The English Team to Launch UEFA Euro 2028 Campaign at City’s Home Ground
England’s men’s team will commence their 2028 European Championship campaign at the Manchester City’s stadium, provided that they secure the expected qualification for a championship taking place in the majority of the UK and the Ireland.
The Etihad Stadium has not hosted an England men’s game since May 2016, when the Turkish team were beaten 2-1 in a warm-up game, but is highly likely to host the Three Lions for their first match on June 10, 2028.
The English side are scheduled to play their concluding group fixtures at the national stadium, but, in the event of winning their group, their last-16 tie would take place at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Placing second would mean commencing the playoffs at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Tournament Kickoff and Protest
The championship was launched at an ceremony in Piccadilly Circus on the previous evening. Senior figures from the tournament organizers and the organizing bodies were heckled as they arrived the location by around fifty activists, who demanded Israel to be removed from global football because of the Gaza crisis.
Banners were displayed with messages saying “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while demonstrators shouted: “Kick Israel out.”
Championship Fixture List
The first match of the European Championship will be staged at the Cardiff’s stadium in the Welsh capital, on a Friday in June 2028, a match that will involve Wales if they make it.
Wembley Stadium will host both semi-finals and the championship match, which will be played on a Sunday in July 2028 with a start time at 5:00 PM.
It is hoped that an earlier start, which will also be used for UEFA Champions League finals from next season, will attract households and help engage a wider spectrum of fans.
Participating Countries
The Ireland are scheduled to play their opening match at the Dublin stadium and Scotland would do the same at the national stadium of Scotland.
The national sides of all four hosts will take part in the preliminary stage; two reserved places will be reserved for any that do not reach the finals through the qualification path.
Venues and Knockout Stage
Villa Park and Spurs’ ground finalize the nine tournament locations. Each one will hold at least one knockout match, with the quarterfinal matches staged at each country’s national stadium.
The qualifying draw will be held in the Northern Irish capital, which was excluded as a venue city last year when it emerged the Belfast stadium could not be redeveloped in time, on a date in late 2026.
Official Statement
“This will be a tournament for the fans and a festival of everything we love about the sport – its emotion and power to foster unity.”
More than three million passes, a unprecedented number for a UEFA European Championship, are expected to be made available to supporters.
