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England’s men’s team will initiate their Euro 2028 journey at the Etihad Stadium, on the condition that they achieve the anticipated qualification for a competition taking place in the majority of the UK and the Irish Republic.

Manchester City’s home ground has not staged an English men’s fixture since the spring of 2016, when the visitors were overcome 2-1 in a warm-up game, but is highly likely to welcome the England side for their first match on Saturday 10 June 2028.

The English side are scheduled to play their last two group stage games at the national stadium, but, if they top Group B, their last-16 tie would occur at the Newcastle stadium. Placing second would mean beginning the playoffs at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Tournament Opening and Protest

The tournament was unveiled at an ceremony in a London landmark on Wednesday evening. Senior figures from European football’s governing body and the host FAs were confronted as they arrived the location by about 50 activists, who demanded Israel’s national side to be kicked out from the sport because of the conflict in Gaza.

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

Tournament Timeline

The opening game of Euro 2028 will be held at the Principality Stadium in the Welsh capital, on June 9, 2028, a match that will include Wales if they make it.

The national stadium will host the two semi-final matches and the championship match, which will be staged on a Sunday in July 2028 with a commencement at 5pm.

It is anticipated that an afternoon start, which will also be used for UEFA Champions League finals from the following campaign, will cater to family audiences and help reach a more diverse set of fans.

Participating Countries

The Ireland are due to play their initial fixture at the Dublin Arena and the Tartan Army would follow suit at Glasgow’s Hampden Park.

All four host countries’ teams will participate in the preliminary stage; two automatic spots will be reserved for any that fail to qualify for the finals through that route.

Venues and Knockout Stage

Aston Villa’s stadium and Spurs’ ground finalize the event’s nine venues. Each one will hold at least one knockout match, with the quarterfinal matches staged at each country’s national stadium.

The qualification draw will be staged in the Northern Irish capital, which was removed as a host city last year when it became clear the Belfast stadium could not be renovated in time, on a date in late 2026.

Tournament Vision

“This will be a competition for the supporters and a celebration of everything we value about the football – its fervor and ability to bring people together.”

More than three million admissions, a unprecedented number for a men’s European Championship, are projected to be made available to supporters.