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The England national team will initiate their 2028 European Championship adventure at the Etihad Stadium, on the condition that they attain the expected qualification for a competition hosted across most of the United Kingdom and the Irish Republic.

Manchester City’s home ground has not welcomed an England men’s match since May 2016, when Turkey were defeated 2-1 in a warm-up game, but is expected to host the national team for their opening fixture on a Saturday in June 2028.

The English side are scheduled to play their final two group matches at the national stadium, but, in the event of winning Group B, their last-16 tie would be held at St James’ Park. Securing the runner-up spot would mean beginning the elimination stage at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Championship Launch and Protest

The championship was launched at an ceremony in Piccadilly Circus on Wednesday night. Senior figures from European football’s governing body and the host FAs were heckled as they entered the site by around fifty protesters, who urged the Israeli team to be kicked out from global football because of the conflict in Gaza.

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

Event Fixture List

The first match of the tournament will be staged at the the national stadium of Wales in Cardiff, on Friday 9 June, a game that will include Wales if they qualify.

Wembley Stadium will host the two semi-final matches and the final, which will be staged on Sunday 9 July with a start time at 5:00 PM.

It is expected that an earlier kick-off, which will also be adopted for UEFA Champions League finals from next season, will appeal to households and help engage a wider spectrum of viewers.

Qualifying Teams

The Ireland are set to play their initial fixture at the Dublin stadium and the Tartan Army would play similarly at Glasgow’s Hampden Park.

The national sides of all four hosts will take part in the preliminary stage; two reserved places will be held in reserve for any that fail to qualify for the finals through the standard process.

Locations and Playoffs

Aston Villa’s stadium and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium round out the event’s nine venues. All will hold at least one knockout match, with the quarterfinal matches staged at every host’s main arena.

The qualifying draw will be conducted in the Northern Irish capital, which was excluded as a tournament location last year when it was revealed the Belfast stadium could not be renovated in time, on a date in late 2026.

Leadership Comment

“This will be a championship for the supporters and a festival of everything we value about the football – its emotion and capacity to foster unity.”

Over 3 million admissions, a unprecedented number for a UEFA European Championship, are expected to be released to attendees.