🔗 Share this article

England’s men’s team will embark on their UEFA Euro 2028 campaign at the Manchester City’s stadium, provided that they secure the relatively straightforward qualification for a tournament hosted across the majority of the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

City’s stadium has not hosted an England men’s game since the spring of 2016, when Turkey were overcome 2-1 in a friendly, but is expected to welcome the Three Lions for their first match on Saturday 10 June 2028.

England are scheduled to play their final two group matches at Wembley Stadium, but, in the event of winning the preliminary round, their knockout stage opener would take place at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Placing second would mean beginning the playoffs at Everton’s ground.

Competition Kickoff and Protest

The championship was launched at an event in Piccadilly Circus on Wednesday evening. Senior figures from the tournament organizers and the host football associations were barracked as they arrived the site by about 50 activists, who called for Israel’s national side to be kicked out from global football because of the Gaza crisis.

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

Championship Schedule

The inaugural fixture of Euro 2028 will be held at the Principality Stadium in the Welsh capital, on June 9, 2028, a fixture that will feature Wales if they secure a place.

Wembley will host both semi-finals and the final, which will be staged on July 9, 2028 with a start time at 5:00 PM.

It is anticipated that an earlier kick-off, which will also be used for European club finals from next season, will cater to family audiences and help reach a wider spectrum of viewers.

Host Nations

The Ireland are due to play their initial fixture at the Aviva Stadium and Scotland would do the same at Hampden Park.

All four host countries’ teams will enter the preliminary stage; two automatic spots will be reserved for any that do not reach Euro 2028 through the standard process.

Venues and Knockout Stage

The Birmingham venue and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium finalize the event’s nine venues. Every stadium will hold at least one playoff fixture, with the last eight staged at each country’s national stadium.

The qualifying draw will be staged in Belfast, which was dropped as a host city last year when it became clear the proposed venue could not be upgraded in time, on a date in late 2026.

Leadership Comment

“It will be a competition for the supporters and a festival of everything we love about the sport – its emotion and capacity to unite individuals.”

In excess of three million passes, a unprecedented number for a men’s European Championship, are expected to be made available to attendees.