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The England national team will initiate their UEFA Euro 2028 adventure at the Manchester City’s stadium, provided that they achieve the relatively straightforward qualification for a competition taking place in the majority of the UK and the Ireland.

Manchester City’s home ground has not staged an England men’s game since May 2016, when the visitors were overcome 2-1 in a warm-up game, but is almost certain to host the Three Lions for their first match on June 10, 2028.

The team are planned to play their concluding group fixtures at Wembley, but, should they win Group B, their knockout stage opener would occur at the Newcastle stadium. Placing second would mean beginning the elimination stage at Everton’s ground.

Competition Launch and Demonstration

The event was launched at an event in Piccadilly Circus on the previous evening. Key representatives from the tournament organizers and the host FAs were confronted as they entered the location by around fifty pro-Palestine demonstrators, who demanded Israel to be kicked out from the sport because of the conflict in Gaza.

Signs were raised with messages stating “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while activists shouted: “Kick Israel out.”

Event Timeline

The first match of the European Championship will be played at the the national stadium of Wales in the Welsh capital, on Friday 9 June, a fixture that will feature Wales if they secure a place.

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

It is expected that an earlier start, which will also be adopted for UEFA Champions League finals from the upcoming season, will appeal to family audiences and help connect with a wider spectrum of fans.

Qualifying Teams

The Ireland are due to play their first game at the Dublin stadium and the Tartan Army would play similarly at Hampden Park.

Each host nation’s squad will participate in the qualifying tournament; two reserved places will be reserved for any that fail to qualify for Euro 2028 through the qualification path.

Venues and Knockout Stage

Villa Park and Spurs’ ground complete the nine host stadiums. All will hold at least one knockout match, with the quarter-finals held at the national stadium of each host.

The draw for the qualifiers will be conducted in the Northern Irish capital, which was excluded as a tournament location last year when it became clear the proposed venue could not be redeveloped in time, on 6 December 2026.

Official Statement

“This will be a championship for the followers and a celebration of everything we love about the football – its fervor and power to foster unity.”

In excess of three million tickets, a record for a Euro tournament, are expected to be offered to fans.