🔗 Share this article The Three Lions to Launch Euro 2028 Campaign at City’s Home Ground The English squad will commence their 2028 European Championship journey at the the home of Manchester City, provided that they attain the expected entry for a championship taking place in the majority of the UK and the Irish Republic. The Etihad Stadium has not welcomed an England men’s match since the spring of 2016, when Turkey were defeated 2-1 in a warm-up game, but is highly likely to stage the England side for their opening fixture on June 10, 2028. The team are set to play their final two group matches at Wembley, but, if they top the preliminary round, their last-16 tie would be held at St James’ Park. Finishing second would mean beginning the knockouts at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Championship Opening and Protest The championship was launched at an ceremony in a London landmark on Wednesday night. Senior figures from the tournament organizers and the organizing bodies were barracked as they arrived the site by approximately 50 pro-Palestine demonstrators, who demanded Israel’s national side to be expelled from global football because of the situation in Gaza. Signs were displayed with slogans stating “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while demonstrators called out: “Kick Israel out.” Tournament Timeline The first match of Euro 2028 will be staged at the the national stadium of Wales in the Welsh capital, on a Friday in June 2028, a game that will involve the Welsh team if they secure a place. Wembley will host the penultimate rounds and the championship match, which will be held on Sunday 9 July with a commencement at 5pm. It is expected that an earlier start, which will also be adopted for European club finals from the upcoming season, will cater to family audiences and help reach a wider spectrum of viewers. Participating Countries The Republic of Ireland are due to play their first game at the Aviva Stadium and the Scottish team would play similarly at Glasgow’s Hampden Park. Each host nation’s squad will enter the qualification process; two guaranteed slots will be held in reserve for any that fail to qualify for the finals through the standard process. Venues and Knockout Stage Aston Villa’s stadium and Spurs’ ground finalize the nine tournament locations. All will hold at least one knockout match, with the last eight played at the national stadium of each host. The draw for the qualifiers will be held in the Northern Irish capital, which was dropped as a host city last year when it emerged the proposed venue could not be renovated in time, on a date in late 2026. Official Statement “It will be a competition for the followers and a celebration of everything we cherish about the football – its passion and power to foster unity.” More than three million tickets, a all-time high for a Euro tournament, are projected to be offered to fans.