The English Team to Launch Euro 2028 Campaign at City’s Home Ground
The English squad will embark on their 2028 European Championship journey at the Etihad Stadium, provided that they attain the expected entry for a tournament staged throughout most of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.
City’s stadium has not hosted an English men’s fixture since May 2016, when the Turkish team were defeated 2-1 in a friendly, but is almost certain to stage the national team for their first match on June 10, 2028.
England are set to play their last two group stage games at Wembley, but, should they win Group B, their knockout stage opener would occur at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Finishing second would mean starting the knockouts at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Tournament Opening and Protest
The event was inaugurated at an ceremony in Piccadilly Circus on Wednesday evening. Senior figures from European football’s governing body and the host football associations were heckled as they approached the venue by around fifty protesters, who called for the Israeli team to be expelled from global football because of the conflict in Gaza.
Signs were displayed with phrases stating “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while protesters called out: “Kick Israel out.”
Event Schedule
The first match of the tournament will be staged at the the national stadium of Wales in the Welsh capital, on Friday 9 June, a fixture that will feature the Dragons if they qualify.
Wembley Stadium will host the two semi-final matches and the title decider, which will be staged on Sunday 9 July with a commencement at late afternoon.
It is anticipated that an afternoon start, which will also be implemented for UEFA Champions League finals from next season, will appeal to households and help connect with a broader range of audiences.
Host Nations
The Irish team are set to play their opening match at the Aviva Stadium and the Tartan Army would play similarly at Glasgow’s Hampden Park.
The national sides of all four hosts will participate in the qualifying tournament; two reserved places will be set aside for any that do not reach the tournament through the standard process.
Locations and Elimination Phase
Villa Park and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium complete the event’s nine venues. Every stadium will hold at least one playoff fixture, with the quarterfinal matches held at every host’s main arena.
The qualifying draw will be conducted in the Northern Irish capital, which was removed as a tournament location last year when it was revealed Casement Park could not be redeveloped in time, on a date in late 2026.
Leadership Comment
“The event will be a tournament for the fans and a festival of everything we love about the football – its passion and capacity to unite individuals.”
More than three million tickets, a unprecedented number for a UEFA European Championship, are projected to be made available to attendees.
