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

City’s stadium has not staged an Three Lions fixture since eight years ago, when the Turkish team were beaten 2-1 in a friendly, but is almost certain to stage the national team for their opening fixture on Saturday 10 June 2028.

The English side are scheduled to play their concluding group fixtures at Wembley Stadium, but, if they top their group, their last-16 tie would take place at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Securing the runner-up spot would mean starting the knockouts at Everton’s ground.

Competition Kickoff and Demonstration

The tournament was inaugurated at an ceremony in Piccadilly Circus on Wednesday evening. Key representatives from European football’s governing body and the organizing bodies were heckled as they approached the location by about 50 pro-Palestine demonstrators, who called for the Israeli team to be kicked out from international football because of the situation in Gaza.

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

Event Fixture List

The first match of the European Championship will be held at the the national stadium of Wales in the Welsh capital, on a Friday in June 2028, a match that will include the Welsh team if they secure a place.

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

It is hoped that an earlier start, which will also be implemented for Champions League finals from the upcoming season, will appeal to households and help reach a wider spectrum of audiences.

Qualifying Teams

The Republic of Ireland are set to play their first game at the Dublin stadium and the Scottish team would follow suit at Glasgow’s Hampden Park.

Each host nation’s squad will take part in the qualifying tournament; two reserved places will be reserved for any that fail to qualify for the finals through the qualification path.

Locations and Playoffs

Villa Park and The North London arena round out the event’s nine venues. Every stadium will hold at least one knockout match, with the quarter-finals staged at every host’s main arena.

The qualification draw will be conducted in the Northern Irish capital, which was removed as a tournament location last year when it was revealed the proposed venue could not be upgraded in time, on a date in late 2026.

Tournament Vision

“The event will be a competition for the fans and a showcase of everything we value about the game – its emotion and ability to foster unity.”

In excess of three million admissions, a unprecedented number for a Euro tournament, are anticipated to be made available to supporters.