The European football governing body, UEFA, has officially announced the dates and host venues for the Euro 2028 Championship, setting the stage for what promises to be one of the most eagerly anticipated tournaments in recent memory. The competition will kick off on 9 June 2028 in Cardiff, while the prestigious final will take place at the historic Wembley Stadium on 9 July 2028. Matches will be held across eight cities in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, signalling a truly pan-British event. The announcement has been met with widespread excitement across the host nations.
Football fans across Europe are eagerly awaiting the Euro, often described as the continent’s equivalent of the World Cup. The tournament traditionally features Europe’s top national teams, and in the previous edition, Spain claimed the title by defeating England in a thrilling final.
This time, the tournament will see 24 nations competing for the coveted trophy, with a total of 51 matches scheduled. Key host cities include Birmingham, Dublin, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester, and Newcastle, alongside Cardiff and London. UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin provided the details during a press briefing in London, highlighting the significance of the tournament for both sport and the host nations.
The final will be held at Wembley Stadium on 2 July, an iconic venue renowned for its footballing history. Independent economic analyses predict that Euro 2028 will generate approximately £3.6 billion in social and economic benefits between 2028 and 2031, underscoring the tournament’s impact beyond the pitch.
Despite being hosts, England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland must still qualify, as only two automatic spots are allocated to host nations. The draw for the qualifying rounds will take place in Belfast on 6 December 2026. Notably, Wales and Ireland failed to qualify for the previous Euro in Germany, adding extra motivation for these teams.
The announcement was not without controversy, as some supporters staged protests against Israel, calling for the country to be banned from UEFA competitions due to alleged human rights violations in Palestine. Protesters waved Palestinian flags and voiced anti-Israel slogans during the UEFA event, highlighting the intersection of sport and politics.
Euro 2028 is expected to capture the imagination of millions of fans worldwide, offering a month-long celebration of football across the British Isles.