The English Team to Launch UEFA Euro 2028 Campaign at City’s Home Ground

England’s men’s team will initiate their Euro 2028 campaign at the Etihad Stadium, assuming they achieve the expected passage for a competition taking place in the bulk of Britain and the Ireland.

The Etihad Stadium has not hosted an England men’s match since eight years ago, when Turkey were overcome 2-1 in a warm-up game, but is almost certain to stage the England side for their opening fixture on a Saturday in June 2028.

England are set to play their concluding group fixtures at Wembley, but, if they top the preliminary round, their knockout stage opener would occur at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Placing second would mean starting the playoffs at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Tournament Launch and Protest

The event was inaugurated at an ceremony in a London landmark on Wednesday night. High-ranking officials from Uefa and the host football associations were barracked as they approached the venue by approximately 50 protesters, who urged Israel to be kicked out from the sport because of the Gaza crisis.

Signs were displayed with slogans reading “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while activists shouted: “Kick Israel out.”

Tournament Schedule

The first match of the tournament will be staged at the the national stadium of Wales in Cardiff, on June 9, 2028, a match that will feature the Welsh team if they qualify.

Wembley will host both semi-finals and the championship match, which will be held on Sunday 9 July with a kick-off time at 5pm.

It is anticipated that an afternoon start, which will also be implemented for UEFA Champions League finals from next season, will cater to families and help reach a broader range of audiences.

Host Nations

The Republic of Ireland are scheduled to play their opening match at the Dublin stadium and the Tartan Army would follow suit at the national stadium of Scotland.

All four host countries’ teams will take part in the qualification process; two automatic spots will be reserved for any that miss out on the tournament through the qualification path.

Venues and Knockout Stage

Aston Villa’s stadium and The North London arena finalize the nine tournament locations. Every stadium will hold at least one knockout match, with the quarterfinal matches held at the national stadium of each host.

The qualification draw will be staged in the Northern Irish capital, which was excluded as a tournament location last year when it emerged the Belfast stadium could not be redeveloped in time, on 6 December 2026.

Official Statement

“This will be a competition for the fans and a festival of everything we love about the game – its passion and ability to foster unity.”

In excess of three million tickets, a all-time high for a Euro tournament, are projected to be released to fans.