England to Start UEFA Euro 2028 Campaign at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium

The England national team will initiate their UEFA Euro 2028 journey at the Manchester City’s stadium, provided that they achieve the expected passage for a competition hosted across the majority of the UK and the Irish Republic.

The Etihad Stadium has not welcomed an Three Lions game since the spring of 2016, when the visitors were defeated 2-1 in a exhibition match, but is highly likely to stage the England side for their inaugural game on Saturday 10 June 2028.

The English side are scheduled to play their last two group stage games at the national stadium, but, in the event of winning their group, their last-16 tie would occur at the Newcastle stadium. Securing the runner-up spot would mean commencing the playoffs at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Competition Opening and Rally

The tournament was unveiled at an gathering in a London landmark on Wednesday night. Key representatives from the tournament organizers and the organizing bodies were barracked as they approached the location by about 50 activists, who urged Israel to be expelled from the sport because of the situation in Gaza.

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

Tournament Fixture List

The first match of Euro 2028 will be held at the the national stadium of Wales in Cardiff, on a Friday in June 2028, a match that will feature Wales if they qualify.

The national stadium will host the two semi-final matches and the title decider, which will be played on a Sunday in July 2028 with a kick-off time at late afternoon.

It is expected that an earlier start, which will also be adopted for UEFA Champions League finals from next season, will attract family audiences and help reach a wider spectrum of fans.

Participating Countries

The Ireland are set to play their opening match at the Dublin Arena and the Tartan Army would play similarly at Glasgow’s Hampden Park.

Each host nation’s squad will participate in the qualifying tournament; two automatic spots will be held in reserve for any that fail to qualify for the finals through that route.

Venues and Playoffs

Villa Park and The North London arena complete the event’s nine venues. All will hold at least one elimination game, with the quarter-finals held at the national stadium of each host.

The qualification draw will be staged in the Northern Irish capital, which was removed as a host city last year when it was revealed the Belfast stadium could not be renovated in time, on a date in late 2026.

Official Statement

“The event will be a championship for the fans and a celebration of everything we love about the football – its passion and capacity to foster unity.”

Over 3 million tickets, a record for a men’s European Championship, are projected to be offered to attendees.