The Three Lions to Launch Euro 2028 Campaign at City’s Home Ground
The English squad will commence their Euro 2028 adventure at the the home of Manchester City, assuming they achieve the relatively straightforward qualification for a tournament hosted across the majority of the UK and the Ireland.
City’s stadium has not hosted an English men’s match since eight years ago, when the visitors were defeated 2-1 in a friendly, but is expected to welcome the Three Lions for their inaugural game on June 10, 2028.
The team are set to play their final two group matches at Wembley, but, if they top Group B, their last-16 tie would take place at the Newcastle stadium. Securing the runner-up spot would mean starting the playoffs at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Championship Kickoff and Protest
The championship was launched at an ceremony in Piccadilly Circus on Wednesday evening. Senior figures from Uefa and the host FAs were barracked as they arrived the location by about 50 activists, who urged Israel to be kicked out from global football because of the Gaza crisis.
Placards were displayed with messages reading “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while demonstrators called out: “Kick Israel out.”
Championship Schedule
The first match of the tournament will be played at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, on a Friday in June 2028, a game that will feature the Welsh team if they secure a place.
The national stadium will host the two semi-final matches and the final, which will be staged on Sunday 9 July with a start time at 5pm.
It is expected that an earlier kick-off, which will also be implemented for European club finals from the upcoming season, will cater to family audiences and help reach a broader range of audiences.
Participating Countries
The Irish team are set to play their opening match at the Dublin stadium and the Scottish team would play similarly at Hampden Park.
Each host nation’s squad will enter the preliminary stage; two automatic spots will be held in reserve for any that do not reach the tournament through the qualification path.
Venues and Playoffs
Villa Park and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium complete the event’s nine venues. All will hold at least one elimination game, with the quarter-finals held at each country’s national stadium.
The qualifying draw will be conducted in the Northern Irish capital, which was excluded as a venue city last year when it emerged Casement Park could not be renovated in time, on a date in late 2026.
Leadership Comment
“It will be a championship for the fans and a showcase of everything we value about the sport – its emotion and ability to foster unity.”
Over 3 million tickets, a all-time high for a Euro tournament, are expected to be released to fans.
