The English Team to Launch the European Championship 2028 Journey at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium
The English squad will initiate their 2028 European Championship adventure at the Etihad Stadium, assuming they achieve the expected passage for a competition taking place in the bulk of Britain and the Ireland.
City’s stadium has not welcomed an English men’s fixture since eight years ago, when the visitors were defeated 2-1 in a warm-up game, but is highly likely to welcome the England side for their opening fixture on Saturday 10 June 2028.
The team are set to play their concluding group fixtures at Wembley, but, if they top the preliminary round, their last-16 tie would occur at St James’ Park. Placing second would mean starting the playoffs at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Tournament Launch and Rally
The tournament was unveiled at an event in Piccadilly Circus on Wednesday night. Senior figures from European football’s governing body and the organizing bodies were barracked as they entered the location by about 50 protesters, who urged the Israeli team to be removed from global football because of the situation in Gaza.
Banners were displayed with slogans saying “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while protesters chanted: “Kick Israel out.”
Event Timeline
The first match of Euro 2028 will be played at the the national stadium of Wales in the Welsh capital, on a Friday in June 2028, a match that will involve the Welsh team if they qualify.
Wembley Stadium will host both semi-finals and the final, which will be held on July 9, 2028 with a kick-off time at 5pm.
It is hoped that an earlier kick-off, which will also be used for Champions League finals from next season, will appeal to family audiences and help connect with a wider spectrum of viewers.
Participating Countries
The Ireland are due to play their opening match at the Dublin Arena and the Scottish team would do the same at Hampden Park.
The national sides of all four hosts will participate in the qualification process; two guaranteed slots will be set aside for any that do not reach Euro 2028 through the qualification path.
Stadiums and Knockout Stage
Villa Park and The North London arena complete the event’s nine venues. All will hold at least one elimination game, with the quarterfinal matches staged at the national stadium of each host.
The qualifying draw will be staged in Belfast, which was excluded as a venue city last year when it was revealed the proposed venue could not be renovated in time, on December 6, 2026.
Official Statement
“The event will be a competition for the supporters and a festival of everything we value about the football – its passion and capacity to foster unity.”
Over 3 million tickets, a all-time high for a Euro tournament, are anticipated to be offered to supporters.
