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The English squad will initiate their Euro 2028 journey at the Etihad Stadium, on the condition that they achieve the anticipated qualification for a championship hosted across the majority of the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

City’s stadium has not hosted an English men’s fixture since May 2016, when the visitors were defeated 2-1 in a warm-up game, but is highly likely to welcome the England side for their inaugural game on Saturday 10 June 2028.

England are set to play their last two group stage games at Wembley, but, should they win the preliminary round, their round of 16 match would occur at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Securing the runner-up spot would mean commencing the elimination stage at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Tournament Opening and Protest

The championship was unveiled at an gathering in a London landmark on Wednesday night. Senior figures from the tournament organizers and the host football associations were heckled as they entered the location by about 50 protesters, who demanded Israel to be expelled from the sport because of the conflict in Gaza.

Banners were held up with slogans saying “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while demonstrators shouted: “Kick Israel out.”

Championship Fixture List

The first match of the European Championship will be played at the Cardiff’s stadium in Cardiff, on Friday 9 June, a game that will feature the Dragons if they qualify.

The national stadium will host the penultimate rounds and the final, which will be played on a Sunday in July 2028 with a kick-off time at late afternoon.

It is anticipated that an earlier start, which will also be adopted for Champions League finals from the upcoming season, will appeal to households and help reach a more diverse set of audiences.

Qualifying Teams

The Irish team are due to play their first game at the Dublin stadium and the Tartan Army would follow suit at Hampden Park.

All four host countries’ teams will take part in the preliminary stage; two guaranteed slots will be reserved for any that fail to qualify for the finals through the standard process.

Stadiums and Playoffs

The Birmingham venue and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium round out the event’s nine venues. 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 held in the Northern Irish capital, which was excluded as a tournament location last year when it emerged Casement Park could not be renovated in time, on a date in late 2026.

Official Statement

“It will be a competition for the followers and a festival of everything we cherish about the sport – its fervor and ability to bring people together.”

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