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The English squad will commence their 2028 European Championship journey at the Manchester City’s stadium, assuming they attain the expected qualification for a competition hosted across the majority of the UK and the Irish Republic.

The Etihad Stadium has not hosted an English men’s match since May 2016, when Turkey were defeated 2-1 in a warm-up game, but is expected to welcome the England side for their first match on a Saturday in June 2028.

The English side are scheduled to play their concluding group fixtures at the national stadium, but, in the event of winning their group, their last-16 tie would occur at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Securing the runner-up spot would mean beginning the knockouts at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Championship Opening and Rally

The event was launched at an ceremony in a London landmark on Wednesday night. Key representatives from the tournament organizers and the organizing bodies were heckled as they arrived the location by around fifty pro-Palestine demonstrators, who urged Israel’s national side to be kicked out from global football because of the situation in Gaza.

Banners were displayed with slogans stating “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 held at the Cardiff’s stadium in Cardiff, on a Friday in June 2028, a match that will include the Dragons if they make it.

Wembley will host both semi-finals and the title decider, which will be staged on July 9, 2028 with a commencement at late afternoon.

It is anticipated that an earlier start, which will also be implemented for European club finals from next season, will cater to households and help reach a more diverse set of viewers.

Qualifying Teams

The Irish team are set to play their initial fixture at the Aviva Stadium and Scotland would do the same at Hampden Park.

The national sides of all four hosts will enter the qualification process; two automatic spots will be reserved for any that miss out on the tournament through the qualification path.

Stadiums and Knockout Stage

Aston Villa’s stadium and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium round out the nine host stadiums. Every stadium will hold at least one knockout match, with the quarter-finals played at the national stadium of each host.

The qualification draw will be held in the Northern Irish capital, which was removed as a host city last year when it emerged Casement Park could not be redeveloped in time, on December 6, 2026.

Tournament Vision

“The event will be a tournament for the fans and a celebration of everything we love about the football – its emotion and ability to bring people together.”

More than three million admissions, a record for a men’s European Championship, are expected to be released to attendees.