Euro 2028 Announcement
In an exciting announcement for fans, England’s national soccer team is poised to begin their Euro 2028 campaign at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, contingent upon their direct qualification. This tournament, which includes co-hosts Republic of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, will see these nations play their group matches at home, enhancing local support.
Launch Event and Protests
The official launch of Euro 2028 took place on Wednesday in central London, where the match schedule was revealed. Outside the venue, a lively demonstration advocating for Palestine occurred, with protestors voicing their concerns over Israel’s membership in UEFA, somewhat overshadowing the event’s proceedings.
Match Schedule and Venues
Should England qualify directly, they are set to open the tournament at the Etihad Stadium before moving on to their concluding group matches at the iconic Wembley Stadium. If they top Group B, their next game will take place at St James’ Park in Newcastle before returning to Wembley for the remaining stages of the competition. England’s national stadium will also host a quarterfinal, both semifinals, and the final, which is scheduled for July 9 at 5 p.m. This beginning time is notably three hours earlier than the Euro 2020 final, which was marred by chaotic scenes involving ticketless fans attempting to breach stadium security.
If England does not finish first in their group, they are expected to play their last 16 match at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium and could face a follow-up match at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. Wales will kick off the tournament at this stadium on June 9, underscoring their role in this multi-nation event.
Venues and Ticketing
Nine venues across eight cities will host the matches, adding to the excitement for fans, while Premier League locations, such as Villa Park and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, have also been chosen. Each of the host nations will take responsibility for at least one quarterfinal match. If both England and Wales win their respective groups, a quarterfinal face-off at Wembley could become a thrilling reality.
Organizers plan to make three million tickets available for the tournament, setting a new record in terms of accessibility for a European Championship; however, ticket pricing details have yet to be released. All four host nations will enter the qualification phase, with contingency places available should any of them not finish as group winners or among the top eight second-place teams.
Role of Northern Ireland and Future Prospects
Northern Ireland will also play a notable role as Belfast is set to host the qualifying draw on December 6 next year. Although a redeveloped Casement Park was initially on track to be the tenth venue, it was dropped from the lineup due to funding issues with the UK Government, reshaping the initial five-nation bid plan.
Statements from Officials
Debbie Hewitt, Chairman of the Football Association and UK and Ireland 2028 Ltd, expressed pride at this significant milestone for football, emphasizing a collective effort with UEFA and governmental bodies to ensure the tournament celebrates the sport and connects communities.
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin conveyed that the host nations are enthusiastic about welcoming a large influx of fans to their historic stadiums, promising a spectacular celebration filled with thrilling emotions.
Collectively, the UK Government, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government, and the Government of Ireland are set to invest up to £740 million into security and organizational costs, supported by a £45 million social impact fund. An independent study anticipates that Euro 2028 will generate an impressive £3.6 billion in socio-economic benefits between 2028 and 2031.
