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The English squad will embark on their Euro 2028 journey at the the home of Manchester City, on the condition that they secure the relatively straightforward passage for a competition hosted across the majority of the UK and the Irish Republic.

City’s stadium has not hosted an English men’s fixture since eight years ago, when the visitors were defeated 2-1 in a warm-up game, but is almost certain to host the England side for their opening fixture on a Saturday in June 2028.

The English side are scheduled to play their final two group matches at Wembley, but, in the event of winning their group, their knockout stage opener would occur at the Newcastle stadium. Placing second would mean starting the playoffs at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Championship Opening and Protest

The event was unveiled at an event in a London landmark on the previous evening. High-ranking officials from the tournament organizers and the organizing bodies were barracked as they approached the location by approximately 50 pro-Palestine demonstrators, who urged Israel’s national side to be removed from the sport because of the conflict in Gaza.

Banners were raised 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 tournament will be held at the Cardiff’s stadium in Cardiff, on a Friday in June 2028, a game that will include Wales if they qualify.

The national stadium will host both semi-finals and the final, which will be held on Sunday 9 July with a start time at late afternoon.

It is anticipated that an earlier start, which will also be used for Champions League finals from the upcoming season, will attract family audiences and help connect with a more diverse set of audiences.

Qualifying Teams

The Irish team are due to play their first game at the Dublin stadium and the Scottish team would follow suit at the national stadium of Scotland.

Each host nation’s squad will take part in the qualifying tournament; two reserved places will be set aside for any that miss out on the finals through the qualification path.

Stadiums and Playoffs

Villa Park and The North London arena complete the nine host stadiums. All will hold at least one playoff fixture, with the quarterfinal matches held at each country’s national stadium.

The qualifying draw will be staged in the Northern Irish capital, which was excluded as a venue city last year when it was revealed the proposed venue could not be redeveloped in time, on a date in late 2026.

Official Statement

“The event will be a competition for the supporters and a festival of everything we love about the sport – its fervor and power to foster unity.”

More than three million tickets, a all-time high for a men’s European Championship, are anticipated to be offered to supporters.