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The England national team will initiate their 2028 European Championship adventure at the Manchester City’s stadium, provided that they secure the relatively straightforward qualification for a tournament staged throughout the bulk of Britain and the Ireland.

The Etihad Stadium has not welcomed an English men’s fixture since May 2016, when the visitors were overcome 2-1 in a friendly, but is expected to welcome the England side for their first match on June 10, 2028.

The English side are scheduled to play their concluding group fixtures at Wembley Stadium, but, if they top their group, their last-16 tie would occur at the Newcastle stadium. Placing second would mean starting the elimination stage at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Championship Opening and Protest

The tournament was unveiled at an ceremony in central London on Wednesday night. High-ranking officials from the tournament organizers and the host football associations were barracked as they approached the location by about 50 pro-Palestine demonstrators, who called for Israel’s national side to be expelled from international football because of the situation in Gaza.

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

Championship Schedule

The first match of the European Championship will be played at the Cardiff’s stadium in the Welsh capital, on a Friday in June 2028, a game that will involve the Dragons if they secure a place.

The national stadium will host both semi-finals and the championship match, which will be played on a Sunday in July 2028 with a commencement at 5:00 PM.

It is hoped that an earlier start, which will also be used for UEFA Champions League finals from the upcoming season, will cater to households and help connect with a more diverse set of viewers.

Host Nations

The Irish team are due to play their initial fixture at the Aviva Stadium and the Scottish team would play similarly at Hampden Park.

All four host countries’ teams will take part in the qualification process; two reserved places will be held in reserve for any that do not reach the finals through the standard process.

Stadiums and Elimination Phase

The Birmingham venue and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium complete the nine tournament locations. All will hold at least one knockout match, with the quarter-finals played at each country’s national stadium.

The qualification draw will be conducted in the Northern Irish capital, which was removed as a venue city last year when it emerged the proposed venue could not be redeveloped in time, on a date in late 2026.

Tournament Vision

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

In excess of three million tickets, a record for a UEFA European Championship, are expected to be released to supporters.