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The England national team will embark on their UEFA Euro 2028 adventure at the Etihad Stadium, assuming they attain the relatively straightforward passage for a championship hosted across most of the United Kingdom and the Ireland.

Manchester City’s home ground has not staged an England men’s fixture since the spring of 2016, when the visitors were beaten 2-1 in a friendly, but is almost certain to stage the Three Lions for their inaugural game on June 10, 2028.

The team are planned to play their concluding group fixtures at Wembley Stadium, but, should they win their group, their last-16 tie would be held at the Newcastle stadium. Finishing second would mean beginning the playoffs at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Competition Launch and Demonstration

The tournament was launched at an ceremony in Piccadilly Circus on the previous evening. Senior figures from Uefa and the host FAs were confronted as they approached the location by around fifty activists, who urged Israel’s national side to be removed from global football because of the situation in Gaza.

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

Championship Fixture List

The opening game of the tournament will be held at the the national stadium of Wales in Cardiff, on a Friday in June 2028, a game that will include the Dragons if they make it.

Wembley will host the penultimate rounds and the championship match, which will be staged on Sunday 9 July with a commencement at 5pm.

It is anticipated that an earlier kick-off, which will also be adopted for European club finals from the upcoming season, will appeal to families and help engage a broader range of viewers.

Qualifying Teams

The Ireland are scheduled to play their initial fixture at the Dublin Arena and the Tartan Army would play similarly at the national stadium of Scotland.

The national sides of all four hosts will participate in the qualifying tournament; two automatic spots will be held in reserve for any that do not reach the finals through the qualification path.

Stadiums and Playoffs

The Birmingham venue and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium complete the event’s nine venues. All will hold at least one playoff fixture, with the quarter-finals staged at every host’s main arena.

The qualifying draw will be staged in Belfast, which was excluded as a venue city last year when it emerged the Belfast stadium could not be renovated in time, on 6 December 2026.

Official Statement

“It will be a championship for the fans and a celebration of everything we love about the sport – its fervor and ability to foster unity.”

In excess of three million admissions, a record for a men’s European Championship, are anticipated to be offered to fans.