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The England national team will initiate their UEFA Euro 2028 adventure at the Etihad Stadium, on the condition that they achieve the relatively straightforward passage for a tournament staged throughout the bulk of Britain and the Irish Republic.

The Etihad Stadium has not hosted an English men’s match since the spring of 2016, when the visitors were overcome 2-1 in a friendly, but is expected to stage the England side for their inaugural game on a Saturday in June 2028.

The English side are planned to play their concluding group fixtures at the national stadium, but, should they win Group B, their round of 16 match would take place at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Securing the runner-up spot would mean commencing the playoffs at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Tournament Kickoff and Rally

The event was inaugurated at an ceremony in a London landmark on the previous evening. High-ranking officials from the tournament organizers and the host FAs were heckled as they entered the location by around fifty activists, who demanded Israel to be expelled from the sport because of the Gaza crisis.

Banners were held up with messages reading “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while activists chanted: “Kick Israel out.”

Event Schedule

The inaugural fixture of the tournament will be held at the Cardiff’s stadium in Cardiff, on a Friday in June 2028, a fixture that will involve the Welsh team if they make it.

The national stadium will host the two semi-final matches and the title decider, which will be played on a Sunday in July 2028 with a kick-off time at 5pm.

It is expected that an earlier kick-off, which will also be implemented for UEFA Champions League finals from the following campaign, will cater to households and help connect with a broader range of viewers.

Host Nations

The Ireland are scheduled to play their first game at the Dublin Arena and the Scottish team would do the same at Glasgow’s Hampden Park.

All four host countries’ teams will take part in the qualifying tournament; two automatic spots will be set aside for any that do not reach Euro 2028 through that route.

Locations and Knockout Stage

Aston Villa’s stadium and The North London arena round out the event’s nine venues. All will hold at least one knockout match, with the last eight played at the national stadium of each host.

The qualifying draw will be staged in the Northern Irish capital, which was removed as a venue city last year when it was revealed Casement Park could not be upgraded in time, on a date in late 2026.

Official Statement

“The event will be a tournament for the supporters and a celebration of everything we cherish about the game – its emotion and power to bring people together.”

In excess of three million passes, a record for a men’s European Championship, are anticipated to be made available to attendees.