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The English squad will initiate their 2028 European Championship adventure at the Etihad Stadium, assuming they secure the expected passage for a championship hosted across the bulk of Britain and the Ireland.

Manchester City’s home ground has not hosted an Three Lions match since May 2016, when Turkey were beaten 2-1 in a friendly, but is expected to host the England side for their opening fixture on a Saturday in June 2028.

The team are planned to play their concluding group fixtures at Wembley Stadium, but, should they win the preliminary round, their knockout stage opener would be held at St James’ Park. Placing second would mean beginning the playoffs at Everton’s ground.

Championship Kickoff and Protest

The event was unveiled at an ceremony in a London landmark on Wednesday evening. Senior figures from the tournament organizers and the host FAs were barracked as they approached the location by about 50 protesters, who urged Israel’s national side to be kicked out from the sport because of the situation in Gaza.

Placards were displayed with phrases reading “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while protesters chanted: “Kick Israel out.”

Tournament Schedule

The inaugural fixture of the tournament will be staged at the Cardiff’s stadium in Cardiff, on a Friday in June 2028, a match that will feature Wales if they make it.

The national stadium will host the penultimate rounds and the final, which will be staged on July 9, 2028 with a kick-off time at late afternoon.

It is expected that an earlier kick-off, which will also be implemented for UEFA Champions League finals from the upcoming season, will attract households and help reach a more diverse set of fans.

Participating Countries

The Ireland are set to play their first game at the Dublin Arena and the Scottish team would play similarly at Glasgow’s Hampden Park.

The national sides of all four hosts will take part in the qualifying tournament; two guaranteed slots will be held in reserve for any that do not reach Euro 2028 through the qualification path.

Stadiums and Elimination Phase

Villa Park and The North London arena complete the nine host stadiums. Each one will hold at least one knockout match, with the last eight held at every host’s main arena.

The qualifying draw will be staged in the Northern Irish capital, which was dropped as a host city last year when it became clear the proposed venue could not be upgraded in time, on a date in late 2026.

Official Statement

“It will be a championship for the supporters and a festival of everything we value about the football – its emotion and ability to bring people together.”

In excess of three million admissions, a all-time high for a men’s European Championship, are expected to be released to supporters.