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England’s men’s team will commence their Euro 2028 campaign at the Etihad Stadium, on the condition that they achieve the relatively straightforward entry for a tournament hosted across the majority of the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

The Etihad Stadium has not staged an Three Lions match since eight years ago, when Turkey were overcome 2-1 in a friendly, but is expected to welcome the Three Lions for their first match on a Saturday in June 2028.

England are set to play their concluding group fixtures at Wembley Stadium, but, should they win the preliminary round, their last-16 tie would occur at the Newcastle stadium. Finishing second would mean commencing the knockouts at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Competition Kickoff and Demonstration

The championship was launched at an gathering in Piccadilly Circus on the previous evening. Senior figures from Uefa and the organizing bodies were barracked as they entered the venue by around fifty protesters, who urged Israel’s national side to be kicked out from international football because of the Gaza crisis.

Signs were held up with slogans stating “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while protesters chanted: “Kick Israel out.”

Championship Fixture List

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

Wembley will host both semi-finals and the title decider, which will be held on Sunday 9 July with a start time at 5pm.

It is anticipated that an afternoon start, which will also be adopted for Champions League finals from the upcoming season, will attract families and help reach a broader range of viewers.

Host Nations

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

The national sides of all four hosts will enter the preliminary stage; two reserved places will be set aside for any that fail to qualify for Euro 2028 through the qualification path.

Locations and Knockout Stage

Aston Villa’s stadium and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium round out the nine host stadiums. All will hold at least one elimination game, with the quarter-finals held at each country’s national stadium.

The qualifying draw will be staged in Belfast, which was dropped as a tournament location last year when it emerged the proposed venue could not be renovated in time, on 6 December 2026.

Official Statement

“This will be a tournament for the followers and a showcase of everything we love about the game – its fervor and power to bring people together.”

Over 3 million tickets, a record for a UEFA European Championship, are projected to be offered to attendees.