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The England national team will embark on their Euro 2028 campaign at the the home of Manchester City, on the condition that they secure the expected entry for a tournament staged throughout the majority of the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

City’s stadium has not hosted an Three Lions fixture since May 2016, when the Turkish team were overcome 2-1 in a warm-up game, but is almost certain to stage the England side for their inaugural game on June 10, 2028.

The English side are planned to play their concluding group fixtures at Wembley, but, should they win their group, their round of 16 match would take place at St James’ Park. Finishing second would mean starting the knockouts at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Competition Kickoff and Protest

The tournament was unveiled at an gathering in Piccadilly Circus on the previous evening. Key representatives from European football’s governing body and the host football associations were barracked as they approached the location by around fifty protesters, who urged Israel to be expelled from the sport because of the conflict in Gaza.

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

Tournament Schedule

The inaugural fixture of Euro 2028 will be staged at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, on a Friday in June 2028, a fixture that will include Wales if they make it.

Wembley will host the penultimate rounds and the final, which will be held on Sunday 9 July with a start time at 5pm.

It is anticipated that an earlier kick-off, which will also be implemented for European club finals from next season, will appeal to households and help engage a more diverse set of audiences.

Qualifying Teams

The Ireland are due to play their first game at the Dublin Arena and the Tartan Army would do the same at Hampden Park.

All four host countries’ teams will enter the preliminary stage; two guaranteed slots will be held in reserve for any that miss out on the tournament through that route.

Locations and Playoffs

Aston Villa’s stadium and The North London arena complete the event’s nine venues. All will hold at least one knockout match, with the quarterfinal matches held at the national stadium of each host.

The qualifying draw will be conducted in the Northern Irish capital, which was removed as a tournament location last year when it emerged the proposed venue could not be renovated in time, on a date in late 2026.

Leadership Comment

“This will be a championship for the followers and a celebration of everything we cherish about the football – its emotion and capacity to foster unity.”

Over 3 million tickets, a record for a UEFA European Championship, are expected to be released to supporters.