🔗 Share this article

The England national team will embark on their 2028 European Championship adventure at the Manchester City’s stadium, assuming they secure the relatively straightforward qualification for a competition hosted across the majority of the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

City’s stadium has not welcomed an English men’s match since the spring of 2016, when the visitors were overcome 2-1 in a friendly, but is highly likely to host the Three Lions for their inaugural game on June 10, 2028.

England are scheduled to play their last two group stage games at the national stadium, but, should they win their group, their last-16 tie would take place at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Finishing second would mean commencing the playoffs at Everton’s ground.

Tournament Launch and Demonstration

The championship was inaugurated at an event in central London on Wednesday night. Key representatives from the tournament organizers and the organizing bodies were heckled as they approached the venue by around fifty pro-Palestine demonstrators, who called for Israel’s national side to be expelled from the sport because of the situation in Gaza.

Placards were held up with slogans stating “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while activists shouted: “Kick Israel out.”

Event Timeline

The inaugural fixture of the tournament will be played at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, on Friday 9 June, a fixture that will involve the Dragons if they secure a place.

Wembley will host the penultimate rounds and the championship match, which will be held on Sunday 9 July with a start time at 5:00 PM.

It is anticipated that an earlier kick-off, which will also be implemented for European club finals from next season, will cater to families and help connect with a wider spectrum of viewers.

Qualifying Teams

The Ireland are set to play their first game at the Dublin Arena and the Tartan Army would play similarly at the national stadium of Scotland.

Each host nation’s squad will take part in the qualifying tournament; two reserved places will be reserved for any that do not reach Euro 2028 through that route.

Stadiums and Playoffs

Villa Park and The North London arena round out the event’s nine venues. Every stadium will hold at least one knockout match, with the quarterfinal matches held at each country’s national stadium.

The qualification draw will be held in Belfast, which was excluded as a venue city last year when it emerged the Belfast stadium could not be redeveloped in time, on December 6, 2026.

Leadership Comment

“It will be a competition for the fans and a showcase of everything we cherish about the football – its emotion and capacity to unite individuals.”

Over 3 million passes, a unprecedented number for a men’s European Championship, are expected to be made available to supporters.