The Three Lions to Start UEFA Euro 2028 Quest at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium
England’s men’s team will initiate their UEFA Euro 2028 campaign at the Manchester City’s stadium, provided that they attain the expected entry for a tournament taking place in the bulk of Britain and the Ireland.
Manchester City’s home ground has not welcomed an England men’s fixture since May 2016, when the Turkish team were defeated 2-1 in a exhibition match, but is highly likely to welcome the England side for their first match on a Saturday in June 2028.
The English side are scheduled to play their last two group stage games at the national stadium, but, in the event of winning their group, their last-16 tie would be held at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Finishing second would mean starting the elimination stage at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Tournament Launch and Protest
The event was launched at an event in a London landmark on Wednesday evening. Senior figures from the tournament organizers and the host FAs were barracked as they approached the venue by approximately 50 protesters, who demanded Israel’s national side to be removed from global football because of the Gaza crisis.
Signs were raised with phrases stating “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while activists shouted: “Kick Israel out.”
Tournament Schedule
The first match of Euro 2028 will be held at the the national stadium of Wales in the Welsh capital, on Friday 9 June, a game that will feature the Dragons if they qualify.
Wembley will host both semi-finals and the title decider, which will be played on July 9, 2028 with a commencement at 5:00 PM.
It is expected that an earlier kick-off, which will also be implemented for Champions League finals from next season, will cater to families and help engage a wider spectrum of audiences.
Participating Countries
The Ireland are due to play their opening match at the Dublin Arena and the Scottish team would follow suit at Hampden Park.
Each host nation’s squad will enter the preliminary stage; two automatic spots will be held in reserve for any that miss out on the tournament through the qualification path.
Stadiums and Playoffs
Villa Park and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium complete the nine host stadiums. All will hold at least one playoff fixture, with the quarter-finals played at every host’s main arena.
The qualification draw will be staged in the Northern Irish capital, which was removed as a venue city last year when it became clear the proposed venue could not be renovated in time, on a date in late 2026.
Leadership Comment
“The event will be a championship for the fans and a showcase of everything we love about the game – its fervor and ability to foster unity.”
Over 3 million tickets, a record for a men’s European Championship, are expected to be made available to fans.