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

The English squad will commence their Euro 2028 journey at the Manchester City’s stadium, provided that they secure the expected qualification for a tournament hosted across most of the United Kingdom and the Ireland.

Manchester City’s home ground has not welcomed an Three Lions fixture since eight years ago, when the visitors were defeated 2-1 in a warm-up game, but is almost certain to welcome the national team for their inaugural game on June 10, 2028.

England are set to play their last two group stage games at Wembley, but, if they top Group B, their round of 16 match would be held at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Finishing second would mean commencing the elimination stage at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Competition Opening and Rally

The championship was inaugurated at an ceremony in central London on Wednesday evening. Key representatives from the tournament organizers and the organizing bodies were heckled as they entered the site by around fifty pro-Palestine demonstrators, who demanded Israel’s national side to be kicked out from global football because of the situation in Gaza.

Placards were displayed with slogans saying “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while protesters shouted: “Kick Israel out.”

Tournament Fixture List

The opening game of the tournament will be staged at the Cardiff’s stadium in Cardiff, on Friday 9 June, a match that will feature the Dragons if they secure a place.

Wembley Stadium will host the two semi-final matches and the final, which will be staged on Sunday 9 July with a commencement at 5pm.

It is anticipated that an earlier start, which will also be used for European club finals from next season, will appeal to households and help connect with a broader range of fans.

Host Nations

The Irish team are scheduled to play their opening match at the Dublin Arena and Scotland would follow suit at Hampden Park.

Each host nation’s squad will enter the preliminary stage; two reserved places will be reserved for any that miss out on the finals through the qualification path.

Venues and Playoffs

The Birmingham venue and Spurs’ ground complete the nine tournament locations. Every stadium will hold at least one knockout match, with the quarter-finals played at every host’s main arena.

The qualification draw will be held in Belfast, which was dropped as a venue city last year when it emerged the Belfast stadium could not be renovated in time, on 6 December 2026.

Tournament Vision

“It will be a tournament for the fans and a celebration of everything we cherish about the game – its emotion and ability to unite individuals.”

Over 3 million tickets, a unprecedented number for a Euro tournament, are expected to be offered to supporters.