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The English squad will commence their 2028 European Championship campaign at the the home of Manchester City, on the condition that they attain the anticipated entry for a championship staged throughout the bulk of Britain and the Ireland.

City’s stadium has not welcomed an English men’s match since eight years ago, when Turkey were defeated 2-1 in a warm-up game, but is highly likely to welcome the Three Lions for their inaugural game on a Saturday in June 2028.

The English side are set to play their concluding group fixtures at Wembley, but, in the event of winning their group, their knockout stage opener would take place at the Newcastle stadium. Securing the runner-up spot would mean commencing the knockouts at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Championship Opening and Rally

The tournament was inaugurated at an gathering in central London on the previous evening. High-ranking officials from the tournament organizers and the host FAs were barracked as they approached the location by approximately 50 protesters, who urged Israel to be kicked out from global football because of the Gaza crisis.

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

Event Timeline

The opening game of Euro 2028 will be staged at the Cardiff’s stadium in the Welsh capital, on a Friday in June 2028, a fixture that will include Wales if they secure a place.

The national stadium will host the penultimate rounds and the final, which will be held on Sunday 9 July with a start time at 5:00 PM.

It is expected that an earlier kick-off, which will also be adopted for UEFA Champions League finals from the upcoming season, will appeal to households and help reach a wider spectrum of viewers.

Qualifying Teams

The Republic of Ireland are scheduled to play their opening match at the Dublin stadium and Scotland would follow suit at Glasgow’s Hampden Park.

The national sides of all four hosts will enter the qualifying tournament; two reserved places will be held in reserve for any that fail to qualify for the tournament through that route.

Locations and Knockout Stage

The Birmingham venue and Spurs’ ground round out the event’s nine venues. All will hold at least one playoff fixture, with the quarter-finals staged at each country’s national stadium.

The qualification draw will be staged in the Northern Irish capital, which was dropped as a host city last year when it became clear Casement Park could not be upgraded in time, on December 6, 2026.

Official Statement

“The event will be a competition for the supporters and a festival of everything we love about the game – its passion and power to unite individuals.”

Over 3 million passes, a unprecedented number for a men’s European Championship, are expected to be offered to supporters.