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

England’s men’s team will commence their 2028 European Championship journey at the Manchester City’s stadium, assuming they achieve the expected entry for a competition hosted across the bulk of Britain and the Ireland.

City’s stadium has not staged an Three Lions fixture since the spring of 2016, when the Turkish team were beaten 2-1 in a exhibition match, but is expected to stage the Three Lions for their opening fixture on Saturday 10 June 2028.

The English side are scheduled to play their concluding group fixtures at the national stadium, but, if they top the preliminary round, their round of 16 match would be held at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Securing the runner-up spot would mean starting the knockouts at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Tournament Opening and Demonstration

The tournament was inaugurated at an gathering in Piccadilly Circus on the previous evening. Senior figures from European football’s governing body and the host FAs were barracked as they approached the location by around fifty activists, who called for the Israeli team to be kicked out from global football because of the conflict in Gaza.

Placards were raised with messages stating “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while protesters chanted: “Kick Israel out.”

Event Timeline

The first match of Euro 2028 will be held at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, on a Friday in June 2028, a match that will feature Wales if they secure a place.

Wembley Stadium will host the penultimate rounds and the championship match, which will be staged on Sunday 9 July with a start time at 5:00 PM.

It is anticipated that an earlier kick-off, which will also be used for Champions League finals from the following campaign, will attract families and help engage a more diverse set of fans.

Host Nations

The Ireland are scheduled to play their first game at the Aviva Stadium and Scotland would follow suit at the national stadium of Scotland.

Each host nation’s squad will enter the qualification process; two reserved places will be set aside for any that do not reach the finals through the standard process.

Locations and Knockout Stage

Aston Villa’s stadium and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium finalize the event’s nine venues. All will hold at least one elimination game, with the quarterfinal matches held at each country’s national stadium.

The qualifying draw will be held in the Northern Irish capital, which was removed as a tournament location last year when it became clear the proposed venue could not be upgraded in time, on 6 December 2026.

Official Statement

“It will be a tournament for the fans and a showcase of everything we cherish about the sport – its emotion and capacity to unite individuals.”

More than three million tickets, a record for a UEFA European Championship, are projected to be released to attendees.