The English Team to Start the European Championship 2028 Journey at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium

The England national team will initiate their 2028 European Championship adventure at the Manchester City’s stadium, on the condition that they secure the expected qualification for a championship hosted across the majority of the UK and the Ireland.

Manchester City’s home ground has not staged an England men’s game since the spring of 2016, when the visitors were overcome 2-1 in a friendly, but is expected to host the Three Lions for their opening fixture on June 10, 2028.

The team are set 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. Placing second would mean beginning the knockouts at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Competition Opening and Demonstration

The event was launched at an ceremony in central London on Wednesday night. High-ranking officials from the tournament organizers and the host FAs were confronted as they approached the site by about 50 activists, who called for the Israeli team to be kicked out from the sport because of the Gaza crisis.

Placards were displayed with phrases saying “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while protesters shouted: “Kick Israel out.”

Event Timeline

The first match of Euro 2028 will be held at the Principality Stadium in the Welsh capital, on June 9, 2028, a game that will include the Welsh team if they qualify.

Wembley Stadium will host both semi-finals and the final, which will be held on July 9, 2028 with a start time at 5:00 PM.

It is hoped that an afternoon start, which will also be used for Champions League finals from the following campaign, will cater to households and help reach a broader range of audiences.

Qualifying Teams

The Irish team are due to play their initial fixture at the Aviva Stadium and Scotland would follow suit at the national stadium of Scotland.

All four host countries’ teams will participate in the qualification process; two reserved places will be reserved for any that miss out on the finals through the qualification path.

Stadiums and Knockout Stage

The Birmingham venue and The North London arena round out the nine host stadiums. Every stadium will hold at least one elimination game, with the quarter-finals played at each country’s national stadium.

The qualification draw will be conducted in Belfast, which was dropped as a host city last year when it emerged Casement Park could not be upgraded in time, on December 6, 2026.

Official Statement

“The event will be a championship for the fans and a showcase of everything we value about the sport – its fervor and ability to unite individuals.”

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