🔗 Share this article

England’s men’s team will commence their 2028 European Championship adventure at the Etihad Stadium, provided that they secure the anticipated passage for a championship hosted across the bulk of Britain and the Republic of Ireland.

City’s stadium has not welcomed an Three Lions match since the spring of 2016, when Turkey were defeated 2-1 in a warm-up game, but is almost certain to welcome the national team for their first match on June 10, 2028.

England are planned to play their final two group matches at the national stadium, but, should they win their group, their round of 16 match would occur at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Placing second would mean beginning the playoffs at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Tournament Opening and Demonstration

The tournament was launched at an event in a London landmark on the previous evening. Senior figures from the tournament organizers and the organizing bodies were confronted as they entered the location by approximately 50 pro-Palestine demonstrators, who urged the Israeli team to be removed from the sport because of the Gaza crisis.

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

Tournament Schedule

The first match of the European Championship will be staged at the the national stadium of Wales in the Welsh capital, on June 9, 2028, a game that will feature the Dragons if they secure a place.

The national stadium will host both semi-finals and the championship match, which will be staged on Sunday 9 July with a kick-off time at 5pm.

It is hoped that an earlier start, which will also be implemented for UEFA Champions League finals from next season, will attract households and help reach a more diverse set of audiences.

Participating Countries

The Ireland are scheduled to play their first game at the Dublin stadium and the Scottish team would play similarly at Hampden Park.

Each host nation’s squad will participate in the qualification process; two automatic spots will be reserved for any that do not reach the finals through that route.

Venues and Knockout Stage

The Birmingham venue and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium finalize the event’s nine venues. All will hold at least one playoff fixture, with the quarterfinal matches played at the national stadium of each host.

The qualifying draw will be held in Belfast, which was excluded as a host city last year when it became clear Casement Park could not be renovated in time, on 6 December 2026.

Leadership Comment

“This will be a tournament for the fans and a festival of everything we cherish about the football – its fervor and ability to foster unity.”

Over 3 million admissions, a all-time high for a men’s European Championship, are anticipated to be made available to supporters.