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The England national team will embark on their 2028 European Championship journey at the Etihad Stadium, provided that they secure the relatively straightforward qualification for a tournament hosted across most of the United Kingdom and the Ireland.

The Etihad Stadium has not staged an Three Lions match since May 2016, when the visitors were beaten 2-1 in a exhibition match, but is expected to welcome the national team for their inaugural game on June 10, 2028.

The team are set to play their concluding group fixtures at the national stadium, but, in the event of winning Group B, their round of 16 match would be held at St James’ Park. Finishing second would mean beginning the elimination stage at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Tournament Launch and Demonstration

The event was launched at an gathering in a London landmark on Wednesday evening. High-ranking officials from the tournament organizers and the organizing bodies were heckled as they approached the site by approximately 50 pro-Palestine demonstrators, who urged the Israeli team to be expelled from global football because of the conflict in Gaza.

Placards were held up with phrases reading “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while demonstrators called out: “Kick Israel out.”

Championship Schedule

The opening game of the tournament will be played at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, on a Friday in June 2028, a match that will involve the Dragons if they qualify.

Wembley Stadium will host both semi-finals and the final, which will be held on Sunday 9 July with a kick-off time at 5pm.

It is hoped that an earlier kick-off, which will also be used for UEFA Champions League finals from next season, will attract family audiences and help reach a more diverse set of viewers.

Participating Countries

The Ireland are set to play their initial fixture at the Dublin stadium and the Scottish team would play similarly at Hampden Park.

Each host nation’s squad will enter the preliminary stage; two guaranteed slots will be reserved for any that miss out on the finals through the qualification path.

Venues and Knockout Stage

The Birmingham venue and The North London arena complete the nine tournament locations. Every stadium will hold at least one knockout match, with the quarter-finals staged at every host’s main arena.

The qualifying draw will be staged in Belfast, which was dropped as a host city last year when it emerged the Belfast stadium could not be upgraded in time, on a date in late 2026.

Official Statement

“It will be a championship for the supporters and a celebration of everything we cherish about the football – its emotion and capacity to unite individuals.”

In excess of three million admissions, a all-time high for a UEFA European Championship, are projected to be offered to fans.