The English Team to Begin Euro 2028 Campaign at the Etihad Stadium

The England national team will embark on their 2028 European Championship adventure at the Etihad Stadium, assuming they secure the anticipated qualification for a tournament taking place in the majority of the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

The Etihad Stadium has not hosted an Three Lions fixture since eight years ago, when Turkey were overcome 2-1 in a warm-up game, but is highly likely to host the national team for their opening fixture on Saturday 10 June 2028.

England are planned to play their last two group stage games at Wembley, but, in the event of winning the preliminary round, their round of 16 match would occur at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Finishing second would mean beginning the knockouts at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Championship Launch and Demonstration

The tournament was unveiled at an event in Piccadilly Circus on Wednesday evening. Key representatives from European football’s governing body and the host FAs were barracked as they arrived the venue by about 50 activists, who called for Israel to be kicked out from the sport because of the Gaza crisis.

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

Event Timeline

The first match of Euro 2028 will be staged at the the national stadium of Wales in the Welsh capital, on Friday 9 June, a game that will feature the Dragons if they qualify.

Wembley Stadium will host the two semi-final matches and the championship match, which will be played on Sunday 9 July with a kick-off time at 5:00 PM.

It is anticipated that an earlier kick-off, which will also be used for UEFA Champions League finals from the upcoming season, will cater to family audiences and help connect with a wider spectrum of audiences.

Qualifying Teams

The Irish team are scheduled to play their initial fixture at the Aviva Stadium and the Tartan Army would do the same at Hampden Park.

All four host countries’ teams will enter the preliminary stage; two reserved places will be set aside for any that miss out on the tournament through the qualification path.

Stadiums and Elimination Phase

The Birmingham venue and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium complete the event’s nine venues. Each one will hold at least one knockout match, with the quarterfinal matches staged at every host’s main arena.

The draw for the qualifiers will be held in the Northern Irish capital, which was removed as a venue city last year when it emerged Casement Park could not be renovated in time, on a date in late 2026.

Tournament Vision

“It will be a championship for the followers and a festival of everything we love about the game – its passion and power to foster unity.”

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