The English Team to Launch UEFA Euro 2028 Quest at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium

The England national team will embark on their 2028 European Championship campaign at the Etihad Stadium, assuming they attain the relatively straightforward qualification for a championship hosted across the majority of the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

The Etihad Stadium has not staged an England men’s game since May 2016, when the visitors were beaten 2-1 in a warm-up game, but is highly likely to host the Three Lions for their opening fixture on a Saturday in June 2028.

England are set to play their concluding group fixtures at Wembley Stadium, but, if they top the preliminary round, their knockout stage opener would occur at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Placing second would mean beginning the playoffs at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Competition Opening and Rally

The event was unveiled at an event in central London on the previous evening. Key representatives from European football’s governing body and the host FAs were heckled as they approached the location by about 50 protesters, who urged Israel to be expelled from international football because of the conflict in Gaza.

Placards were raised with phrases reading “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while activists called out: “Kick Israel out.”

Tournament Timeline

The first match of the European Championship will be held at the Principality Stadium in the Welsh capital, on Friday 9 June, a match that will include Wales if they make it.

Wembley Stadium will host the two semi-final matches and the final, which will be staged on July 9, 2028 with a commencement at late afternoon.

It is anticipated that an earlier start, which will also be used for Champions League finals from the following campaign, will attract family audiences and help connect with a wider spectrum of fans.

Host Nations

The Irish team are due to play their first game at the Aviva Stadium and the Tartan Army would do the same at Hampden Park.

The national sides of all four hosts will enter the qualification process; two guaranteed slots will be reserved for any that do not reach Euro 2028 through that route.

Venues and Playoffs

Aston Villa’s stadium and Spurs’ ground finalize the event’s nine venues. All will hold at least one playoff fixture, with the quarterfinal matches held at every host’s main arena.

The qualification draw will be held in the Northern Irish capital, which was excluded as a tournament location last year when it emerged Casement Park could not be upgraded in time, on December 6, 2026.

Official Statement

“The event will be a tournament for the supporters and a festival of everything we cherish about the sport – its emotion and capacity to unite individuals.”

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