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England’s men’s team will initiate their UEFA Euro 2028 adventure at the Manchester City’s stadium, assuming they attain the anticipated qualification for a competition staged throughout most of the United Kingdom and the Irish Republic.

Manchester City’s home ground has not staged an Three Lions game since eight years ago, when Turkey were overcome 2-1 in a warm-up game, but is expected to welcome the national team for their opening fixture on Saturday 10 June 2028.

England are scheduled to play their last two group stage games at Wembley Stadium, but, in the event of winning Group B, their last-16 tie would be held at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Securing the runner-up spot would mean starting the elimination stage at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Tournament Opening and Rally

The tournament was launched at an ceremony in a London landmark on Wednesday evening. High-ranking officials from the tournament organizers and the organizing bodies were heckled as they entered the location by about 50 activists, who urged Israel to be expelled from the sport because of the Gaza crisis.

Banners were displayed with slogans saying “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while protesters chanted: “Kick Israel out.”

Championship Fixture List

The opening game of Euro 2028 will be staged at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, on Friday 9 June, a fixture that will include the Dragons if they secure a place.

Wembley will host both semi-finals and the championship match, which will be staged on Sunday 9 July with a kick-off time at 5pm.

It is hoped that an afternoon start, which will also be implemented for Champions League finals from next season, will cater to family audiences and help connect with a broader range of audiences.

Host Nations

The Ireland are set to play their initial fixture at the Dublin stadium and the Tartan Army would follow suit at the national stadium of Scotland.

All four host countries’ teams will enter the qualification process; two guaranteed slots will be set aside for any that miss out on the finals through the qualification path.

Venues and Knockout Stage

The Birmingham venue and Spurs’ ground round out the nine host stadiums. Every stadium will hold at least one knockout match, with the last eight staged at each country’s national stadium.

The draw for the qualifiers will be held in Belfast, which was removed as a tournament location last year when it became clear the Belfast stadium could not be redeveloped in time, on 6 December 2026.

Tournament Vision

“The event will be a championship for the fans and a showcase of everything we value about the football – its fervor and capacity to foster unity.”

Over 3 million tickets, a unprecedented number for a men’s European Championship, are anticipated to be made available to fans.