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The English squad will embark on their 2028 European Championship journey at the the home of Manchester City, assuming they achieve the expected passage for a tournament hosted across the bulk of Britain and the Republic of Ireland.

Manchester City’s home ground has not welcomed an Three Lions match since the spring of 2016, when the visitors were beaten 2-1 in a friendly, but is highly likely to stage the England side for their first match on a Saturday in June 2028.

The team are planned to play their last two group stage games at Wembley Stadium, but, in the event of winning their group, their last-16 tie would take place at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Securing the runner-up spot would mean beginning the elimination stage at Everton’s ground.

Competition Opening and Rally

The tournament was inaugurated at an ceremony in a London landmark on the previous evening. Senior figures from the tournament organizers and the host football associations were confronted as they approached the venue by approximately 50 pro-Palestine demonstrators, who urged the Israeli team to be kicked out from global football because of the conflict in Gaza.

Banners were held up with phrases saying “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while activists called out: “Kick Israel out.”

Championship Schedule

The inaugural fixture of the tournament will be held at the Principality Stadium in the Welsh capital, on a Friday in June 2028, a game that will involve the Dragons if they make it.

Wembley Stadium will host the two semi-final matches and the championship match, which will be staged on July 9, 2028 with a start time at 5pm.

It is hoped that an earlier start, which will also be adopted for European club finals from the following campaign, will attract family audiences and help engage a more diverse set of fans.

Host Nations

The Irish team are set to play their opening match at the Dublin Arena and the Scottish team would follow suit at Glasgow’s Hampden Park.

Each host nation’s squad will participate in the qualification process; two automatic spots will be set aside for any that do not reach the tournament through the standard process.

Locations and Elimination Phase

Villa Park and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium complete the nine tournament locations. Every stadium will hold at least one playoff fixture, with the quarter-finals held at every host’s main arena.

The draw for the qualifiers will be held in the Northern Irish capital, which was dropped as a tournament location last year when it was revealed Casement Park could not be renovated in time, on a date in late 2026.

Official Statement

“This will be a competition for the followers and a festival of everything we love about the football – its fervor and capacity to foster unity.”

Over 3 million passes, a record for a men’s European Championship, are projected to be offered to supporters.