The England national team will commence their UEFA Euro 2028 adventure at the Etihad Stadium, assuming they attain the anticipated entry for a competition taking place in the majority of the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
City’s stadium has not welcomed an England men’s fixture since May 2016, when Turkey were defeated 2-1 in a warm-up game, but is almost certain to welcome the Three Lions for their opening fixture on a Saturday in June 2028.
England are planned to play their concluding group fixtures at Wembley Stadium, but, in the event of winning their group, their knockout stage opener would be held at St James’ Park. Placing second would mean starting the knockouts at Everton’s ground.
The tournament was unveiled at an event in central London on Wednesday night. Key representatives from the tournament organizers and the host football associations were confronted as they entered the site by about 50 pro-Palestine demonstrators, who called for Israel’s national side to be kicked out from global football because of the conflict in Gaza.
Signs were displayed with messages saying “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while protesters shouted: “Kick Israel out.”
The inaugural fixture of the tournament will be staged at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, on Friday 9 June, a fixture that will feature Wales if they make it.
The national stadium will host the penultimate rounds and the title decider, which will be played on a Sunday in July 2028 with a commencement at late afternoon.
It is anticipated that an afternoon start, which will also be implemented for Champions League finals from next season, will appeal to families and help reach a broader range of audiences.
The Ireland are due to play their initial fixture at the Dublin Arena and the Scottish team would play similarly at Hampden Park.
Each host nation’s squad will take part in the preliminary stage; two guaranteed slots will be held in reserve for any that fail to qualify for the finals through that route.
Aston Villa’s stadium and Spurs’ ground complete the nine tournament locations. All will hold at least one knockout match, with the last eight held at each country’s national stadium.
The qualifying draw will be staged in the Northern Irish capital, which was removed as a tournament location last year when it was revealed Casement Park could not be upgraded in time, on 6 December 2026.
“It will be a championship for the fans and a showcase of everything we love about the sport – its passion and power to bring people together.”
Over 3 million passes, a unprecedented number for a UEFA European Championship, are projected to be offered to fans.
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