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The England national team will embark on their 2028 European Championship adventure at the Etihad Stadium, provided that they achieve the relatively straightforward entry for a tournament staged throughout most of the United Kingdom and the Ireland.

The Etihad Stadium has not welcomed an Three Lions match since eight years ago, when the visitors were defeated 2-1 in a exhibition match, but is expected to host the Three Lions for their first match on June 10, 2028.

The English side are planned to play their last two group stage games at the national stadium, but, if they top their group, their knockout stage opener would take place at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Finishing second would mean beginning the elimination stage at Everton’s ground.

Competition Opening and Protest

The championship was launched at an gathering in a London landmark on the previous evening. Key representatives from the tournament organizers and the organizing bodies were barracked as they arrived the site by around fifty pro-Palestine demonstrators, who called for the Israeli team to be removed from the sport because of the conflict in Gaza.

Signs were held up with phrases saying “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while protesters shouted: “Kick Israel out.”

Event Timeline

The opening game of the European Championship will be held at the the national stadium of Wales in Cardiff, on Friday 9 June, a game that will involve Wales if they secure a place.

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 kick-off time at 5:00 PM.

It is expected that an earlier kick-off, which will also be implemented for European club finals from the upcoming season, will cater to households and help engage a broader range of viewers.

Host Nations

The Ireland are set to play their opening match at the Dublin stadium and Scotland would do the same at Glasgow’s Hampden Park.

The national sides of all four hosts will participate in the qualification process; two guaranteed slots will be held in reserve for any that miss out on Euro 2028 through the qualification path.

Venues and Knockout Stage

Villa Park and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium round out the nine host stadiums. All will hold at least one knockout match, with the last eight held at each country’s national stadium.

The qualification draw will be staged in Belfast, which was removed as a tournament location last year when it became clear the proposed venue could not be upgraded in time, on December 6, 2026.

Official Statement

“This will be a tournament for the fans and a celebration of everything we cherish about the game – its emotion and ability to foster unity.”

In excess of three million admissions, a unprecedented number for a men’s European Championship, are projected to be offered to supporters.