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The English squad will commence their UEFA Euro 2028 adventure at the the home of Manchester City, assuming they secure the relatively straightforward qualification for a tournament taking place in most of the United Kingdom and the Irish Republic.

City’s stadium has not staged an England men’s game since May 2016, when the visitors were defeated 2-1 in a warm-up game, but is almost certain to host the Three Lions for their first match on a Saturday in June 2028.

The English side are planned to play their concluding group fixtures at the national stadium, but, if they top Group B, their last-16 tie would be held at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Placing second would mean commencing the knockouts at Everton’s ground.

Championship Opening and Rally

The event was launched at an event in a London landmark on Wednesday evening. Key representatives from European football’s governing body and the organizing bodies were barracked as they entered the site by about 50 protesters, who called for the Israeli team to be removed from international football because of the Gaza crisis.

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

Championship Schedule

The first match of the tournament will be held at the Cardiff’s stadium in the Welsh capital, on a Friday in June 2028, a match that will feature the Welsh team if they secure a place.

Wembley will host the penultimate rounds and the championship match, which will be staged on July 9, 2028 with a kick-off time at 5pm.

It is expected that an earlier kick-off, which will also be implemented for European club finals from the following campaign, will attract family audiences and help reach a broader range of viewers.

Participating Countries

The Ireland are set to play their opening match at the Aviva Stadium and the Scottish team would do the same at Glasgow’s Hampden Park.

The national sides of all four hosts will enter the preliminary stage; two reserved places will be set aside for any that fail to qualify for Euro 2028 through the standard process.

Stadiums and Elimination Phase

Villa Park and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium finalize the nine tournament locations. Each one will hold at least one knockout match, with the quarter-finals held at each country’s national stadium.

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

Official Statement

“The event will be a championship for the fans and a showcase of everything we cherish about the football – its fervor and power to bring people together.”

In excess of three million tickets, a all-time high for a men’s European Championship, are projected to be released to supporters.