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The England national team will initiate their 2028 European Championship adventure at the Manchester City’s stadium, on the condition that they achieve the expected qualification for a competition staged throughout most of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.

Manchester City’s home ground has not hosted an England men’s game since eight years ago, when Turkey were beaten 2-1 in a friendly, but is almost certain to stage the England side for their opening fixture on Saturday 10 June 2028.

England are scheduled to play their final two group matches at Wembley, but, in the event of winning the preliminary round, their last-16 tie would take place at St James’ Park. Placing second would mean beginning the playoffs at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Championship Launch and Demonstration

The event was inaugurated at an event in a London landmark on Wednesday night. Key representatives from Uefa and the host football associations were confronted as they approached the location by approximately 50 protesters, who called for Israel’s national side to be removed from the sport because of the Gaza crisis.

Banners were displayed with phrases saying “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while activists chanted: “Kick Israel out.”

Championship Timeline

The opening game of the European Championship will be staged at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, on a Friday in June 2028, a match that will involve the Welsh team if they qualify.

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

It is expected that an earlier kick-off, which will also be implemented for European club finals from next season, will appeal to family audiences and help engage a broader range of viewers.

Qualifying Teams

The Republic of Ireland are set to play their initial fixture at the Dublin stadium and the Scottish team would do the same at the national stadium of Scotland.

The national sides of all four hosts will participate in the qualification process; two reserved places will be reserved for any that do not reach the finals through the qualification path.

Venues and Playoffs

Villa Park and Spurs’ ground complete the event’s nine venues. Every stadium will hold at least one knockout match, with the quarterfinal matches held at each country’s national stadium.

The draw for the qualifiers will be conducted in Belfast, which was removed as a host city last year when it emerged the Belfast stadium could not be redeveloped in time, on a date in late 2026.

Official Statement

“The event will be a competition for the followers and a showcase of everything we cherish about the sport – its fervor and ability to foster unity.”

More than three million passes, a unprecedented number for a UEFA European Championship, are anticipated to be made available to fans.