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The English squad will initiate their UEFA Euro 2028 journey at the Manchester City’s stadium, on the condition that they attain the relatively straightforward qualification for a championship taking place in the majority of the UK and the Irish Republic.

City’s stadium has not welcomed an Three Lions game since eight years ago, when Turkey were defeated 2-1 in a exhibition match, but is expected to welcome the England side for their first match on a Saturday in June 2028.

The English side are set to play their concluding group fixtures at the national stadium, but, should they win their group, their round of 16 match would be held at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Securing the runner-up spot would mean beginning the elimination stage at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Championship Kickoff and Protest

The event was inaugurated at an gathering in central London on Wednesday evening. High-ranking officials from the tournament organizers and the host FAs were confronted as they entered the site by approximately 50 activists, who urged the Israeli team to be expelled from the sport because of the situation in Gaza.

Banners were raised with slogans reading “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while activists shouted: “Kick Israel out.”

Championship Schedule

The opening game of Euro 2028 will be played at the Cardiff’s stadium in Cardiff, on a Friday in June 2028, a match that will involve Wales if they qualify.

The national stadium will host the two semi-final matches and the final, which will be held on a Sunday in July 2028 with a kick-off time at 5pm.

It is hoped that an earlier kick-off, which will also be adopted for Champions League finals from the following campaign, will cater to family audiences and help connect with a more diverse set of audiences.

Host Nations

The Ireland are due to play their initial fixture at the Aviva Stadium 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 guaranteed slots will be held in reserve for any that miss out on the finals through the qualification path.

Venues and Elimination Phase

Villa Park and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium finalize the nine tournament locations. Each one will hold at least one playoff fixture, 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 was revealed the proposed venue could not be upgraded in time, on December 6, 2026.

Tournament Vision

“The event will be a tournament for the fans and a showcase of everything we value about the game – its fervor and capacity to bring people together.”

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