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England’s men’s team will initiate their 2028 European Championship campaign at the Etihad Stadium, provided that they secure the expected qualification for a competition hosted across the majority of the UK and the Ireland.

City’s stadium has not hosted an Three Lions game since the spring of 2016, when the Turkish team were defeated 2-1 in a friendly, but is highly likely to welcome the Three Lions for their first match on June 10, 2028.

The team are scheduled to play their last two group stage games at the national stadium, but, if they top Group B, their round of 16 match would take place at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Securing the runner-up spot would mean starting the elimination stage at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Tournament Kickoff and Demonstration

The event was inaugurated at an event in Piccadilly Circus on Wednesday evening. Senior figures from European football’s governing body and the host football associations were barracked as they arrived the site by about 50 activists, who urged Israel to be removed from international football because of the Gaza crisis.

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

Tournament Timeline

The inaugural fixture of Euro 2028 will be staged at the the national stadium of Wales in the Welsh capital, on June 9, 2028, a match that will include Wales if they secure a place.

The national stadium will host the two semi-final matches and the championship match, which will be held on Sunday 9 July with a commencement at 5:00 PM.

It is expected that an afternoon start, which will also be implemented for UEFA Champions League finals from the following campaign, will attract households and help connect with a more diverse set of viewers.

Participating Countries

The Irish team are scheduled to play their initial fixture at the Dublin stadium and the Scottish team would play similarly at Glasgow’s Hampden Park.

All four host countries’ teams will participate in the qualification process; two reserved places will be set aside for any that do not reach the finals through the qualification path.

Venues and Elimination Phase

The Birmingham venue and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium round out the event’s nine venues. All will hold at least one elimination game, with the quarterfinal matches staged at each country’s national stadium.

The qualifying draw will be staged in the Northern Irish capital, which was dropped as a tournament location last year when it emerged Casement Park could not be redeveloped in time, on a date in late 2026.

Tournament Vision

“It will be a championship for the followers and a festival of everything we value about the game – its passion and ability to foster unity.”

More than three million passes, a unprecedented number for a men’s European Championship, are expected to be released to supporters.