The Three Lions to Start Euro 2028 Campaign at the Etihad Stadium
The England national team will initiate their Euro 2028 campaign at the Manchester City’s stadium, assuming they attain the anticipated entry for a competition hosted across the bulk of Britain and the Ireland.
The Etihad Stadium has not hosted an English men’s match since eight years ago, when the visitors were beaten 2-1 in a exhibition match, but is almost certain to stage the England side for their first match on Saturday 10 June 2028.
England are planned to play their concluding group fixtures at Wembley Stadium, but, should they win the preliminary round, their round of 16 match would be held at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Finishing second would mean beginning the knockouts at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Championship Launch and Demonstration
The tournament was inaugurated at an ceremony in a London landmark on Wednesday night. Key representatives from the tournament organizers and the host FAs were heckled as they approached the site by approximately 50 protesters, who urged Israel to be expelled from the sport because of the conflict in Gaza.
Placards were raised with phrases reading “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while demonstrators called out: “Kick Israel out.”
Championship Schedule
The first match of Euro 2028 will be held at the the national stadium of Wales in Cardiff, on June 9, 2028, a match that will involve the Dragons if they make it.
The national stadium will host both semi-finals and the championship match, which will be staged on a Sunday in July 2028 with a start time at late afternoon.
It is expected that an earlier start, which will also be used for UEFA Champions League finals from the following campaign, will attract households and help engage a more diverse set of viewers.
Participating Countries
The Ireland are scheduled to play their opening match at the Dublin stadium and the Tartan Army would do the same at the national stadium of Scotland.
Each host nation’s squad will take part in the qualifying tournament; two automatic spots will be reserved for any that fail to qualify for the finals through that route.
Stadiums and Knockout Stage
Villa Park and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium complete the nine tournament locations. All will hold at least one knockout match, with the quarter-finals held at the national stadium of each host.
The draw for the qualifiers will be conducted in Belfast, which was dropped as a venue city last year when it emerged the Belfast stadium could not be upgraded in time, on a date in late 2026.
Tournament Vision
“This will be a competition for the supporters and a festival of everything we value about the football – its emotion and ability to foster unity.”
More than three million tickets, a record for a UEFA European Championship, are anticipated to be released to attendees.
