Excitement Builds as England Prepares for Euro 2028 – Venue and Schedule Announced
The countdown to Euro 2028 has officially begun with the release of the tournament schedule. England, if they qualify, will play their first game away from Wembley at the Etihad Stadium. The opening match will be held in Cardiff, with fixtures planned across the UK & Ireland.

The schedule for Euro 2028 has been released, with England - if they qualify - set to take in their first game of that tournament away from Wembley at the Etihad Stadium. The home of Manchester City will play host to the Three Lions after a competition opener that heads to Wales and the Principality Stadium - with the countdown on to an event that will also see fixtures take place in Scotland and Ireland.The Three Lions have made light work of recent qualification campaigns - last failing to reach a major international tournament in 2008 under Steve McClaren. They are now aware of what their path will be when chasing down continental glory in 2028.England will be looking to reach a third consecutive Euros final there - having suffered heartache against Italy and Spain in the last two competitions. Their bid for the ultimate prize will be opened in Manchester - as the Etihad stages an England men’s game for the first time since May 2016, when the Three Lions were beaten 2-1 by Turkey in a friendly.Said contest will take place on Saturday June 10, 2028. From there, England will return to Wembley Stadium for their two remaining fixtures in the group stage. If they were to top Group B then they will head to St James’ Park in Newcastle for a last-16 match, or Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium if they finish second in their pot.Wales have been made aware that, if they are able to qualify, Cardiff will have the honour of hosting the opening game on Friday June, 9. The Republic of Ireland have games heading to Dublin, while Hampden Park will welcome fixtures to Scotland. Both semi-finals and the final will take place at Wembley in north London. Two automatic qualification spots will be held back for host nations that do not reach the finals through the normal routes.Villa Park and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium complete the list of nine host venues - with each of those set to figure in at least one knockout match. The quarter-finals will be split across the national stadiums of the four host nations. The qualifying draw will be held in Belfast, with Northern Ireland missing out on games after it was revealed that Casement Park could not be redeveloped in time.Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!The final - on Sunday July, 9 - will kick-off at 5pm. That is three hours earlier than the last Euros showpiece to take place at Wembley in 2021 - with that clash between England and Italy being marred by fan unrest as supporters broke through barriers and forced entry.The Football Association’s chair, Debbie Hewitt, has said of moving that game forward - in line with changes to Champions League final kick-off times: “It's easier to get there - we all know what happens to public transport late on a Sunday night.“Also we hope that the fans will want to celebrate after the game and so it allows that to happen. And of course, you have safety and security too. So all of those factors come together and it's a common sense decision.”She added on working with UEFA to ensure that ticket prices will be as fair as possible: “It will be a tournament for the fans and a festival of everything we love about the game – its passion and ability to bring people together.“We're not a fan of dynamic ticketing pricing and I think UEFA have heard that loud and clear. There's been no pushback from UEFA. They're great partners. They understand, and have at their core, too, that we want to make this the most accessible Euros. So we're giving a lot of thought to ticket pricing, how we make sure that the accessibility metrics are delivered on.”The qualifying draw for Euro 2028 will be held on December 6, 2026. The group stage will then run from March 2027 until November 2027, with the play-offs being held in March 2028. Ultimately, 24 teams will take part in the tournament.
Euro 2028 Venue and Schedule Revealed
The highly-anticipated schedule for Euro 2028 has been unveiled, setting the stage for an exciting tournament featuring top football talent from across Europe. England will kick off their campaign at the Etihad Stadium, marking a departure from their usual Wembley base. The tournament opener will take place in Cardiff, Wales, at the Principality Stadium, with games also scheduled in Scotland and Ireland.
England's Path to Glory
England, known for their recent dominance in qualifying campaigns, will be aiming to secure their path to the Euro 2028 finals. Looking to reach their third consecutive Euros final, the Three Lions will begin their journey in Manchester at the Etihad Stadium. Subsequent fixtures will see them return to Wembley Stadium for the group stage matches, with potential knockout games at venues like St James’ Park and Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Host Nations and Venues
Wales will have the honor of hosting the opening game in Cardiff, while Ireland and Scotland will also welcome fixtures in Dublin and Hampden Park, respectively. The semi-finals and final will be held at Wembley Stadium in London, emphasizing the tournament's pan-European spirit. Nine host venues, including Villa Park and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, will feature in various knockout matches, with quarter-finals spread across national stadiums.
Fan Experience and Ticketing
Efforts are being made to enhance the fan experience during Euro 2028, with changes like an earlier final kick-off time at 5pm to accommodate fans' celebrations and ensure safety and security. The Football Association is working closely with UEFA to ensure fair ticket pricing, making the tournament accessible to all football enthusiasts. The focus is on creating a memorable and inclusive festival of football.
Qualifying Process and Timeline
The qualifying draw for Euro 2028 is scheduled for December 6, 2026, kicking off a series of events leading up to the tournament. The group stage will run from March to November 2027, with play-offs in March 2028. A total of 24 teams will compete in the Euro 2028 finals, promising an exciting and competitive football spectacle.

