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The England national team will initiate their Euro 2028 campaign at the Manchester City’s stadium, provided that they secure the relatively straightforward qualification for a competition taking place in the majority of the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

City’s stadium has not hosted an English men’s fixture since eight years ago, when the visitors were beaten 2-1 in a exhibition match, but is expected to host the Three Lions for their inaugural game on a Saturday in June 2028.

The team are scheduled to play their last two group stage games at Wembley Stadium, but, should they win Group B, their last-16 tie would take place at the Newcastle stadium. Finishing second would mean starting the playoffs at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Tournament Opening and Protest

The event was inaugurated at an ceremony in central London on Wednesday night. Key representatives from the tournament organizers and the host football associations were heckled as they entered the location by around fifty activists, who called for Israel’s national side to be kicked out from the sport because of the Gaza crisis.

Banners were displayed with slogans stating “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while demonstrators called out: “Kick Israel out.”

Championship Schedule

The inaugural fixture of the tournament will be held at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, on June 9, 2028, a match that will involve Wales if they qualify.

The national stadium will host the penultimate rounds and the title decider, which will be held on July 9, 2028 with a start time at late afternoon.

It is hoped that an earlier start, which will also be implemented for Champions League finals from next season, will cater to family audiences and help connect with a more diverse set of fans.

Participating Countries

The Irish team are set to play their opening match at the Dublin stadium and the Tartan Army would do the same at Glasgow’s Hampden Park.

Each host nation’s squad will participate in the qualifying tournament; two automatic spots will be set aside for any that do not reach the tournament through the qualification path.

Stadiums and Playoffs

Villa Park and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium round out the event’s nine venues. Each one will hold at least one elimination game, with the quarter-finals played at each country’s national stadium.

The qualification draw will be conducted in Belfast, which was dropped as a tournament location last year when it emerged the proposed venue could not be upgraded in time, on December 6, 2026.

Official Statement

“This will be a championship for the followers and a showcase of everything we cherish about the game – its emotion and capacity to bring people together.”

Over 3 million admissions, a unprecedented number for a Euro tournament, are expected to be made available to fans.