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The English squad will embark on their 2028 European Championship journey at the Manchester City’s stadium, on the condition that they achieve the expected entry for a competition staged throughout the majority of the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

City’s stadium has not welcomed an Three Lions match since eight years ago, when the Turkish team were beaten 2-1 in a warm-up game, but is almost certain to welcome the England side for their opening fixture on a Saturday in June 2028.

England are scheduled to play their final two group matches at Wembley, but, in the event of winning the preliminary round, their knockout stage opener would take place at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Placing second would mean beginning the knockouts at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Competition Kickoff and Protest

The event was inaugurated at an event in Piccadilly Circus on the previous evening. High-ranking officials from Uefa and the host FAs were barracked as they arrived the venue by approximately 50 pro-Palestine demonstrators, who demanded Israel’s national side to be expelled from global football because of the conflict in Gaza.

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

Tournament Timeline

The inaugural fixture of the tournament will be held at the Principality Stadium in the Welsh capital, on a Friday in June 2028, a game that will involve the Dragons if they qualify.

The national stadium will host the two semi-final matches and the final, which will be staged on a Sunday in July 2028 with a commencement at late afternoon.

It is hoped that an afternoon start, which will also be used for Champions League finals from the upcoming season, will attract families and help connect with a more diverse set of fans.

Qualifying Teams

The Republic of Ireland are set to play their opening match at the Dublin stadium and the Tartan Army would do the same at Hampden Park.

The national sides of all four hosts will take part in the qualification process; two automatic spots will be set aside for any that do not reach the finals through the qualification path.

Stadiums and Knockout Stage

Villa Park and Spurs’ ground complete the nine tournament locations. All will hold at least one playoff fixture, with the quarter-finals staged at each country’s national stadium.

The qualifying draw will be staged in the Northern Irish capital, which was removed as a tournament location last year when it became clear the Belfast stadium could not be renovated in time, on December 6, 2026.

Leadership Comment

“This will be a competition for the supporters and a celebration of everything we value about the football – its passion and capacity to foster unity.”

Over 3 million tickets, a all-time high for a men’s European Championship, are expected to be released to fans.