The Three Lions to Start the European Championship 2028 Campaign at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium

The England national team will embark on their UEFA Euro 2028 journey at the Etihad Stadium, assuming they secure the relatively straightforward passage for a tournament hosted across the bulk of Britain and the Ireland.

Manchester City’s home ground has not welcomed an England men’s fixture since eight years ago, when the Turkish team were overcome 2-1 in a warm-up game, but is highly likely to stage the Three Lions for their first match on June 10, 2028.

England are set to play their final two group matches at Wembley Stadium, but, if they top their group, their last-16 tie would occur at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Finishing second would mean commencing the knockouts at Everton’s ground.

Tournament Opening and Demonstration

The tournament was launched at an event in a London landmark on Wednesday evening. Key representatives from the tournament organizers and the host FAs were heckled as they arrived the venue by around fifty pro-Palestine demonstrators, who demanded Israel to be expelled from the sport because of the conflict in Gaza.

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

Tournament Schedule

The first match of the European Championship will be staged at the Principality Stadium in the Welsh capital, on a Friday in June 2028, a fixture that will involve the Welsh team if they qualify.

Wembley will host the two semi-final matches 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 implemented for European club finals from the upcoming season, will cater to family audiences and help connect with a broader range of fans.

Qualifying Teams

The Ireland are set to play their opening match at the Dublin stadium and the Scottish team would play similarly at Hampden Park.

The national sides of all four hosts will participate in the qualification process; two reserved places will be reserved for any that do not reach the tournament through the standard process.

Locations and Playoffs

Villa Park and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium complete the nine tournament locations. Every stadium will hold at least one knockout match, with the last eight held at every host’s main arena.

The draw for the qualifiers will be held in the Northern Irish capital, which was dropped as a venue city last year when it became clear the Belfast stadium could not be redeveloped in time, on December 6, 2026.

Official Statement

“This will be a tournament for the supporters and a celebration of everything we cherish about the sport – its passion and capacity to unite individuals.”

Over 3 million admissions, a record for a UEFA European Championship, are projected to be offered to supporters.