🔗 Share this article

The English squad will initiate their Euro 2028 adventure at the the home of Manchester City, on the condition that they secure the relatively straightforward qualification for a championship taking place in most of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.

City’s stadium has not welcomed an English men’s match since eight years ago, when the visitors were beaten 2-1 in a friendly, but is highly likely to welcome the Three Lions for their first match on June 10, 2028.

The team are scheduled to play their final two group matches at Wembley Stadium, but, if they top their group, their round of 16 match would occur at the Newcastle stadium. Securing the runner-up spot would mean starting the playoffs at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Competition Kickoff and Protest

The event was unveiled at an event in a London landmark on Wednesday night. High-ranking officials from the tournament organizers and the host FAs were heckled as they approached the venue by around fifty protesters, who urged Israel’s national side to be removed from international football because of the conflict in Gaza.

Banners were held up with phrases stating “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while demonstrators called out: “Kick Israel out.”

Tournament Fixture List

The opening game of the tournament will be held at the the national stadium of Wales in Cardiff, on June 9, 2028, a match that will involve the Dragons if they make it.

The national stadium will host both semi-finals and the championship match, which will be staged on Sunday 9 July with a start time at late afternoon.

It is expected that an earlier start, which will also be adopted for Champions League finals from the following campaign, will attract households and help engage a wider spectrum of audiences.

Participating Countries

The Republic of Ireland are set to play their opening match at the Dublin stadium and the Tartan Army would do the same at the national stadium of Scotland.

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

Locations and Knockout Stage

Aston Villa’s stadium and The North London arena complete the nine host stadiums. Every stadium will hold at least one knockout match, with the quarterfinal matches played at every host’s main arena.

The qualification draw will be staged in Belfast, which was dropped as a tournament location last year when it became clear the proposed venue could not be renovated in time, on December 6, 2026.

Leadership Comment

“This will be a championship for the followers and a celebration of everything we cherish about the football – its emotion and power to unite individuals.”

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