🔗 Share this article

The England national team will commence their 2028 European Championship adventure at the Manchester City’s stadium, on the condition that they secure the relatively straightforward passage for a championship taking place in the majority of the UK and the Irish Republic.

Manchester City’s home ground has not hosted an England men’s game since May 2016, when the visitors were defeated 2-1 in a warm-up game, but is almost certain to host the England side for their opening fixture on Saturday 10 June 2028.

The team are planned to play their concluding group fixtures at the national stadium, but, should they win the preliminary round, their last-16 tie would take place at St James’ Park. Finishing second would mean beginning the knockouts at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Championship Opening and Demonstration

The tournament was inaugurated at an gathering in Piccadilly Circus on Wednesday evening. High-ranking officials from the tournament organizers and the organizing bodies were confronted as they entered the venue by about 50 protesters, who demanded Israel’s national side to be removed from the sport because of the situation in Gaza.

Signs were held up with slogans stating “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while demonstrators chanted: “Kick Israel out.”

Event Timeline

The inaugural fixture of Euro 2028 will be held at the Cardiff’s stadium in Cardiff, on a Friday in June 2028, a fixture that will include the Welsh team if they qualify.

Wembley Stadium will host both semi-finals and the final, which will be played on a Sunday in July 2028 with a commencement at 5pm.

It is expected that an earlier kick-off, which will also be implemented for UEFA Champions League finals from next season, will cater to families and help engage a broader range of viewers.

Qualifying Teams

The Ireland are scheduled to play their opening match at the Dublin stadium and the Scottish team would play similarly at the national stadium of Scotland.

Each host nation’s squad will enter the qualifying tournament; two automatic spots will be reserved for any that fail to qualify for the finals through that route.

Stadiums and Playoffs

The Birmingham venue and Spurs’ ground complete the event’s nine venues. Each one will hold at least one playoff fixture, with the quarter-finals staged at each country’s national stadium.

The draw for the qualifiers will be staged in Belfast, which was excluded as a host city last year when it emerged the Belfast stadium could not be renovated in time, on a date in late 2026.

Tournament Vision

“The event will be a competition for the fans and a festival of everything we love about the sport – its fervor and ability to unite individuals.”

In excess of three million passes, a all-time high for a Euro tournament, are expected to be released to supporters.