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England’s men’s team will embark on their UEFA Euro 2028 campaign at the Etihad Stadium, on the condition that they attain the anticipated qualification for a competition hosted across most of the United Kingdom and the Irish Republic.

Manchester City’s home ground has not welcomed an English men’s match since the spring of 2016, when Turkey were defeated 2-1 in a exhibition match, but is expected to host the national team for their first match on a Saturday in June 2028.

England are planned to play their final two group matches at Wembley, but, in the event of winning the preliminary round, their knockout stage opener would be held at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Placing second would mean beginning the playoffs at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Competition Opening and Demonstration

The event was unveiled at an event in Piccadilly Circus on Wednesday night. Senior figures from Uefa and the organizing bodies were barracked as they entered the venue by around fifty protesters, who urged the Israeli team to be kicked out from international football because of the Gaza crisis.

Banners were held up with messages saying “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while protesters chanted: “Kick Israel out.”

Championship Fixture List

The opening game of the European Championship will be held at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, on June 9, 2028, a match that will include the Welsh team if they make it.

The national stadium will host the penultimate rounds and the championship match, which will be held on Sunday 9 July with a start time at 5:00 PM.

It is expected that an earlier kick-off, which will also be implemented for European club finals from next season, will cater to households and help connect with a wider spectrum of viewers.

Qualifying Teams

The Irish team are scheduled to play their opening match at the Aviva Stadium and Scotland would play similarly at Hampden Park.

All four host countries’ teams will enter the preliminary stage; two reserved places will be set aside for any that fail to qualify for the finals through the qualification path.

Locations and Knockout Stage

Aston Villa’s stadium and Spurs’ ground complete the event’s nine venues. Each one will hold at least one elimination game, with the quarter-finals played at every host’s main arena.

The draw for the qualifiers will be held in Belfast, which was dropped as a tournament location last year when it emerged the Belfast stadium could not be renovated in time, on a date in late 2026.

Tournament Vision

“This will be a competition for the fans and a celebration of everything we value about the sport – its fervor and capacity to bring people together.”

Over 3 million tickets, a unprecedented number for a men’s European Championship, are projected to be offered to fans.