🔗 Share this article The Three Lions to Begin Euro 2028 Journey at City’s Home Ground The English squad will commence their 2028 European Championship adventure at the Etihad Stadium, on the condition that they secure the relatively straightforward entry for a competition taking place in the majority of the UK and the Ireland. The Etihad Stadium has not staged an England men’s game since eight years ago, when the Turkish team were beaten 2-1 in a warm-up game, but is almost certain to stage the Three Lions for their inaugural game on Saturday 10 June 2028. The English side are planned to play their final two group matches at Wembley Stadium, but, if they top Group B, their knockout stage opener would take place at the Newcastle stadium. Finishing second would mean beginning the knockouts at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium. Championship Opening and Protest The tournament was launched at an gathering in central London on Wednesday evening. Key representatives from Uefa and the host football associations were heckled as they approached the site by about 50 protesters, who called for the Israeli team to be kicked out from international football because of the conflict in Gaza. Banners were raised with phrases reading “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while demonstrators chanted: “Kick Israel out.” Championship Timeline The first match of the tournament will be played at the Cardiff’s stadium in Cardiff, on Friday 9 June, a fixture that will involve the Welsh team if they make it. The national stadium will host the two semi-final matches and the title decider, which will be played on July 9, 2028 with a start time at late afternoon. It is expected that an afternoon start, which will also be used for Champions League finals from the upcoming season, will attract family audiences and help connect with a wider spectrum of fans. Host Nations The Republic of Ireland are due to play their opening match at the Aviva Stadium and Scotland would play similarly at Glasgow’s Hampden Park. Each host nation’s squad will enter the qualification process; two reserved places will be reserved for any that fail to qualify for the finals through that route. Stadiums and Playoffs The Birmingham venue and Spurs’ ground complete the nine host stadiums. Every stadium will hold at least one knockout match, with the quarterfinal matches played at every host’s main arena. The qualifying draw will be conducted in the Northern Irish capital, which was excluded as a host city last year when it became clear the Belfast stadium could not be renovated in time, on December 6, 2026. Tournament Vision “It will be a tournament for the fans and a celebration of everything we love about the football – its emotion and power to unite individuals.” In excess of three million passes, a record for a Euro tournament, are expected to be made available to attendees.