The Three Lions to Launch UEFA Euro 2028 Journey at the Etihad Stadium

England’s men’s team will initiate their Euro 2028 journey at the the home of Manchester City, assuming they achieve the anticipated passage for a competition hosted across most of the United Kingdom and the Irish Republic.

The Etihad Stadium has not welcomed an England men’s match since May 2016, when the Turkish team were defeated 2-1 in a friendly, but is almost certain to stage the national team for their inaugural game on Saturday 10 June 2028.

The team are set to play their last two group stage games at Wembley, but, if they top their group, their knockout stage opener would take place at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Securing the runner-up spot would mean starting the knockouts at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Championship Kickoff and Demonstration

The event was launched at an ceremony in Piccadilly Circus on Wednesday evening. Key representatives from Uefa and the host football associations were confronted as they approached the venue by approximately 50 activists, who urged the Israeli team to be removed from international football because of the conflict in Gaza.

Signs were displayed with slogans reading “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while protesters called out: “Kick Israel out.”

Championship Schedule

The inaugural fixture of the tournament will be staged at the Principality Stadium in the Welsh capital, on June 9, 2028, a match that will involve Wales if they make it.

Wembley will host the penultimate rounds and the championship match, which will be staged on July 9, 2028 with a kick-off time at late afternoon.

It is anticipated that an afternoon start, which will also be adopted for European club finals from next season, will attract households and help reach a wider spectrum of viewers.

Host Nations

The Irish team are scheduled to play their first game at the Aviva Stadium and the Scottish team would do the same at Hampden Park.

All four host countries’ teams will take part in the qualification process; two automatic spots will be reserved for any that do not reach the finals through that route.

Stadiums and Knockout Stage

Villa Park and The North London arena complete the nine tournament locations. Each one will hold at least one knockout match, with the quarter-finals held at the national stadium of each host.

The qualification draw will be conducted in the Northern Irish capital, which was dropped as a host city last year when it was revealed the Belfast stadium could not be upgraded in time, on December 6, 2026.

Leadership Comment

“It will be a championship for the followers and a festival of everything we love about the sport – its emotion and capacity to foster unity.”

In excess of three million admissions, a unprecedented number for a men’s European Championship, are projected to be made available to attendees.