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

The England national team will commence their 2028 European Championship adventure at the Manchester City’s stadium, provided that they achieve the expected qualification for a competition taking place in the bulk of Britain and the Ireland.

The Etihad Stadium has not staged an England men’s game since May 2016, when the visitors were overcome 2-1 in a friendly, but is expected to welcome the national team for their first match on June 10, 2028.

The English side are planned to play their last two group stage games at Wembley Stadium, but, should they win their group, their knockout stage opener would take place at St James’ Park. Placing second would mean starting the playoffs at Everton’s ground.

Championship Launch and Protest

The championship was unveiled at an ceremony in central London on Wednesday evening. Key representatives from European football’s governing body and the host football associations were confronted as they arrived the site by about 50 activists, who called for the Israeli team to be expelled from the sport because of the situation in Gaza.

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

Event Fixture List

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

Wembley will host the penultimate rounds and the championship match, which will be staged on Sunday 9 July with a commencement at late afternoon.

It is expected that an afternoon start, which will also be adopted for UEFA Champions League finals from the following campaign, will appeal to families and help connect with a broader range of viewers.

Host Nations

The Irish team are scheduled to play their opening match at the Dublin stadium and the Scottish team would do the same at Glasgow’s Hampden Park.

All four host countries’ teams will participate in the qualification process; two reserved places will be reserved for any that do not reach the finals through that route.

Venues and Knockout Stage

Aston Villa’s stadium and Spurs’ ground finalize the event’s nine venues. All will hold at least one elimination game, with the last eight staged at every host’s main arena.

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

Official Statement

“The event will be a championship for the fans and a showcase of everything we love about the game – its emotion and power to foster unity.”

In excess of three million passes, a all-time high for a Euro tournament, are expected to be released to fans.