The English Team to Launch UEFA Euro 2028 Campaign at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium

The England national team will initiate their 2028 European Championship journey at the Etihad Stadium, on the condition that they secure the relatively straightforward qualification for a championship taking place in the majority of the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

The Etihad Stadium has not staged an England men’s fixture since eight years ago, when the Turkish team were beaten 2-1 in a friendly, but is highly likely to welcome the national team for their first match on Saturday 10 June 2028.

The English side are planned to play their concluding group fixtures at the national stadium, but, should they win the preliminary round, their round of 16 match would take place at St James’ Park. Placing second would mean beginning the knockouts at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Tournament Kickoff and Demonstration

The tournament was launched at an event in Piccadilly Circus on Wednesday evening. High-ranking officials from European football’s governing body and the organizing bodies were heckled as they arrived the venue by around fifty pro-Palestine demonstrators, who called for Israel to be expelled from the sport because of the situation in Gaza.

Placards were raised with slogans stating “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while demonstrators chanted: “Kick Israel out.”

Event Schedule

The first match of the European Championship will be played at the the national stadium of Wales in Cardiff, on a Friday in June 2028, a game that will involve Wales if they secure a place.

Wembley will host both semi-finals and the final, which will be staged on Sunday 9 July with a start time at 5:00 PM.

It is hoped that an afternoon start, which will also be adopted for Champions League finals from the upcoming season, will cater to households and help connect with a wider spectrum of audiences.

Participating Countries

The Ireland are due to play their initial fixture at the Dublin Arena and the Tartan Army would follow suit at the national stadium of Scotland.

The national sides of all four hosts will enter the qualifying tournament; two reserved places will be reserved for any that miss out on Euro 2028 through the standard process.

Stadiums and Elimination Phase

The Birmingham venue and The North London arena round out the nine tournament locations. Each one will hold at least one elimination game, with the quarterfinal matches staged at the national stadium of each host.

The qualifying draw will be held in the Northern Irish capital, which was removed as a host city last year when it became clear Casement Park could not be upgraded in time, on a date in late 2026.

Leadership Comment

“The event will be a championship for the followers and a festival of everything we value about the sport – its passion and power to unite individuals.”

More than three million tickets, a unprecedented number for a UEFA European Championship, are expected to be made available to fans.