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The England national team will commence their UEFA Euro 2028 campaign at the Manchester City’s stadium, on the condition that they attain the expected passage for a tournament hosted across the bulk of Britain and the Irish Republic.

Manchester City’s home ground has not hosted an England men’s match since the spring of 2016, when the Turkish team were beaten 2-1 in a warm-up game, but is almost certain to welcome the Three Lions for their opening fixture on June 10, 2028.

The English side are set to play their final two group matches at Wembley Stadium, but, should they win their group, their round of 16 match would occur at St James’ Park. Finishing second would mean commencing the playoffs at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Championship Opening and Protest

The championship was inaugurated at an event in Piccadilly Circus on Wednesday night. High-ranking officials from European football’s governing body and the host FAs were barracked as they entered the location by about 50 protesters, who demanded the Israeli team to be kicked out from international football because of the Gaza crisis.

Banners were displayed with phrases stating “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while demonstrators chanted: “Kick Israel out.”

Tournament Fixture List

The first match of Euro 2028 will be staged at the Principality Stadium in the Welsh capital, on Friday 9 June, a game that will feature Wales if they qualify.

Wembley will host the penultimate rounds and the championship match, which will be held on a Sunday in July 2028 with a commencement at late afternoon.

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

Participating Countries

The Irish team are scheduled to play their initial fixture at the Aviva Stadium and Scotland would play similarly at Glasgow’s Hampden Park.

All four host countries’ teams will enter the qualifying tournament; two automatic spots will be reserved for any that fail to qualify for Euro 2028 through the standard process.

Locations and Knockout Stage

Villa Park and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium round out the event’s nine venues. Every stadium will hold at least one knockout match, with the last eight held at the national stadium of each host.

The qualification draw will be held in the Northern Irish capital, which was dropped as a venue city last year when it emerged the Belfast stadium could not be renovated in time, on December 6, 2026.

Leadership Comment

“It will be a tournament for the followers and a celebration of everything we cherish about the game – its emotion and power to foster unity.”

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