🔗 Share this article The Three Lions to Start UEFA Euro 2028 Campaign at City’s Home Ground England’s men’s team will commence their UEFA Euro 2028 campaign at the the home of Manchester City, on the condition that they secure the relatively straightforward entry for a competition staged throughout the majority of the UK and the Republic of Ireland. City’s stadium has not welcomed an Three Lions game since eight years ago, when Turkey were beaten 2-1 in a warm-up game, but is expected to host the national team for their inaugural game on Saturday 10 June 2028. The team are set to play their last two group stage games at Wembley Stadium, but, should they win Group B, their last-16 tie would take place at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Placing second would mean commencing the elimination stage at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Tournament Opening and Rally The event was launched at an ceremony in a London landmark on Wednesday evening. Key representatives from Uefa and the organizing bodies were confronted as they entered the venue by about 50 protesters, who urged Israel’s national side to be expelled from international football because of the conflict in Gaza. Signs were displayed with messages stating “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while protesters shouted: “Kick Israel out.” Event Timeline The inaugural fixture of the European Championship will be played at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, on a Friday in June 2028, a game that will feature the Dragons if they qualify. Wembley Stadium will host the two semi-final matches and the title decider, which will be held on Sunday 9 July with a kick-off time at 5pm. It is hoped that an earlier start, which will also be implemented for Champions League finals from the upcoming season, will attract family audiences and help engage a wider spectrum of audiences. Host Nations The Ireland are due to play their first game at the Aviva Stadium and the Tartan Army would follow suit at Glasgow’s Hampden Park. All four host countries’ teams will take part in the qualification process; two reserved places will be reserved for any that fail to qualify for Euro 2028 through the qualification path. Locations and Elimination Phase Villa Park and The North London arena round out the nine host stadiums. Every stadium will hold at least one knockout match, with the quarter-finals staged at the national stadium of each host. The qualifying draw will be held in the Northern Irish capital, which was removed as a tournament location last year when it became clear Casement Park could not be upgraded in time, on 6 December 2026. Official Statement “It will be a championship for the supporters and a festival of everything we value about the football – its passion and power to bring people together.” More than three million tickets, a unprecedented number for a Euro tournament, are anticipated to be released to attendees.