The Three Lions to Launch the European Championship 2028 Journey at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium

The England national team will initiate their Euro 2028 adventure at the Manchester City’s stadium, assuming they attain the anticipated qualification for a competition hosted across the majority of the UK and the Irish Republic.

The Etihad Stadium has not staged an Three Lions match since May 2016, when the Turkish team were defeated 2-1 in a friendly, but is almost certain to host the England side for their first match on a Saturday in June 2028.

The team are scheduled to play their concluding group fixtures at the national stadium, but, if they top Group B, their last-16 tie would be held at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Finishing second would mean beginning the knockouts at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Tournament Kickoff and Protest

The championship was inaugurated at an ceremony in central London on Wednesday night. Key representatives from Uefa and the organizing bodies were heckled as they approached the venue by around fifty activists, who called for Israel to be kicked out from international football because of the situation in Gaza.

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

Championship Timeline

The inaugural fixture of Euro 2028 will be played at the Principality Stadium in the Welsh capital, on a Friday in June 2028, a match that will include the Dragons if they secure a place.

The national stadium will host both semi-finals and the championship match, which will be held on July 9, 2028 with a kick-off time at 5pm.

It is anticipated that an earlier start, which will also be implemented for UEFA Champions League finals from the upcoming season, will attract households and help engage a broader range of fans.

Host Nations

The Republic of Ireland are due to play their first game at the Dublin stadium and the Tartan Army would follow suit at the national stadium of Scotland.

Each host nation’s squad will enter the qualifying tournament; two automatic spots will be held in reserve for any that miss out on the finals through that route.

Locations and Elimination Phase

Aston Villa’s stadium and The North London arena finalize the event’s nine venues. All will hold at least one elimination game, with the quarter-finals played at every host’s main arena.

The draw for the qualifiers will be staged in the Northern Irish capital, which was excluded as a tournament location last year when it emerged the proposed venue could not be renovated in time, on December 6, 2026.

Tournament Vision

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

In excess of three million tickets, a record for a UEFA European Championship, are projected to be made available to supporters.