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The England national team will commence their 2028 European Championship journey at the Etihad Stadium, on the condition that they secure the anticipated qualification for a championship hosted across the bulk of Britain and the Irish Republic.

City’s stadium has not welcomed an Three Lions fixture since the spring of 2016, when Turkey were overcome 2-1 in a friendly, but is expected to stage the national team for their opening fixture on Saturday 10 June 2028.

The English side are planned to play their concluding group fixtures at the national stadium, but, if they top the preliminary round, their last-16 tie would be held at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Finishing second would mean starting the knockouts at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Championship Launch and Rally

The championship was launched at an ceremony in Piccadilly Circus on Wednesday evening. High-ranking officials from European football’s governing body and the host FAs were confronted as they arrived the venue by about 50 pro-Palestine demonstrators, who called for Israel’s national side to be expelled from the sport because of the Gaza crisis.

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

Championship Schedule

The inaugural fixture of the tournament will be staged at the the national stadium of Wales in Cardiff, on Friday 9 June, a fixture that will feature Wales if they make it.

The national stadium will host the two semi-final matches and the championship match, which will be staged on a Sunday in July 2028 with a kick-off time at 5pm.

It is expected that an afternoon start, which will also be implemented for European club finals from next season, will appeal to families and help connect with a wider spectrum of fans.

Qualifying Teams

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

The national sides of all four hosts will enter the qualification process; two automatic spots will be held in reserve for any that fail to qualify for Euro 2028 through the qualification path.

Venues and Knockout Stage

The Birmingham venue and The North London arena complete the nine tournament locations. Each one will hold at least one knockout match, with the quarterfinal matches played at each country’s national stadium.

The draw for the qualifiers will be conducted in Belfast, which was dropped as a venue city last year when it emerged Casement Park could not be renovated in time, on December 6, 2026.

Leadership Comment

“The event will be a tournament for the fans and a festival of everything we love about the sport – its passion and power to bring people together.”

In excess of three million admissions, a unprecedented number for a Euro tournament, are expected to be released to supporters.