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The England national team will initiate their 2028 European Championship campaign at the Etihad Stadium, assuming they attain the expected qualification for a tournament hosted across most of the United Kingdom and the Irish Republic.

City’s stadium has not welcomed an Three Lions fixture since eight years ago, when Turkey were overcome 2-1 in a warm-up game, but is expected to host the national team for their first match on a Saturday in June 2028.

The English side are set to play their final two group matches at the national stadium, but, should they win Group B, their last-16 tie would occur at St James’ Park. Finishing second would mean starting the playoffs at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Competition Kickoff and Rally

The championship was unveiled at an gathering in a London landmark on Wednesday evening. Senior figures from Uefa and the organizing bodies were heckled as they entered the site by about 50 protesters, who demanded the Israeli team to be kicked out from the sport because of the conflict in Gaza.

Placards were displayed with slogans stating “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while activists called out: “Kick Israel out.”

Event Fixture List

The first match of the tournament will be played at the Principality Stadium in the Welsh capital, on Friday 9 June, a game that will include the Welsh team if they secure a place.

Wembley Stadium will host the penultimate rounds and the final, which will be staged on July 9, 2028 with a start time at 5pm.

It is expected that an afternoon start, which will also be adopted for UEFA Champions League finals from the upcoming season, will attract families and help engage a wider spectrum of fans.

Qualifying Teams

The Republic of Ireland are due to play their first game at the Dublin Arena and Scotland would follow suit at Glasgow’s Hampden Park.

The national sides of all four hosts will take part in the qualification process; two reserved places will be set aside for any that miss out on the finals through the qualification path.

Stadiums and Playoffs

Villa Park and Spurs’ ground complete the nine host stadiums. Every stadium will hold at least one knockout match, with the quarterfinal matches played at every host’s main arena.

The qualifying draw will be staged in the Northern Irish capital, which was removed as a host city last year when it was revealed the proposed venue could not be redeveloped in time, on 6 December 2026.

Official Statement

“It will be a competition for the fans and a showcase of everything we cherish about the game – its passion and capacity to unite individuals.”

More than three million tickets, a all-time high for a men’s European Championship, are anticipated to be released to fans.