🔗 Share this article The Three Lions to Launch the European Championship 2028 Campaign at the Etihad Stadium The English squad will embark on their Euro 2028 adventure at the Etihad Stadium, assuming they achieve the relatively straightforward passage for a championship taking place in most of the United Kingdom and the Ireland. The Etihad Stadium has not staged an England men’s fixture since eight years ago, when the Turkish team were defeated 2-1 in a friendly, but is almost certain to welcome the England side for their first match on June 10, 2028. The English side are scheduled to play their last two group stage games at the national stadium, but, should they win their group, their knockout stage opener would occur at the Newcastle stadium. Finishing second would mean beginning the knockouts at Everton’s ground. Championship Opening and Protest The event was inaugurated at an event in central London on Wednesday evening. Senior figures from European football’s governing body and the organizing bodies were barracked as they approached the location by around fifty protesters, who demanded the Israeli team to be expelled from international football because of the Gaza crisis. Signs were displayed with phrases reading “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while demonstrators chanted: “Kick Israel out.” Event Timeline The inaugural fixture of the tournament will be played at the Cardiff’s stadium in Cardiff, on a Friday in June 2028, a fixture that will involve the Welsh team if they qualify. Wembley will host the penultimate rounds and the title decider, which will be held on a Sunday in July 2028 with a commencement at 5:00 PM. It is hoped that an earlier start, which will also be implemented for UEFA Champions League finals from the upcoming season, will cater to family audiences and help reach a broader range of fans. Qualifying Teams The Ireland are scheduled to play their first game at the Aviva Stadium and the Tartan Army would play similarly at the national stadium of Scotland. All four host countries’ teams will enter the preliminary stage; two automatic spots will be set aside for any that miss out on the tournament through the qualification path. Locations and Elimination Phase Aston Villa’s stadium and Spurs’ ground finalize the nine tournament locations. Every stadium will hold at least one playoff fixture, with the last eight played at each country’s national stadium. The qualification draw will be conducted in Belfast, which was dropped as a venue city last year when it became clear the proposed venue could not be renovated in time, on a date in late 2026. Tournament Vision “It will be a championship for the followers and a celebration of everything we value about the game – its emotion and power to unite individuals.” In excess of three million tickets, a record for a UEFA European Championship, are expected to be released to attendees.