🔗 Share this article The Three Lions to Launch the European Championship 2028 Campaign at City’s Home Ground England’s men’s team will embark on their Euro 2028 campaign at the Etihad Stadium, provided that they secure the anticipated entry for a competition hosted across the majority of the UK and the Ireland. City’s stadium has not hosted an Three Lions match since May 2016, when Turkey were beaten 2-1 in a warm-up game, but is expected to welcome the national team for their inaugural game on a Saturday in June 2028. The English side are set to play their last two group stage games at Wembley Stadium, but, if they top the preliminary round, their round of 16 match would be held at the Newcastle stadium. Finishing second would mean commencing the elimination stage at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Tournament Opening and Rally The championship was launched at an gathering in a London landmark on the previous evening. Senior figures from European football’s governing body and the host football associations were barracked as they arrived the location by about 50 pro-Palestine demonstrators, who demanded the Israeli team to be removed from the sport because of the situation in Gaza. Banners were held up with slogans reading “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while demonstrators shouted: “Kick Israel out.” Championship Schedule The opening game of the European Championship will be staged at the Principality Stadium in the Welsh capital, on June 9, 2028, a match that will include the Dragons if they qualify. The national stadium will host the two semi-final matches and the title decider, which will be played on Sunday 9 July with a start time at 5pm. It is anticipated that an earlier start, which will also be adopted for European club finals from the upcoming season, will appeal to households and help connect with a broader range of audiences. Participating Countries The Republic of Ireland are set to play their opening match at the Aviva Stadium and the Tartan Army would play similarly at Hampden Park. All four host countries’ teams will take part in the qualifying tournament; two automatic spots will be reserved for any that miss out on the tournament through that route. Locations and Playoffs Villa Park and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium round out the nine tournament locations. All will hold at least one elimination game, with the last eight staged at the national stadium of each host. The qualifying draw will be conducted in the Northern Irish capital, which was excluded as a tournament location last year when it emerged the proposed venue could not be upgraded in time, on December 6, 2026. Leadership Comment “The event will be a championship for the supporters and a showcase of everything we value about the game – its fervor and ability to foster unity.” In excess of three million admissions, a all-time high for a men’s European Championship, are expected to be made available to fans.