The Three Lions to Start UEFA Euro 2028 Campaign at the Etihad Stadium

England’s men’s team will embark on their 2028 European Championship campaign at the Manchester City’s stadium, assuming they achieve the anticipated entry for a championship staged throughout most of the United Kingdom and the Irish Republic.

The Etihad Stadium has not staged an Three Lions game since May 2016, when the Turkish team were beaten 2-1 in a exhibition match, but is expected to welcome the England side for their first match on June 10, 2028.

The English side are planned to play their last two group stage games at the national stadium, but, if they top Group B, their knockout stage opener would be held at the Newcastle stadium. Placing second would mean commencing the elimination stage at Everton’s ground.

Championship Launch and Rally

The championship was unveiled at an event in Piccadilly Circus on the previous evening. Key representatives from European football’s governing body and the organizing bodies were heckled as they entered the venue by about 50 pro-Palestine demonstrators, who urged the Israeli team to be kicked out from the sport because of the conflict in Gaza.

Banners were raised with messages stating “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while demonstrators called out: “Kick Israel out.”

Championship Schedule

The opening game of Euro 2028 will be played at the Principality Stadium in the Welsh capital, on June 9, 2028, a game that will include the Dragons if they make it.

Wembley will host the two semi-final matches and the final, which will be staged on Sunday 9 July with a kick-off time at 5:00 PM.

It is anticipated that an afternoon start, which will also be used for Champions League finals from the upcoming season, will attract family audiences and help engage a wider spectrum of viewers.

Participating Countries

The Ireland are due to play their opening match at the Dublin stadium and Scotland would follow suit at Glasgow’s Hampden Park.

All four host countries’ teams will participate in the qualification process; two guaranteed slots will be reserved for any that fail to qualify for the finals through that route.

Locations and Elimination Phase

Aston Villa’s stadium and Spurs’ ground round out the nine tournament locations. Each one will hold at least one knockout match, with the quarter-finals held at every host’s main arena.

The draw for the qualifiers will be staged in Belfast, which was removed as a tournament location last year when it was revealed the proposed venue could not be renovated in time, on 6 December 2026.

Leadership Comment

“It will be a tournament for the followers and a showcase of everything we cherish about the football – its emotion and ability to bring people together.”

Over 3 million tickets, a unprecedented number for a Euro tournament, are expected to be released to fans.