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England’s men’s team will embark on their 2028 European Championship adventure at the the home of Manchester City, assuming they achieve the anticipated passage for a competition taking place in the majority of the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

The Etihad Stadium has not welcomed an English men’s match since the spring of 2016, when the visitors were defeated 2-1 in a exhibition match, but is highly likely to welcome the national team for their inaugural game on a Saturday in June 2028.

The team are set to play their concluding group fixtures at the national stadium, but, in the event of winning Group B, their knockout stage opener would occur at St James’ Park. Finishing second would mean beginning the elimination stage at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Championship Kickoff and Rally

The tournament was inaugurated at an ceremony in Piccadilly Circus on the previous evening. Key representatives from Uefa and the host FAs were confronted as they entered the location by around fifty activists, who urged the Israeli team to be kicked out from global football because of the Gaza crisis.

Placards were displayed with slogans stating “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while activists called out: “Kick Israel out.”

Event Timeline

The inaugural fixture of the European Championship will be played at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, on Friday 9 June, a fixture that will include Wales if they make it.

Wembley Stadium will host the penultimate rounds and the championship match, which will be held on Sunday 9 July with a start time at 5pm.

It is expected that an earlier start, which will also be adopted for European club finals from next season, will cater to households and help connect with a more diverse set of audiences.

Qualifying Teams

The Ireland are due to play their first game at the Aviva Stadium and the Tartan Army would do the same at Hampden Park.

All four host countries’ teams will take part in the preliminary stage; two automatic spots will be reserved for any that miss out on the tournament through the standard process.

Venues and Playoffs

The Birmingham venue and Spurs’ ground finalize the event’s nine venues. All will hold at least one playoff fixture, with the quarter-finals held at the national stadium of each host.

The draw for the qualifiers will be conducted in Belfast, which was excluded as a venue city last year when it became clear the Belfast stadium could not be renovated in time, on a date in late 2026.

Leadership Comment

“The event will be a competition for the fans and a festival of everything we value about the football – its passion and capacity to bring people together.”

Over 3 million tickets, a unprecedented number for a men’s European Championship, are projected to be released to fans.