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The English squad will initiate their UEFA Euro 2028 adventure at the Manchester City’s stadium, provided that they attain the relatively straightforward qualification for a competition hosted across most of the United Kingdom and the Irish Republic.

City’s stadium has not welcomed an England men’s game since the spring of 2016, when the Turkish team were overcome 2-1 in a exhibition match, but is highly likely to welcome the Three Lions for their first match on June 10, 2028.

The team are set to play their final two group matches at the national stadium, but, should they win Group B, their knockout stage opener would be held at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Placing second would mean beginning the playoffs at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Tournament Launch and Protest

The championship was launched at an ceremony in a London landmark on Wednesday evening. High-ranking officials from the tournament organizers and the host football associations were barracked as they arrived the venue by around fifty protesters, who called for the Israeli team to be kicked out from global football because of the conflict in Gaza.

Signs were raised with slogans saying “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while activists chanted: “Kick Israel out.”

Tournament Timeline

The opening game of Euro 2028 will be played at the Cardiff’s stadium in the Welsh capital, on Friday 9 June, a game that will include Wales if they qualify.

Wembley Stadium will host the penultimate rounds and the title decider, which will be held on July 9, 2028 with a start time at 5pm.

It is hoped that an earlier kick-off, which will also be implemented for Champions League finals from the upcoming season, will attract families and help connect with a wider spectrum of audiences.

Qualifying Teams

The Ireland are scheduled to play their opening match at the Dublin stadium and the Tartan Army would do the same at Glasgow’s Hampden Park.

Each host nation’s squad will take part in the preliminary stage; two automatic spots will be set aside for any that miss out on the tournament through the standard process.

Stadiums and Knockout Stage

The Birmingham venue and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium finalize the nine host stadiums. Every stadium will hold at least one knockout match, with the quarterfinal matches played at every host’s main arena.

The qualifying draw will be staged in the Northern Irish capital, which was dropped as a tournament location last year when it became clear the Belfast stadium could not be redeveloped in time, on December 6, 2026.

Official Statement

“The event will be a competition for the fans and a celebration of everything we love about the football – its passion and capacity to foster unity.”

In excess of three million tickets, a record for a men’s European Championship, are anticipated to be released to fans.