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The England national team will embark on their UEFA Euro 2028 adventure at the the home of Manchester City, on the condition that they secure the relatively straightforward qualification for a competition hosted across the majority of the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

Manchester City’s home ground has not welcomed an England men’s game since eight years ago, when the Turkish team were overcome 2-1 in a exhibition match, but is expected to welcome the England side for their first match on a Saturday in June 2028.

The English side are planned to play their concluding group fixtures at Wembley, but, in the event of winning their group, their knockout stage opener would take place at St James’ Park. Securing the runner-up spot would mean commencing the knockouts at Everton’s ground.

Championship Launch and Demonstration

The championship was launched at an gathering in Piccadilly Circus on the previous evening. Senior figures from the tournament organizers and the host FAs were confronted as they arrived the site by approximately 50 pro-Palestine demonstrators, who urged Israel to be removed from international football because of the Gaza crisis.

Placards were displayed with messages stating “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while demonstrators chanted: “Kick Israel out.”

Event Timeline

The inaugural fixture of Euro 2028 will be played at the the national stadium of Wales in Cardiff, on Friday 9 June, a fixture that will involve the Dragons if they qualify.

Wembley Stadium will host both semi-finals and the title decider, which will be played on Sunday 9 July with a kick-off time at 5pm.

It is hoped that an afternoon start, which will also be adopted for Champions League finals from the upcoming season, will cater to families and help engage a more diverse set of viewers.

Host Nations

The Ireland are scheduled to play their initial fixture at the Dublin Arena and the Scottish team would play similarly at Glasgow’s Hampden Park.

The national sides of all four hosts will take part in the qualifying tournament; two automatic spots will be reserved for any that miss out on Euro 2028 through that route.

Stadiums and Playoffs

Villa Park and The North London arena complete the event’s nine venues. Each one will hold at least one playoff fixture, with the last eight held at the national stadium of each host.

The qualifying draw will be held in Belfast, which was dropped as a venue city last year when it became clear Casement Park could not be upgraded in time, on December 6, 2026.

Official Statement

“The event will be a championship for the supporters and a celebration of everything we value about the football – its fervor and power to foster unity.”

Over 3 million tickets, a record for a men’s European Championship, are anticipated to be offered to attendees.