The Three Lions to Launch the European Championship 2028 Campaign at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium

The English squad will embark on their UEFA Euro 2028 journey at the the home of Manchester City, on the condition that they secure the expected qualification for a competition staged throughout the bulk of Britain and the Republic of Ireland.

City’s stadium has not welcomed an English men’s match since eight years ago, when the visitors were defeated 2-1 in a warm-up game, but is almost certain to stage the England side for their inaugural game on a Saturday in June 2028.

The team are planned to play their last two group stage games at the national stadium, but, if they top their group, their knockout stage opener would be held at St James’ Park. Finishing second would mean commencing the playoffs at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Competition Opening and Protest

The championship was unveiled at an gathering in central London on the previous evening. Key representatives from European football’s governing body and the host FAs were barracked as they arrived the location by approximately 50 protesters, who called for the Israeli team to be kicked out from global football because of the conflict in Gaza.

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

Tournament Fixture List

The inaugural fixture of the European Championship will be held at the the national stadium of Wales in Cardiff, on a Friday in June 2028, a game that will include the Dragons if they qualify.

Wembley Stadium will host the penultimate rounds and the championship match, which will be held on July 9, 2028 with a start time at 5pm.

It is hoped that an earlier kick-off, which will also be adopted for European club finals from next season, will attract family audiences and help reach a more diverse set of audiences.

Qualifying Teams

The Republic of Ireland are due to play their opening match at the Aviva Stadium and Scotland would follow suit at the national stadium of Scotland.

All four host countries’ teams will participate in the qualifying tournament; two reserved places will be reserved for any that do not reach Euro 2028 through the standard process.

Venues and Elimination Phase

Aston Villa’s stadium and Spurs’ ground finalize the nine tournament locations. Every stadium will hold at least one playoff fixture, with the quarter-finals played at the national stadium of each host.

The draw for the qualifiers will be staged in the Northern Irish capital, which was removed as a host city last year when it became clear the Belfast stadium could not be redeveloped in time, on 6 December 2026.

Tournament Vision

“The event will be a tournament for the fans and a showcase of everything we value about the game – its passion and capacity to foster unity.”

Over 3 million tickets, a unprecedented number for a men’s European Championship, are anticipated to be offered to supporters.