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The English squad will embark on their 2028 European Championship campaign at the Etihad Stadium, provided that they achieve the expected qualification for a competition hosted across most of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.

Manchester City’s home ground has not hosted an Three Lions game since the spring of 2016, when the Turkish team were defeated 2-1 in a warm-up game, but is highly likely to welcome the England side for their inaugural game on a Saturday in June 2028.

England are set to play their concluding group fixtures at Wembley Stadium, but, in the event of winning their group, their last-16 tie would be held at the Newcastle stadium. Placing second would mean commencing the elimination stage at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Championship Opening and Rally

The tournament was launched at an ceremony in a London landmark on the previous evening. Senior figures from Uefa and the host football associations were heckled as they arrived the location by about 50 pro-Palestine demonstrators, who urged Israel to be expelled from international football because of the situation in Gaza.

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

Championship Fixture List

The first match of the tournament will be played at the Cardiff’s stadium in the Welsh capital, on June 9, 2028, a match that will involve Wales if they make it.

Wembley 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 5:00 PM.

It is expected that an afternoon start, which will also be used for UEFA Champions League finals from next season, will cater to households and help engage a more diverse set of viewers.

Qualifying Teams

The Irish team are due to play their initial fixture at the Dublin Arena and the Tartan Army would follow suit at Hampden Park.

The national sides of all four hosts will take part in the qualifying tournament; two reserved places will be set aside for any that fail to qualify for the finals through the qualification path.

Locations and Playoffs

The Birmingham venue and The North London arena complete the nine host stadiums. Each one will hold at least one playoff fixture, with the quarterfinal matches staged at each country’s national stadium.

The qualification draw will be staged in Belfast, which was dropped as a host city last year when it emerged the proposed venue could not be renovated in time, on December 6, 2026.

Official Statement

“This will be a championship for the supporters and a festival of everything we love about the football – its emotion and power to unite individuals.”

More than three million admissions, a all-time high for a men’s European Championship, are expected to be made available to attendees.