🔗 Share this article The Three Lions to Begin the European Championship 2028 Journey at City’s Home Ground The England national team will initiate their Euro 2028 adventure at the the home of Manchester City, assuming they achieve the relatively straightforward entry for a championship staged throughout the majority of the UK and the Irish Republic. The Etihad Stadium has not hosted an England men’s match since the spring of 2016, when the visitors were overcome 2-1 in a warm-up game, but is expected to host the England side for their first match on Saturday 10 June 2028. England are scheduled to play their concluding group fixtures at Wembley, but, if they top the preliminary round, their round of 16 match would be held at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Finishing second would mean commencing the playoffs at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Competition Kickoff and Demonstration The tournament was launched at an gathering in central London on Wednesday evening. Senior figures from the tournament organizers and the host football associations were barracked as they approached the site by approximately 50 activists, who called for Israel’s national side to be expelled from global football because of the conflict in Gaza. Placards were raised with messages saying “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while demonstrators called out: “Kick Israel out.” Tournament Schedule The opening game of the tournament will be played at the the national stadium of Wales in the Welsh capital, on Friday 9 June, a fixture that will include Wales if they make it. Wembley will host the two semi-final matches and the final, which will be played on a Sunday in July 2028 with a start time at late afternoon. It is expected that an earlier kick-off, which will also be used for European club finals from the upcoming season, will cater to households and help reach a wider spectrum of viewers. Qualifying Teams The Republic of Ireland are set to play their initial fixture at the Dublin Arena and the Tartan Army would do the same at the national stadium of Scotland. Each host nation’s squad will participate in the preliminary stage; two automatic spots will be reserved for any that do not reach the tournament through the qualification path. Venues and Knockout Stage Villa Park and The North London arena round out the nine tournament locations. All will hold at least one elimination game, with the quarter-finals held at every host’s main arena. The qualifying draw will be held in Belfast, which was removed as a venue city last year when it became clear Casement Park could not be redeveloped in time, on a date in late 2026. Leadership Comment “This will be a championship for the supporters and a showcase of everything we value about the sport – its passion and capacity to bring people together.” In excess of three million tickets, a unprecedented number for a UEFA European Championship, are projected to be offered to fans.