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The England national team will embark on their 2028 European Championship journey at the Manchester City’s stadium, assuming they achieve the expected qualification for a championship staged throughout the bulk of Britain and the Ireland.

The Etihad Stadium has not welcomed an Three Lions match since May 2016, when the Turkish team were beaten 2-1 in a friendly, but is almost certain to host the Three Lions for their opening fixture on Saturday 10 June 2028.

The English side are planned to play their last two group stage games at the national stadium, but, in the event of winning the preliminary round, their last-16 tie would be held at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Securing the runner-up spot would mean starting the knockouts at Everton’s ground.

Competition Launch and Rally

The championship was inaugurated at an gathering in central London on Wednesday evening. Senior figures from Uefa and the organizing bodies were barracked as they entered the location by about 50 pro-Palestine demonstrators, who called for Israel’s national side to be expelled from the sport because of the conflict in Gaza.

Banners were displayed with messages stating “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while activists shouted: “Kick Israel out.”

Event Schedule

The opening game of the European Championship will be staged at the Cardiff’s stadium in the Welsh capital, on June 9, 2028, a game that will include the Welsh team if they secure a place.

Wembley will host the two semi-final matches and the championship match, which will be staged on Sunday 9 July with a start time at late afternoon.

It is anticipated that an earlier start, which will also be used for Champions League finals from next season, will attract family audiences and help engage a broader range of audiences.

Qualifying Teams

The Ireland are scheduled to play their first game at the Dublin stadium and the Tartan Army would play similarly at Glasgow’s Hampden Park.

All four host countries’ teams will enter the qualification process; two guaranteed slots will be reserved for any that do not reach the finals through the standard process.

Stadiums and Elimination Phase

Aston Villa’s stadium and The North London arena round out the event’s nine venues. Every stadium will hold at least one elimination game, with the last eight played at each country’s national stadium.

The qualification draw will be held in the Northern Irish capital, which was excluded as a host city last year when it became clear the Belfast stadium could not be redeveloped in time, on December 6, 2026.

Leadership Comment

“It will be a tournament for the fans and a celebration of everything we love about the sport – its emotion and ability to bring people together.”

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