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England’s men’s team will embark on their UEFA Euro 2028 campaign at the Manchester City’s stadium, on the condition that they secure the expected passage for a competition staged throughout most of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.

The Etihad Stadium has not hosted an English men’s game since the spring of 2016, when Turkey were defeated 2-1 in a friendly, but is expected to stage the Three Lions for their first match on June 10, 2028.

England are set to play their last two group stage games at Wembley Stadium, but, should they win their group, their last-16 tie would occur at the Newcastle stadium. Placing second would mean commencing the elimination stage at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Championship Opening and Rally

The tournament was inaugurated at an gathering in central London on the previous evening. Senior figures from the tournament organizers and the host football associations were confronted as they entered the venue by around fifty pro-Palestine demonstrators, who demanded Israel’s national side to be expelled from global football because of the conflict in Gaza.

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

Championship Schedule

The first match of the tournament will be staged at the Principality Stadium in the Welsh capital, on Friday 9 June, a game that will involve the Welsh team if they secure a place.

The national stadium will host the penultimate rounds and the title decider, which will be staged on a Sunday in July 2028 with a commencement at 5pm.

It is hoped that an earlier start, which will also be adopted for Champions League finals from next season, will cater to households and help reach a wider spectrum of viewers.

Participating Countries

The Republic of Ireland are set to play their initial fixture at the Aviva Stadium and Scotland would do the same at the national stadium of Scotland.

The national sides of all four hosts will take part in the preliminary stage; two guaranteed slots will be held in reserve for any that do not reach the finals through the standard process.

Venues and Knockout Stage

The Birmingham venue and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium finalize the event’s nine venues. All will hold at least one elimination game, with the quarter-finals held at each country’s national stadium.

The draw for the qualifiers will be held in the Northern Irish capital, which was excluded as a venue city last year when it became clear Casement Park could not be renovated in time, on a date in late 2026.

Official Statement

“It will be a competition for the fans and a celebration of everything we value about the football – its fervor and power to foster unity.”

In excess of three million admissions, a unprecedented number for a men’s European Championship, are projected to be released to fans.