The Three Lions to Launch the European Championship 2028 Journey at the Etihad Stadium
The England national team will embark on their Euro 2028 journey at the the home of Manchester City, on the condition that they attain the expected qualification for a competition staged throughout most of the United Kingdom and the Irish Republic.
City’s stadium has not staged an England men’s match since eight years ago, when the Turkish team were defeated 2-1 in a friendly, but is highly likely to stage the Three Lions for their opening fixture on a Saturday in June 2028.
The English side are planned to play their concluding group fixtures at the national stadium, but, if they top Group B, their knockout stage opener would be held at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Finishing second would mean beginning the playoffs at Everton’s ground.
Championship Launch and Demonstration
The tournament was launched at an event in a London landmark on the previous evening. High-ranking officials from European football’s governing body and the host FAs were heckled as they entered the site by approximately 50 pro-Palestine demonstrators, who urged Israel’s national side to be removed from the sport because of the conflict in Gaza.
Signs were held up with phrases stating “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while protesters chanted: “Kick Israel out.”
Event Fixture List
The first match of the European Championship will be played at the Principality Stadium in the Welsh capital, on June 9, 2028, a game that will feature the Dragons if they make it.
Wembley Stadium will host the penultimate rounds and the championship match, which will be held on Sunday 9 July with a kick-off time at 5:00 PM.
It is hoped that an earlier kick-off, which will also be adopted for Champions League finals from the following campaign, will cater to households and help engage a wider spectrum of fans.
Participating Countries
The Republic of Ireland are set to play their initial fixture at the Aviva Stadium and Scotland would do the same at Hampden Park.
All four host countries’ teams will take part in the qualification process; two automatic spots will be reserved for any that miss out on the finals through the qualification path.
Stadiums and Playoffs
Villa Park and Spurs’ ground round out the nine tournament locations. Each one will hold at least one knockout match, with the quarterfinal matches staged at each country’s national stadium.
The qualification draw will be conducted in the Northern Irish capital, which was removed as a host city last year when it was revealed Casement Park could not be renovated in time, on December 6, 2026.
Tournament Vision
“This will be a championship for the supporters and a celebration of everything we love about the sport – its fervor and ability to bring people together.”
In excess of three million passes, a unprecedented number for a men’s European Championship, are projected to be offered to attendees.
