The Three Lions to Launch UEFA Euro 2028 Campaign at the Etihad Stadium
England’s men’s team will embark on their UEFA Euro 2028 journey at the the home of Manchester City, assuming they attain the relatively straightforward passage for a championship hosted across the majority of the UK and the Irish Republic.
City’s stadium has not welcomed an England men’s fixture since the spring of 2016, when the visitors were overcome 2-1 in a warm-up game, but is almost certain to host the England side for their inaugural game on Saturday 10 June 2028.
The team are scheduled to play their final two group matches at Wembley, but, should they win Group B, their last-16 tie would be held at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Finishing second would mean beginning the playoffs at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Competition Opening and Demonstration
The championship was inaugurated at an event in a London landmark on Wednesday night. High-ranking officials from the tournament organizers and the host FAs were heckled as they entered the venue by around fifty pro-Palestine demonstrators, who urged the Israeli team to be kicked out from international football because of the situation in Gaza.
Signs were held up with messages reading “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while protesters shouted: “Kick Israel out.”
Championship Fixture List
The inaugural fixture of the European Championship will be held at the the national stadium of Wales in the Welsh capital, on a Friday in June 2028, a fixture that will include the Welsh team if they qualify.
The national stadium will host both semi-finals and the final, which will be staged on a Sunday in July 2028 with a commencement at late afternoon.
It is hoped that an afternoon start, which will also be used for Champions League finals from next season, will attract family audiences and help reach a more diverse set of viewers.
Participating Countries
The Ireland are due to play their initial fixture at the Dublin stadium and the Scottish team would do the same at Glasgow’s Hampden Park.
All four host countries’ teams will enter the preliminary stage; two automatic spots will be held in reserve for any that fail to qualify for Euro 2028 through that route.
Venues and Playoffs
Villa Park and Spurs’ ground finalize the event’s nine venues. Each one will hold at least one knockout match, with the quarterfinal matches staged at every host’s main arena.
The qualifying draw will be conducted in Belfast, which was dropped as a venue city last year when it was revealed the Belfast stadium could not be upgraded in time, on December 6, 2026.
Leadership Comment
“This will be a championship for the supporters and a festival of everything we love about the sport – its fervor and ability to bring people together.”
Over 3 million passes, a unprecedented number for a UEFA European Championship, are projected to be released to attendees.