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The England national team will initiate their 2028 European Championship campaign at the Manchester City’s stadium, provided that they secure the anticipated qualification for a competition taking place in the majority of the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

City’s stadium has not hosted an English men’s match since eight years ago, when the visitors were beaten 2-1 in a exhibition match, but is expected to welcome the Three Lions for their first match on Saturday 10 June 2028.

The team are scheduled to play their last two group stage games at Wembley, but, if they top the preliminary round, their round of 16 match would occur at St James’ Park. Placing second would mean commencing the elimination stage at Everton’s ground.

Tournament Kickoff and Demonstration

The tournament was unveiled at an gathering in central London on the previous evening. Senior figures from Uefa and the host FAs were confronted as they approached the venue by about 50 pro-Palestine demonstrators, who demanded Israel’s national side to be expelled from the sport because of the situation in Gaza.

Signs were displayed with messages reading “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while activists called out: “Kick Israel out.”

Tournament Schedule

The inaugural fixture of the tournament will be staged at the Principality Stadium in the Welsh capital, on June 9, 2028, a fixture that will involve Wales 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 start time at late afternoon.

It is expected that an afternoon start, which will also be adopted for European club finals from next season, will appeal to family audiences and help connect with a broader range of audiences.

Host Nations

The Irish team are due to play their first game at the Dublin Arena and the Tartan Army would play similarly at Glasgow’s Hampden Park.

All four host countries’ teams will participate in the preliminary stage; two reserved places will be set aside for any that do not reach the tournament through the qualification path.

Stadiums and Knockout Stage

Villa Park and The North London arena round out the nine tournament locations. Every stadium will hold at least one playoff fixture, with the last eight staged at each country’s national stadium.

The qualifying draw will be conducted in the Northern Irish capital, which was excluded as a host city last year when it became clear the Belfast stadium could not be upgraded in time, on December 6, 2026.

Leadership Comment

“It will be a tournament for the fans and a celebration of everything we love about the sport – its passion and power to unite individuals.”

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