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The English squad will embark on their 2028 European Championship adventure at the Etihad Stadium, provided that they achieve the relatively straightforward entry for a competition taking place in most of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.

The Etihad Stadium has not staged an Three Lions game since the spring of 2016, when the visitors were overcome 2-1 in a friendly, but is almost certain to host the national team for their first match on June 10, 2028.

England are planned to play their last two group stage games at Wembley Stadium, but, in the event of winning the preliminary round, their knockout stage opener would occur at the Newcastle stadium. Placing second would mean commencing the knockouts at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Tournament Kickoff and Rally

The tournament was unveiled at an ceremony in a London landmark on the previous evening. Senior figures from Uefa and the host football associations were barracked as they approached the site by about 50 pro-Palestine demonstrators, who urged Israel to be removed from the sport because of the Gaza crisis.

Signs were raised with slogans saying “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while activists called out: “Kick Israel out.”

Tournament Fixture List

The first match of the European Championship will be played at the Principality Stadium in the Welsh capital, on Friday 9 June, a match that will include Wales if they make it.

The national stadium will host the two semi-final matches and the championship match, which will be held on a Sunday in July 2028 with a start time at late afternoon.

It is expected that an earlier kick-off, which will also be implemented for UEFA Champions League finals from next season, will appeal to family audiences and help reach a wider spectrum of audiences.

Participating Countries

The Ireland are scheduled to play their initial fixture at the Dublin stadium and the Tartan Army would do the same at Hampden Park.

The national sides of all four hosts will take part in the qualifying tournament; two guaranteed slots will be held in reserve for any that do not reach the finals through the standard process.

Locations and Elimination Phase

Aston Villa’s stadium and The North London arena round out the event’s nine venues. All will hold at least one knockout match, with the last eight played at every host’s main arena.

The qualification draw will be staged in the Northern Irish capital, which was excluded as a venue city last year when it became clear Casement Park could not be upgraded in time, on 6 December 2026.

Official Statement

“The event will be a championship for the supporters and a festival of everything we cherish about the game – its emotion and ability to unite individuals.”

In excess of three million tickets, a all-time high for a UEFA European Championship, are expected to be made available to supporters.