages saying “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while demonstrators chanted: “Kick Israel out.”
Event Schedule
The inaugural fixture of the European Championship will be played at the the national stadium of Wales in the Welsh capital, on a Friday in June 2028, a game that will include Wales if they make it.
The national stadium will host the two semi-final matches and the title decider, which will be held on Sunday 9 July with a start time at 5pm.
It is expected that an earlier kick-off, which will also be adopted for European club finals from next season, will cater to families and help engage a more diverse set of fans.
Host Nations
The Irish team are due to play their opening match at the Dublin stadium and Scotland would play similarly at Glasgow’s Hampden Park.
Each host nation’s squad will take part in the qualifying tournament; two reserved places will be reserved for any that miss out on the finals through the qualification path.
Locations and Elimination Phase
The Birmingham venue and Spurs’ ground round out the nine tournament locations. Every stadium will hold at least one elimination game, with the quarterfinal matches held at each country’s national stadium.
The qualifying draw will be held in the Northern Irish capital, which was excluded as a tournament location last year when it emerged the Belfast stadium 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 cherish about the football – its emotion and capacity to unite individuals.”
In excess of three million passes, a all-time high for a men’s European Championship, are projected to be offered to attendees.
