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The England national team will commence their 2028 European Championship adventure at the Etihad Stadium, on the condition that they attain the anticipated entry for a championship taking place in the bulk of Britain and the Republic of Ireland.

City’s stadium has not hosted an English men’s match since the spring of 2016, when the Turkish team were overcome 2-1 in a friendly, but is almost certain to host the Three Lions for their inaugural game on a Saturday in June 2028.

The team are scheduled to play their last two group stage games at Wembley, but, if they top Group B, their knockout stage opener would take place at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Finishing second would mean starting the knockouts at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Championship Kickoff and Demonstration

The tournament was unveiled at an ceremony in a London landmark on Wednesday evening. High-ranking officials from the tournament organizers and the host FAs were heckled as they entered the site by approximately 50 pro-Palestine demonstrators, who demanded the Israeli team to be expelled from the sport because of the Gaza crisis.

Signs were raised with phrases saying “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while demonstrators chanted: “Kick Israel out.”

Event Fixture List

The opening game of the European Championship will be held at the the national stadium of Wales in the Welsh capital, on a Friday in June 2028, a fixture that will feature the Welsh team if they qualify.

Wembley will host the penultimate rounds and the final, which will be played on July 9, 2028 with a kick-off time at late afternoon.

It is hoped that an earlier start, which will also be used for UEFA Champions League finals from next season, will cater to households and help connect with a more diverse set of fans.

Qualifying Teams

The Republic of Ireland are scheduled to play their initial fixture at the Aviva Stadium and Scotland would follow suit at Hampden Park.

Each host nation’s squad will take part in the qualifying tournament; two automatic spots will be held in reserve for any that miss out on Euro 2028 through that route.

Venues and Elimination Phase

Villa Park and The North London arena finalize the nine tournament locations. Every stadium will hold at least one elimination game, with the last eight played at each country’s national stadium.

The qualifying draw will be held in Belfast, which was excluded as a venue city last year when it was revealed the Belfast stadium could not be renovated in time, on December 6, 2026.

Official Statement

“It will be a tournament for the followers and a celebration of everything we love about the sport – its passion and power to foster unity.”

Over 3 million tickets, a record for a UEFA European Championship, are expected to be offered to supporters.