🔗 Share this article England to Launch Euro 2028 Journey at the Etihad Stadium The England national team will commence their Euro 2028 campaign at the Manchester City’s stadium, provided that they achieve the expected qualification for a championship hosted across the majority of the UK and the Irish Republic. The Etihad Stadium has not hosted an Three Lions match since eight years ago, when the Turkish team were defeated 2-1 in a exhibition match, but is almost certain to stage the England side for their first match on a Saturday in June 2028. England are scheduled to play their concluding group fixtures at the national stadium, but, in the event of winning Group B, their last-16 tie would occur at St James’ Park. Securing the runner-up spot would mean commencing the playoffs at Everton’s ground. Tournament Opening and Rally The event was inaugurated at an ceremony in central London on the previous evening. Key representatives from the tournament organizers and the host FAs were heckled as they arrived the location by around fifty pro-Palestine demonstrators, who called for the Israeli team to be expelled from global football because of the situation in Gaza. Placards were raised with phrases saying “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while activists chanted: “Kick Israel out.” Event Fixture List The opening game of the European Championship will be staged at the the national stadium of Wales in Cardiff, on Friday 9 June, a match that will feature the Welsh team if they make it. The national stadium will host the two semi-final matches and the final, which will be held on July 9, 2028 with a kick-off time at late afternoon. It is hoped that an earlier start, which will also be adopted for UEFA Champions League finals from the upcoming season, will appeal to households and help connect with a broader range of audiences. Qualifying Teams The Ireland are scheduled to play their opening match at the Aviva Stadium and Scotland would do the same at Glasgow’s Hampden Park. The national sides of all four hosts will take part in the preliminary stage; two guaranteed slots will be held in reserve for any that do not reach Euro 2028 through the qualification path. Stadiums and Playoffs Aston Villa’s stadium and Spurs’ ground round out the nine tournament locations. Every stadium will hold at least one knockout match, with the last eight played at every host’s main arena. The draw for the qualifiers will be conducted in the Northern Irish capital, which was removed as a host city last year when it emerged the proposed venue could not be upgraded in time, on 6 December 2026. Leadership Comment “It will be a championship for the followers and a celebration of everything we love about the sport – its passion and power to foster unity.” Over 3 million admissions, a record for a men’s European Championship, are projected to be released to fans.