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The English squad will commence their UEFA Euro 2028 campaign at the the home of Manchester City, provided that they achieve the expected passage for a tournament staged throughout most of the United Kingdom and the Ireland.

Manchester City’s home ground has not staged an Three Lions fixture since May 2016, when Turkey were defeated 2-1 in a exhibition match, but is highly likely to welcome the Three Lions for their opening fixture on June 10, 2028.

England are set to play their final two group matches at the national stadium, but, if they top the preliminary round, their knockout stage opener would be held at St James’ Park. Placing second would mean starting the playoffs at Everton’s ground.

Championship Launch and Rally

The tournament was launched at an gathering in a London landmark on the previous evening. Key representatives from the tournament organizers and the organizing bodies were confronted as they entered the venue by about 50 protesters, who urged Israel’s national side to be kicked out from global football because of the situation in Gaza.

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

Event Schedule

The first match of the tournament will be played at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, on Friday 9 June, a fixture that will involve the Welsh team if they make it.

The national stadium will host the two semi-final matches and the final, which will be held on July 9, 2028 with a commencement at late afternoon.

It is hoped that an earlier kick-off, which will also be adopted for European club finals from the following campaign, will appeal to family audiences and help engage a broader range of audiences.

Participating Countries

The Irish team are scheduled to play their opening match at the Dublin stadium and the Scottish team would play similarly at Hampden Park.

All four host countries’ teams will participate in the qualifying tournament; two guaranteed slots will be reserved for any that fail to qualify for the tournament through that route.

Stadiums and Knockout Stage

The Birmingham venue and The North London arena finalize the nine host stadiums. Every stadium will hold at least one playoff fixture, with the quarterfinal matches held at the national stadium of each host.

The qualification draw will be held in Belfast, which was dropped as a tournament location last year when it became clear Casement Park could not be upgraded in time, on 6 December 2026.

Official Statement

“The event will be a championship for the followers and a festival of everything we cherish about the sport – its emotion and capacity to unite individuals.”

More than three million admissions, a unprecedented number for a UEFA European Championship, are expected to be released to fans.