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The England national team will commence their 2028 European Championship campaign at the Manchester City’s stadium, on the condition that they secure the anticipated passage for a competition staged throughout the majority of the UK and the Irish Republic.

City’s stadium has not welcomed an England men’s match since eight years ago, when the Turkish team were beaten 2-1 in a warm-up game, but is expected to welcome the England side for their first match on Saturday 10 June 2028.

The English side are set to play their final two group matches at the national stadium, but, if they top the preliminary round, their knockout stage opener would occur at the Newcastle stadium. Placing second would mean starting the playoffs at Everton’s ground.

Tournament Opening and Protest

The championship was launched at an ceremony in Piccadilly Circus on the previous evening. Key representatives from European football’s governing body and the host FAs were confronted as they arrived the location by approximately 50 pro-Palestine demonstrators, who called for Israel to be removed from global football because of the Gaza crisis.

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

Championship Timeline

The first match of Euro 2028 will be staged at the the national stadium of Wales in the Welsh capital, on a Friday in June 2028, a match that will feature the Dragons if they qualify.

Wembley will host both semi-finals and the championship match, which will be played on a Sunday in July 2028 with a start time at late afternoon.

It is anticipated that an earlier kick-off, which will also be implemented for European club finals from the following campaign, will attract families and help reach a wider spectrum of fans.

Host Nations

The Ireland are scheduled to play their opening match at the Dublin Arena and the Scottish team would follow suit at the national stadium of Scotland.

The national sides of all four hosts will take part in the qualification process; two reserved places will be held in reserve for any that fail to qualify for the tournament through the standard process.

Locations and Knockout Stage

The Birmingham venue and Spurs’ ground complete the event’s nine venues. Every stadium will hold at least one knockout match, with the quarterfinal matches played at the national stadium of each host.

The qualifying draw will be held in the Northern Irish capital, which was dropped as a host city last year when it was revealed the proposed venue could not be renovated in time, on 6 December 2026.

Official Statement

“The event will be a competition for the followers and a showcase of everything we value about the game – its passion and ability to unite individuals.”

More than three million tickets, a unprecedented number for a Euro tournament, are projected to be made available to fans.