The Three Lions to Launch Euro 2028 Journey at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium

England’s men’s team will commence their UEFA Euro 2028 adventure at the the home of Manchester City, assuming they secure the relatively straightforward entry for a competition staged throughout the majority of the UK and the Ireland.

The Etihad Stadium has not staged an English men’s match since the spring of 2016, when the visitors were overcome 2-1 in a warm-up game, but is highly likely to stage the Three Lions for their inaugural game on Saturday 10 June 2028.

The team are scheduled to play their last two group stage games at the national stadium, but, should they win their group, their knockout stage opener would occur at St James’ Park. Securing the runner-up spot would mean commencing the elimination stage at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Championship Launch and Rally

The tournament was unveiled at an ceremony in a London landmark on Wednesday evening. Key representatives from the tournament organizers and the host FAs were barracked as they entered the site by about 50 protesters, who urged Israel’s national side to be removed from global football because of the conflict in Gaza.

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

Championship Timeline

The inaugural fixture 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 include the Dragons if they qualify.

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

It is anticipated that an afternoon start, which will also be used for European club finals from the following campaign, will appeal to family audiences and help connect with a more diverse set of audiences.

Participating Countries

The Irish team are set to play their opening match at the Aviva Stadium and the Tartan Army would do the same at Glasgow’s Hampden Park.

The national sides of all four hosts will take part in the preliminary stage; two reserved places will be reserved for any that fail to qualify for the tournament through the qualification path.

Venues and Knockout Stage

Aston Villa’s stadium and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium complete the nine host stadiums. Each one will hold at least one knockout match, with the quarter-finals played at every host’s main arena.

The qualifying draw will be staged in Belfast, which was excluded as a venue city last year when it was revealed Casement Park could not be upgraded in time, on 6 December 2026.

Official Statement

“This will be a championship for the followers and a showcase of everything we value about the football – its emotion and power to foster unity.”

Over 3 million tickets, a record for a UEFA European Championship, are projected to be released to attendees.