ð Share this article The Three Lions to Start Euro 2028 Quest at the Etihad Stadium The England national team will commence their UEFA Euro 2028 campaign at the the home of Manchester City, on the condition that they achieve the expected qualification for a tournament staged throughout the bulk of Britain and the Irish Republic. Manchester Cityâs home ground has not welcomed an English menâs fixture since May 2016, when Turkey were defeated 2-1 in a exhibition match, but is almost certain to welcome the England side for their opening fixture on a Saturday in June 2028. The team are set to play their concluding group fixtures at the national stadium, but, if they top Group B, their knockout stage opener would take place at Newcastleâs St Jamesâ Park. Finishing second would mean beginning the knockouts at Evertonâs Hill Dickinson Stadium. Championship Kickoff and Demonstration The tournament was launched at an ceremony in a London landmark on Wednesday evening. Key representatives from the tournament organizers and the host FAs were confronted as they approached the site by approximately 50 pro-Palestine demonstrators, who demanded Israel to be removed from global football because of the conflict in Gaza. Placards were displayed with messages saying âShow Israel the red cardâ and âYou are complicitâ, while protesters shouted: âKick Israel out.â Event Fixture List The opening game of the tournament will be played at the Cardiffâs stadium in Cardiff, on a Friday in June 2028, a game that will include Wales if they make it. Wembley will host the two semi-final matches and the championship match, which will be played on July 9, 2028 with a start time at 5pm. It is anticipated that an afternoon start, which will also be used for UEFA Champions League finals from next season, will cater to family audiences and help connect with a more diverse set of audiences. Participating Countries The Irish team are due to play their first game at the Dublin Arena and the Tartan Army would follow suit at Hampden Park. The national sides of all four hosts will enter the qualifying tournament; two guaranteed slots will be held in reserve for any that miss out on Euro 2028 through that route. Locations and Elimination Phase The Birmingham venue and The North London arena round out the nine tournament locations. Every stadium will hold at least one playoff fixture, with the quarter-finals held at the national stadium of each host. The qualification draw will be staged in the Northern Irish capital, which was dropped as a host city last year when it became clear the Belfast stadium could not be renovated in time, on 6 December 2026. Official Statement âThe event will be a tournament for the supporters and a celebration of everything we love about the sport â its passion and ability to unite individuals.â More than three million tickets, a record for a UEFA European Championship, are expected to be released to attendees.