The Three Lions to Launch UEFA Euro 2028 Campaign at the Etihad Stadium
England’s men’s team will embark on their Euro 2028 campaign at the the home of Manchester City, assuming they secure the anticipated passage for a championship hosted across most of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.
The Etihad Stadium has not hosted an Three Lions fixture since May 2016, when the Turkish team were overcome 2-1 in a friendly, but is expected to host the England side for their inaugural game on Saturday 10 June 2028.
England are set to play their final two group matches at Wembley Stadium, but, should they win the preliminary round, their last-16 tie would occur at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Placing second would mean beginning the playoffs at Everton’s ground.
Championship Opening and Demonstration
The championship was unveiled at an ceremony in a London landmark on Wednesday night. High-ranking officials from the tournament organizers and the host football associations were barracked as they arrived the location by around fifty protesters, who urged the Israeli team to be removed from international football because of the Gaza crisis.
Placards were raised with phrases reading “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while demonstrators chanted: “Kick Israel out.”
Championship Fixture List
The opening game of the tournament will be staged at the the national stadium of Wales in Cardiff, on a Friday in June 2028, a game that will involve Wales if they qualify.
Wembley Stadium will host both semi-finals and the title decider, which will be staged on Sunday 9 July with a kick-off time at late afternoon.
It is hoped that an earlier start, which will also be used for European club finals from the following campaign, will appeal to households and help engage a broader range of viewers.
Qualifying Teams
The Republic of Ireland are scheduled to play their opening match at the Dublin stadium and the Tartan Army would do the same at Glasgow’s Hampden Park.
The national sides of all four hosts will participate in the preliminary stage; two guaranteed slots will be held in reserve for any that do not reach the tournament through the qualification path.
Stadiums and Playoffs
Aston Villa’s stadium and Spurs’ ground finalize the nine tournament locations. All will hold at least one elimination game, with the quarter-finals held at each country’s national stadium.
The qualifying draw will be conducted in Belfast, which was removed as a venue city last year when it emerged the proposed venue could not be renovated in time, on December 6, 2026.
Official Statement
“The event will be a tournament for the supporters and a festival of everything we cherish about the sport – its passion and power to foster unity.”
In excess of three million admissions, a all-time high for a UEFA European Championship, are expected to be offered to supporters.
