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The English squad will initiate their UEFA Euro 2028 campaign at the Etihad Stadium, on the condition that they secure the anticipated entry for a championship staged throughout most of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.

City’s stadium has not staged an England men’s fixture since eight years ago, when the Turkish team were overcome 2-1 in a warm-up game, but is highly likely to welcome the Three Lions for their opening fixture on Saturday 10 June 2028.

The English side are scheduled to play their concluding group fixtures at Wembley, but, should they win the preliminary round, their round of 16 match would be held at St James’ Park. Placing second would mean starting the elimination stage at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Competition Opening and Rally

The championship was launched at an event in Piccadilly Circus on the previous evening. Senior figures from Uefa and the host FAs were barracked as they entered the site by around fifty protesters, who urged Israel’s national side to be kicked out from the sport because of the conflict in Gaza.

Banners were raised with slogans saying “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while protesters shouted: “Kick Israel out.”

Championship Timeline

The first match of Euro 2028 will be staged at the Cardiff’s stadium in the Welsh capital, on June 9, 2028, a fixture that will include the Dragons if they secure a place.

Wembley Stadium will host both semi-finals and the final, which will be played on July 9, 2028 with a start time at 5:00 PM.

It is anticipated that an earlier start, which will also be used for European club finals from the following campaign, will attract households and help reach a more diverse set of fans.

Participating Countries

The Irish team are scheduled to play their initial fixture at the Aviva Stadium and the Tartan Army would follow suit at the national stadium of Scotland.

The national sides of all four hosts will take part in the qualifying tournament; two reserved places will be reserved for any that do not reach the finals through the standard process.

Venues and Elimination Phase

Villa Park and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium finalize the nine tournament locations. All will hold at least one knockout match, with the quarterfinal matches staged at each country’s national stadium.

The draw for the qualifiers will be conducted in Belfast, which was excluded as a venue city last year when it became clear Casement Park could not be upgraded in time, on 6 December 2026.

Tournament Vision

“The event will be a tournament for the followers and a showcase of everything we love about the football – its emotion and power to foster unity.”

More than three million admissions, a record for a Euro tournament, are expected to be offered to fans.