🔗 Share this article The English Team to Begin Euro 2028 Journey at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium The England national team will embark on their Euro 2028 campaign at the Etihad Stadium, on the condition that they secure the expected qualification for a competition taking place in the majority of the UK and the Ireland. City’s stadium has not hosted an England men’s fixture since the spring of 2016, when the Turkish team were beaten 2-1 in a exhibition match, but is highly likely to stage the England side for their inaugural game on June 10, 2028. The team are scheduled to play their final two group matches at the national stadium, but, in the event of winning Group B, their knockout stage opener would occur at St James’ Park. Securing the runner-up spot would mean commencing the elimination stage at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium. Competition Opening and Demonstration The tournament was launched at an event in central London on Wednesday evening. Key representatives from the tournament organizers and the host FAs were heckled as they approached the site by approximately 50 protesters, who called for Israel to be removed from global football because of the conflict in Gaza. Banners were raised with messages saying “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 played at the the national stadium of Wales in the Welsh capital, on Friday 9 June, a match that will feature Wales if they make it. Wembley will host the two semi-final matches and the championship match, which will be staged on a Sunday in July 2028 with a start time at 5pm. It is anticipated that an afternoon start, which will also be implemented for UEFA Champions League finals from next season, will attract families and help engage a broader range of audiences. Qualifying Teams The Ireland are set to play their first game at the Dublin stadium and the Scottish team would do the same at Glasgow’s Hampden Park. Each host nation’s squad will enter the qualification process; two automatic spots will be reserved for any that miss out on Euro 2028 through the standard process. Locations and Playoffs Villa Park and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium finalize the nine host stadiums. All will hold at least one playoff fixture, with the quarter-finals played at each country’s national stadium. The draw for the qualifiers will be held in Belfast, which was removed as a venue city last year when it became clear the Belfast stadium could not be renovated in time, on 6 December 2026. Official Statement “It will be a competition for the followers and a festival of everything we cherish about the sport – 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 fans.