🔗 Share this article

The English squad will initiate their 2028 European Championship adventure at the the home of Manchester City, assuming they secure the relatively straightforward entry for a competition hosted across the majority of the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

Manchester City’s home ground has not welcomed an Three Lions match since the spring of 2016, when the visitors were beaten 2-1 in a friendly, but is almost certain to welcome the England side for their first match on Saturday 10 June 2028.

England are scheduled to play their final two group matches at Wembley Stadium, but, if they top Group B, their last-16 tie would take place at the Newcastle stadium. Finishing second would mean commencing the elimination stage at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Championship Opening and Protest

The championship was launched at an event in central London on Wednesday night. Senior figures from Uefa and the host FAs were barracked as they arrived the location by about 50 pro-Palestine demonstrators, who called for Israel’s national side to be kicked out from international football because of the conflict in Gaza.

Banners were raised with messages reading “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while activists chanted: “Kick Israel out.”

Tournament Timeline

The first match of the tournament will be staged at the Cardiff’s stadium in the Welsh capital, on Friday 9 June, a fixture that will feature the Dragons if they secure a place.

Wembley will host the penultimate rounds and the championship match, which will be played on a Sunday in July 2028 with a kick-off time at 5pm.

It is anticipated that an afternoon start, which will also be implemented for UEFA Champions League finals from next season, will cater to families and help engage a wider spectrum of audiences.

Participating Countries

The Irish team are set to play their opening match at the Aviva Stadium and Scotland would do the same at the national stadium of Scotland.

All four host countries’ teams will take part in the qualification process; two reserved places will be set aside for any that fail to qualify for the finals through the qualification path.

Stadiums and Knockout Stage

Villa Park and The North London arena round out the nine tournament locations. Each one will hold at least one elimination game, with the last eight played at the national stadium of each host.

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

Leadership Comment

“The event will be a tournament for the supporters and a festival of everything we cherish about the football – its passion and ability to foster unity.”

In excess of three million tickets, a unprecedented number for a UEFA European Championship, are anticipated to be offered to fans.