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The England national team will initiate their UEFA Euro 2028 campaign at the Etihad Stadium, provided that they achieve the relatively straightforward qualification for a championship staged throughout the majority of the UK and the Irish Republic.

Manchester City’s home ground has not welcomed an English men’s game since May 2016, when Turkey were overcome 2-1 in a exhibition match, but is expected to welcome the national team for their opening fixture on a Saturday in June 2028.

The team are set to play their last two group stage games at Wembley Stadium, but, if they top their group, their last-16 tie would be held at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Placing second would mean commencing the elimination stage at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Tournament Launch and Rally

The event was inaugurated at an ceremony in Piccadilly Circus on Wednesday evening. High-ranking officials from Uefa and the organizing bodies were heckled as they arrived the venue by about 50 activists, who called for the Israeli team to be removed from the sport because of the situation in Gaza.

Banners were held up with phrases stating “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while protesters called out: “Kick Israel out.”

Tournament Timeline

The opening game of Euro 2028 will be staged at the Cardiff’s stadium in the Welsh capital, on Friday 9 June, a fixture that will involve the Dragons if they qualify.

The national stadium will host the penultimate rounds and the championship match, which will be held on July 9, 2028 with a kick-off time at 5pm.

It is anticipated that an earlier kick-off, which will also be implemented for UEFA Champions League finals from next season, will cater to family audiences and help connect with a more diverse set of fans.

Host Nations

The Irish team are due to play their first game at the Dublin Arena and the Scottish team would do the same at Hampden Park.

All four host countries’ teams will take part in the preliminary stage; two automatic spots will be reserved for any that fail to qualify for the tournament through the qualification path.

Stadiums and Elimination Phase

Villa Park and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium finalize the nine tournament locations. Each one will hold at least one elimination game, with the quarterfinal matches played at each country’s national stadium.

The draw for the qualifiers will be held in Belfast, which was removed as a tournament location last year when it became clear Casement Park could not be upgraded in time, on a date in late 2026.

Tournament Vision

“This will be a competition for the supporters and a celebration of everything we love about the game – its emotion and ability to foster unity.”

More than three million passes, a all-time high for a UEFA European Championship, are anticipated to be released to supporters.