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England’s men’s team will embark on their Euro 2028 journey at the the home of Manchester City, assuming they achieve the anticipated entry for a championship hosted across the majority of the UK and the Irish Republic.

The Etihad Stadium has not staged an England men’s match since the spring of 2016, when the Turkish team were overcome 2-1 in a exhibition match, but is expected to welcome the Three Lions for their opening fixture on a Saturday in June 2028.

The team are planned to play their final two group matches at Wembley, but, in the event of winning their group, their knockout stage opener would take place at the Newcastle stadium. Finishing second would mean beginning the knockouts at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Tournament Kickoff and Demonstration

The championship was launched at an gathering in a London landmark on the previous evening. Key representatives from European football’s governing body and the organizing bodies were confronted as they arrived the site by about 50 pro-Palestine demonstrators, who urged Israel’s national side to be removed from global football because of the Gaza crisis.

Signs were raised with messages reading “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while protesters called out: “Kick Israel out.”

Tournament Schedule

The first match of the European Championship will be held at the Cardiff’s stadium in the Welsh capital, on Friday 9 June, a match that will involve the Welsh team if they make it.

Wembley will host the two semi-final matches and the title decider, which will be staged on Sunday 9 July with a start time at late afternoon.

It is anticipated that an earlier start, which will also be used for Champions League finals from the following campaign, will appeal to family audiences and help engage a wider spectrum of viewers.

Qualifying Teams

The Ireland are due to play their first game at the Aviva Stadium and the Tartan Army would do the same at Glasgow’s Hampden Park.

All four host countries’ teams will enter the preliminary stage; two reserved places will be set aside for any that do not reach Euro 2028 through the qualification path.

Stadiums and Playoffs

Villa Park and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium complete the event’s nine venues. Each one will hold at least one playoff fixture, with the quarter-finals staged at every host’s main arena.

The draw for the qualifiers will be conducted in Belfast, which was removed as a venue city last year when it emerged Casement Park could not be renovated in time, on 6 December 2026.

Tournament Vision

“It will be a tournament for the fans and a celebration of everything we cherish about the football – its fervor and capacity to bring people together.”

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