🔗 Share this article

England’s men’s team will embark on their 2028 European Championship journey at the Etihad Stadium, on the condition that they secure the relatively straightforward qualification for a tournament hosted across the majority of the UK and the Irish Republic.

Manchester City’s home ground has not welcomed an English men’s match since May 2016, when the Turkish team were beaten 2-1 in a warm-up game, but is almost certain to stage the national team for their first match on Saturday 10 June 2028.

The English side are scheduled to play their final two group matches at the national stadium, but, in the event of winning Group B, their last-16 tie would occur at the Newcastle stadium. Finishing second would mean starting the elimination stage at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Competition Opening and Protest

The championship was unveiled at an gathering in Piccadilly Circus on the previous evening. Key representatives from the tournament organizers and the host FAs were heckled as they arrived the site by about 50 activists, who urged Israel’s national side to be removed from international football because of the situation in Gaza.

Placards were displayed with slogans saying “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while demonstrators shouted: “Kick Israel out.”

Event Fixture List

The first match of the European Championship will be held at the Cardiff’s stadium in Cardiff, on June 9, 2028, a game that will include the Dragons if they secure a place.

Wembley will host the two semi-final matches and the title decider, which will be staged on a Sunday in July 2028 with a start time at 5:00 PM.

It is expected that an earlier start, which will also be used for UEFA Champions League finals from next season, will attract families and help connect with a more diverse set of audiences.

Qualifying Teams

The Ireland are scheduled to play their initial fixture at the Dublin Arena and Scotland would play similarly at the national stadium of Scotland.

The national sides of all four hosts will enter the preliminary stage; two automatic spots will be reserved for any that do not reach Euro 2028 through the standard process.

Venues and Playoffs

Aston Villa’s stadium and The North London arena complete the nine host stadiums. Every stadium will hold at least one elimination game, with the quarterfinal matches staged at each country’s national stadium.

The qualification draw will be conducted in the Northern Irish capital, which was removed as a host city last year when it emerged Casement Park could not be renovated in time, on December 6, 2026.

Tournament Vision

“This will be a competition for the followers and a festival of everything we love about the football – its emotion and power to unite individuals.”

In excess of three million tickets, a record for a men’s European Championship, are projected to be released to supporters.