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The England national team will initiate their Euro 2028 adventure at the Etihad Stadium, assuming they achieve the anticipated qualification for a competition taking place in the majority of the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

The Etihad Stadium has not staged an Three Lions fixture since the spring of 2016, when the Turkish team were overcome 2-1 in a exhibition match, but is almost certain to host the England side for their first match on Saturday 10 June 2028.

The team are planned to play their last two group stage games at Wembley, but, if they top the preliminary round, their round of 16 match would be held at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Placing second would mean commencing the knockouts at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Tournament Launch and Demonstration

The championship was unveiled at an ceremony in Piccadilly Circus on the previous evening. Senior figures from the tournament organizers and the organizing bodies were heckled as they entered the venue by around fifty activists, who urged Israel to be kicked out from international football because of the Gaza crisis.

Signs were raised with messages saying “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while activists shouted: “Kick Israel out.”

Event Schedule

The first match of the tournament will be staged at the Cardiff’s stadium in Cardiff, on a Friday in June 2028, a game that will feature the Welsh team if they qualify.

Wembley will host the two semi-final matches and the championship match, which will be played on a Sunday in July 2028 with a start time at 5pm.

It is hoped that an earlier kick-off, which will also be adopted for UEFA Champions League finals from next season, will cater to households and help engage a wider spectrum of fans.

Qualifying Teams

The Republic of Ireland are due to play their first game at the Aviva Stadium and the Tartan Army would follow suit at Glasgow’s Hampden Park.

All four host countries’ teams will enter the qualification process; two reserved places will be reserved for any that do not reach Euro 2028 through that route.

Stadiums and Knockout Stage

Aston Villa’s stadium and The North London arena complete the nine host stadiums. Every stadium will hold at least one playoff fixture, with the quarter-finals played at the national stadium of each host.

The qualification draw 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.

Leadership Comment

“The event will be a championship for the followers and a celebration of everything we cherish about the sport – its emotion and ability to bring people together.”

In excess of three million admissions, a record for a UEFA European Championship, are projected to be made available to supporters.