The Three Lions to Begin the European Championship 2028 Quest at City’s Home Ground

The English squad will embark on their 2028 European Championship journey at the Etihad Stadium, provided that they achieve the relatively straightforward entry for a competition hosted across the majority of the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

The Etihad Stadium has not hosted an England men’s fixture since May 2016, when the Turkish team were defeated 2-1 in a warm-up game, but is expected to host the England side for their first match on June 10, 2028.

England are planned to play their final two group matches at Wembley, but, should they win Group B, their knockout stage opener would take place at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Securing the runner-up spot would mean beginning the playoffs at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Tournament Launch and Demonstration

The tournament was unveiled at an ceremony in central London on Wednesday evening. High-ranking officials from Uefa and the host FAs were confronted as they approached the location by approximately 50 activists, who called for the Israeli team to be expelled from global football because of the Gaza crisis.

Signs were displayed with phrases reading “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while activists shouted: “Kick Israel out.”

Championship Fixture List

The inaugural fixture of the European Championship will be played at the Cardiff’s stadium in Cardiff, on June 9, 2028, a game that will include Wales if they make it.

Wembley will host the penultimate rounds and the title decider, which will be played on July 9, 2028 with a start time at late afternoon.

It is hoped that an earlier kick-off, which will also be adopted for European club finals from next season, will appeal to family audiences and help engage a wider spectrum of viewers.

Qualifying Teams

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

All four host countries’ teams will enter the qualifying tournament; two guaranteed slots will be reserved for any that fail to qualify for the tournament through the standard process.

Venues and Knockout Stage

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

The qualification draw will be staged in Belfast, which was dropped as a venue city last year when it was revealed Casement Park could not be upgraded in time, on a date in late 2026.

Official Statement

“It will be a tournament for the fans and a celebration of everything we cherish about the sport – its fervor and ability to bring people together.”

Over 3 million passes, a unprecedented number for a men’s European Championship, are projected to be made available to attendees.