🔗 Share this article The English Team to Begin the European Championship 2028 Journey at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium The England national team will embark on their Euro 2028 journey at the Manchester City’s stadium, on the condition that they attain the relatively straightforward passage for a competition staged throughout the majority of the UK and the Irish Republic. City’s stadium has not staged an Three Lions game since the spring of 2016, when the visitors were defeated 2-1 in a friendly, but is almost certain to host the Three Lions for their inaugural game on June 10, 2028. The team are planned to play their last two group stage games at Wembley, but, if they top Group B, their last-16 tie would take place at St James’ Park. Finishing second would mean starting the elimination stage at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium. Tournament Opening and Demonstration The tournament was unveiled at an event in central London on Wednesday night. Key representatives from European football’s governing body and the organizing bodies were heckled as they approached the venue by about 50 activists, who demanded Israel’s national side to be kicked out from the sport because of the situation in Gaza. Placards were displayed with slogans saying “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while demonstrators called out: “Kick Israel out.” Tournament Fixture List The first match of the tournament will be staged at the the national stadium of Wales in Cardiff, on June 9, 2028, a match that will include the Dragons if they qualify. Wembley will host the two semi-final matches and the final, which will be held on a Sunday in July 2028 with a kick-off time at late afternoon. It is hoped that an earlier kick-off, which will also be used for European club finals from the following campaign, will cater to families and help connect with a broader range of fans. Qualifying Teams The Republic of Ireland are due to play their initial fixture at the Aviva Stadium and Scotland would do the same at Hampden Park. All four host countries’ teams will take part in the preliminary stage; two reserved places will be set aside for any that fail to qualify for Euro 2028 through that route. Venues and Knockout Stage Aston Villa’s stadium and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium finalize the nine tournament locations. Each one will hold at least one elimination game, with the quarterfinal matches staged at every host’s main arena. The qualification draw will be conducted in Belfast, which was removed as a tournament location last year when it became clear the Belfast stadium could not be upgraded in time, on a date in late 2026. Official Statement “This will be a competition for the fans and a festival of everything we love about the game – its fervor and capacity to unite individuals.” More than three million tickets, a unprecedented number for a UEFA European Championship, are projected to be released to supporters.