The England national team will commence their Euro 2028 campaign at the Etihad Stadium, on the condition that they secure the expected passage for a championship taking place in the majority of the UK and the Ireland.
Manchester City’s home ground has not hosted an English men’s game since eight years ago, when Turkey were beaten 2-1 in a warm-up game, but is expected to stage the Three Lions for their inaugural game on Saturday 10 June 2028.
England are planned to play their last two group stage games at Wembley Stadium, but, should they win the preliminary round, their knockout stage opener would be held at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Placing second would mean starting the elimination stage at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The tournament was unveiled at an event in Piccadilly Circus on Wednesday night. High-ranking officials from the tournament organizers and the organizing bodies were barracked as they approached the venue by about 50 pro-Palestine demonstrators, who demanded Israel to be removed from global football because of the Gaza crisis.
Banners were displayed with phrases stating “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while protesters called out: “Kick Israel out.”
The first match of the tournament will be played at the the national stadium of Wales in Cardiff, on June 9, 2028, a match that will include Wales if they secure a place.
Wembley will host both semi-finals and the final, which will be staged on July 9, 2028 with a commencement at 5pm.
It is anticipated that an earlier start, which will also be adopted for Champions League finals from next season, will cater to families and help connect with a wider spectrum of viewers.
The Republic of Ireland are scheduled to play their initial fixture at the Aviva Stadium and Scotland would do the same at Hampden Park.
All four host countries’ teams will enter the preliminary stage; two automatic spots will be held in reserve for any that do not reach the tournament through that route.
Villa Park and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium round out the nine tournament locations. Each one will hold at least one elimination game, with the quarterfinal matches staged at each country’s national stadium.
The draw for the qualifiers will be held in the Northern Irish capital, which was removed as a venue city last year when it emerged the Belfast stadium could not be renovated in time, on 6 December 2026.
“The event will be a championship for the followers and a celebration of everything we value about the game – its passion and power to foster unity.”
In excess of three million passes, a all-time high for a Euro tournament, are anticipated to be offered to supporters.
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