England to Launch Euro 2028 Campaign at City’s Home Ground
England’s men’s team will commence their UEFA Euro 2028 campaign at the Etihad Stadium, provided that they secure the expected passage for a tournament hosted across most of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.
City’s stadium has not hosted an England men’s match since the spring of 2016, when the visitors were beaten 2-1 in a exhibition match, but is highly likely to stage the England side for their inaugural game on Saturday 10 June 2028.
The English side are planned to play their concluding group fixtures at Wembley, but, if they top their group, their round of 16 match would take place at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Securing the runner-up spot would mean beginning the playoffs at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Tournament Launch and Demonstration
The championship was inaugurated at an ceremony in Piccadilly Circus on Wednesday night. Key representatives from the tournament organizers and the host football associations were confronted as they approached the venue by approximately 50 pro-Palestine demonstrators, who called for Israel to be kicked out from the sport because of the Gaza crisis.
Placards were displayed with slogans stating “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while protesters shouted: “Kick Israel out.”
Tournament Fixture List
The first match of the European Championship will be staged at the the national stadium of Wales in Cardiff, on Friday 9 June, a fixture that will involve Wales if they make it.
Wembley Stadium will host the penultimate rounds and the title decider, which will be played on July 9, 2028 with a start time at 5pm.
It is hoped that an earlier start, which will also be adopted for European club finals from the upcoming season, will cater to families and help connect with a more diverse set of fans.
Host Nations
The Ireland are due to play their initial fixture at the Aviva Stadium and the Tartan Army would do the same at the national stadium of Scotland.
Each host nation’s squad will participate in the qualification process; two guaranteed slots will be held in reserve for any that fail to qualify for Euro 2028 through the qualification path.
Venues and Knockout Stage
The Birmingham venue and The North London arena complete the nine tournament locations. Each one will hold at least one playoff fixture, with the last eight held at each country’s national stadium.
The qualification draw will be held in Belfast, which was dropped as a tournament location last year when it emerged the proposed venue could not be redeveloped in time, on December 6, 2026.
Official Statement
“The event will be a championship for the supporters and a showcase of everything we value about the sport – its emotion and capacity to unite individuals.”
More than three million passes, a all-time high for a Euro tournament, are expected to be offered to attendees.
