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The England national team will embark on their Euro 2028 adventure at the Manchester City’s stadium, on the condition that they achieve the anticipated qualification for a championship hosted across the majority of the UK and the Ireland.

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

The English side are set to play their last two group stage games at Wembley, but, if they top Group B, their round of 16 match would take place at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Securing the runner-up spot would mean starting the playoffs at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Tournament Kickoff and Demonstration

The event was launched at an gathering in Piccadilly Circus on Wednesday evening. Senior figures from the tournament organizers and the host FAs were confronted as they entered the site by approximately 50 protesters, who called for Israel’s national side to be expelled from the sport because of the Gaza crisis.

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

Tournament Schedule

The inaugural fixture of the tournament will be played at the Principality Stadium in the Welsh capital, on a Friday in June 2028, a fixture that will feature the Welsh team if they make it.

Wembley Stadium will host both semi-finals and the final, which will be staged on July 9, 2028 with a start time at 5pm.

It is hoped that an earlier kick-off, which will also be used for European club finals from next season, will attract households and help connect with a more diverse set of audiences.

Host Nations

The Ireland are set to play their initial fixture at the Dublin Arena and Scotland would follow suit at Glasgow’s Hampden Park.

All four host countries’ teams will enter the qualifying tournament; two guaranteed slots will be set aside for any that fail to qualify for Euro 2028 through the qualification path.

Locations and Knockout Stage

Villa Park and Spurs’ ground complete the nine tournament locations. All will hold at least one elimination game, with the quarter-finals staged at every host’s main arena.

The qualifying draw will be conducted in Belfast, which was removed as a venue city last year when it emerged Casement Park could not be redeveloped in time, on December 6, 2026.

Official Statement

“This will be a tournament for the followers and a showcase of everything we value about the football – its fervor and power to bring people together.”

In excess of three million passes, a record for a UEFA European Championship, are expected to be made available to attendees.