🔗 Share this article England to Launch the European Championship 2028 Journey at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium The English squad will embark on their 2028 European Championship journey at the the home of Manchester City, assuming they achieve the anticipated entry for a championship staged throughout most of the United Kingdom and the Ireland. Manchester City’s home ground has not welcomed an English men’s game since eight years ago, when the visitors were beaten 2-1 in a warm-up game, but is highly likely to stage the national team for their first match on Saturday 10 June 2028. The team are planned to play their final two group matches at the national stadium, but, should they win their group, their knockout stage opener would occur at St James’ Park. Finishing second would mean starting the knockouts at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium. Championship Opening and Rally The championship was unveiled at an ceremony in Piccadilly Circus on the previous evening. Key representatives from European football’s governing body and the host FAs were barracked as they approached the site by around fifty pro-Palestine demonstrators, who urged the Israeli team to be removed from the sport because of the Gaza crisis. Placards were held up with phrases stating “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while activists called out: “Kick Israel out.” Tournament Timeline The inaugural fixture of Euro 2028 will be held at the Principality Stadium in the Welsh capital, on a Friday in June 2028, a game that will involve Wales if they make it. The national stadium will host the two semi-final matches and the title decider, which will be held on a Sunday in July 2028 with a start time at 5pm. It is hoped that an earlier start, which will also be used for European club finals from the following campaign, will attract families and help engage a wider spectrum of audiences. Qualifying Teams The Ireland are set to play their first game at the Dublin Arena and the Tartan Army would follow suit at the national stadium of Scotland. The national sides of all four hosts will take part in the qualifying tournament; two automatic spots will be held in reserve for any that do not reach the tournament through the qualification path. Venues and Playoffs Villa Park and The North London arena complete the nine host stadiums. All will hold at least one elimination game, with the quarterfinal matches played at the national stadium of each host. The qualifying draw will be staged in Belfast, which was removed as a host city last year when it became clear the Belfast stadium could not be upgraded in time, on December 6, 2026. Official Statement “The event will be a championship for the fans and a showcase of everything we value about the game – its passion and capacity to foster unity.” More than three million tickets, a unprecedented number for a Euro tournament, are expected to be made available to attendees.