The 2028 UEFA European Championship will officially begin on 9 June in Cardiff and conclude with the grand final on 9 July at London’s iconic Wembley Stadium. UEFA made the announcement on Wednesday during the tournament’s official launch ceremony in London.
This 24-nation tournament will be staged across nine venues in eight cities, spanning England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. A total of 51 matches will be played. Wembley will host not only the final but also one semi-final and one quarter-final. The remaining quarter-finals will take place in Dublin, Glasgow, and Cardiff, while Round of 16 matches will be spread across all other host venues except Wembley.
| Stage | Venue |
|---|---|
| Opening Match | Cardiff – Principality Stadium |
| Quarter-finals | Dublin, Glasgow, Cardiff, Wembley |
| Semi-finals | Wembley Stadium |
| Final | Wembley Stadium, London |
Unlike previous editions, the host nations will not receive automatic qualification for Euro 2028. Each will have to earn their place through the qualifiers. UEFA confirmed that all four host nations — England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland — will be placed in separate qualifying groups. If one or more fail to qualify directly, the two highest-ranked non-qualified hosts will be granted a place in the final tournament.
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin stated,
“Euro 2028 will speak in one strong and united language — the language of football. The host nations, where the game was born, are ready to welcome millions of passionate fans to historic stadiums. Our goal is to deliver an unforgettable experience with innovation in scheduling and fan engagement.”
According to an independent assessment, the tournament could generate up to £3.6 billion in social and economic impact across the UK and Ireland between 2028 and 2031, through job creation, regional growth, and tourism spending.
The UK, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland governments have pledged up to £740 million in joint funding to ensure a “safe, secure, and world-class experience” for fans and participants.
If England qualify, they are expected to play their opening match at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium. In total, five stadiums across England will host Euro 2028 fixtures. The qualifying draw will take place in Belfast on 6 December 2026.
Euro 2028 promises not only to bring top-tier football back to British soil but also to rekindle the spirit of the game — right where it all began.
