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The English squad will initiate their UEFA Euro 2028 campaign at the the home of Manchester City, provided that they achieve the expected entry for a competition staged throughout the majority of the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

The Etihad Stadium has not hosted an Three Lions game since eight years ago, when the visitors were defeated 2-1 in a warm-up game, but is expected to welcome the England side for their first match on a Saturday in June 2028.

England are planned to play their last two group stage games at the national stadium, but, should they win their group, their last-16 tie would occur at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Finishing second would mean starting the elimination stage at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Competition Opening and Demonstration

The championship was inaugurated at an ceremony in a London landmark on the previous evening. Senior figures from European football’s governing body and the host FAs were heckled as they arrived the location by approximately 50 activists, who called for Israel’s national side to be expelled from international football because of the conflict in Gaza.

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

Event Schedule

The inaugural fixture of the European Championship will be held at the Principality Stadium in the Welsh capital, on a Friday in June 2028, a fixture that will involve the Welsh team if they qualify.

Wembley Stadium will host the penultimate rounds and the final, which will be played on July 9, 2028 with a kick-off time at 5:00 PM.

It is hoped that an afternoon start, which will also be implemented for Champions League finals from the upcoming season, will cater to families and help connect with a broader range of fans.

Host Nations

The Irish team are set to play their first game at the Dublin stadium and Scotland would follow suit at Hampden Park.

Each host nation’s squad will take part in the qualification process; two guaranteed slots will be held in reserve for any that fail to qualify for the tournament through the standard process.

Stadiums and Knockout Stage

The Birmingham venue and Spurs’ ground finalize the nine tournament locations. All will hold at least one playoff fixture, with the quarter-finals staged at every host’s main arena.

The qualification draw will be held in the Northern Irish capital, which was dropped as a host city last year when it emerged the proposed venue could not be redeveloped in time, on December 6, 2026.

Leadership Comment

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

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