🔗 Share this article

England’s men’s team will embark on their Euro 2028 adventure at the Etihad Stadium, provided that they achieve the relatively straightforward passage for a tournament hosted across the majority of the UK and the Ireland.

The Etihad Stadium has not staged an Three Lions fixture since the spring of 2016, when the Turkish team were defeated 2-1 in a exhibition match, but is expected to stage the national team for their inaugural game on June 10, 2028.

England are planned to play their final two group matches at Wembley Stadium, but, if they top the preliminary round, their knockout stage opener would take place at St James’ Park. Finishing second would mean commencing the playoffs at Everton’s ground.

Competition Opening and Protest

The tournament was launched at an event in a London landmark on Wednesday night. Key representatives from European football’s governing body and the host FAs were confronted as they entered the location by around fifty protesters, who demanded Israel’s national side to be kicked out from global football because of the conflict in Gaza.

Banners were raised with messages stating “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while protesters called out: “Kick Israel out.”

Event Fixture List

The opening game of the European Championship will be staged at the Cardiff’s stadium in Cardiff, on a Friday in June 2028, a fixture that will include Wales if they qualify.

Wembley will host both semi-finals and the title decider, which will be staged on Sunday 9 July with a start time at late afternoon.

It is expected that an afternoon start, which will also be used for UEFA Champions League finals from the upcoming season, will attract households and help engage a wider spectrum of viewers.

Host Nations

The Irish team are scheduled to play their initial fixture at the Dublin Arena and the Tartan Army would do the same at the national stadium of Scotland.

All four host countries’ teams will participate in the preliminary stage; two automatic spots will be reserved for any that miss out on the finals through the qualification path.

Venues and Knockout Stage

Villa Park and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium finalize the nine host stadiums. All will hold at least one knockout match, with the last eight played at each country’s national stadium.

The qualifying draw will be staged in Belfast, which was removed as a tournament location last year when it became clear the Belfast stadium could not be renovated in time, on a date in late 2026.

Official Statement

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

Over 3 million admissions, a all-time high for a men’s European Championship, are expected to be offered to fans.