UK and Ireland Announce Venues for Euro 2028 Tournament

Published: 13 November 2025 | The English Chronicle Desk | The English Chronicle Online

Cardiff has been confirmed as the host city for the opening match of Euro 2028, while London’s Wembley Stadium will stage the semi-finals and final of the tournament. The 24-team competition will be held across nine venues in four nations: England, Scotland, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland had initially been included as a host, but Belfast’s Casement Park was removed from consideration due to funding issues.

The tournament’s official launch in London on Wednesday saw UEFA confirm Cardiff’s role in hosting the first game. Noel Mooney, chief executive of the Football Association of Wales, described it as a historic occasion for Welsh football and culture, allowing fans, often called ‘The Red Wall’, to experience a major international tournament at home for the first time.

Unlike previous editions, host nations will still need to qualify for Euro 2028. However, if they qualify directly, they are guaranteed to play their group-stage matches on home soil. Each host nation will compete in separate qualifying groups, with two additional places reserved for the highest-ranked sides that fail to qualify directly.

Quarter-final matches will take place at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, Glasgow’s Hampden Park, and Wembley Stadium. England’s opening group-stage match, if they qualify, will be held at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium, before moving to Wembley for later rounds. Other venues in England include Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Villa Park, Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium, and Newcastle’s St James’ Park, which will host matches across the tournament’s 51 fixtures.

The last-16 stage will be hosted at all stadiums except Wembley, meaning England could play at St James’ Park or Hill Dickinson Stadium depending on group-stage results. The qualifying draw for the tournament is scheduled to take place in Belfast on 6 December 2026.

Debbie Hewitt, chair of UK & Ireland 2028 Limited, promised the “best ever” European Championship, highlighting the tournament as a celebration of football and its ability to bring people together. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin added that the host nations would welcome millions of fans into iconic stadiums for a “festival of emotions.”

Outside the launch event, a small pro-Palestine protest took place, with demonstrators opposing Israel’s membership of UEFA.

The UK government is investing £557 million in hosting Euro 2028, expecting a return of £3.2 billion through job creation, regional growth, and international tourism. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called it the largest sporting event ever jointly hosted by the UK and Ireland, emphasising its economic impact and potential to inspire the next generation of footballers.

With stadiums averaging nearly 60,000 seats, UEFA predicts record attendance across all matches. Mark Bullingham, chief executive of the Football Association, said the tournament would have a positive effect on communities across the UK. David Courell of the Football Association of Ireland added that fans, as well as visiting supporters, would be guaranteed an unforgettable experience. Ian Maxwell, head of the Scottish Football Association, said co-hosting Euro 2028 would inspire a new generation and leave a lasting legacy in Scotland.

For Scotland, Euro 2028 represents a second chance to participate in a major European Championship on home soil. The first opportunity came during the pandemic-delayed Euro 2020, when limited crowds and disappointing results undermined the experience. With six matches scheduled at Hampden Park, qualification and strong performances would allow Scotland to fully engage with the tournament and energise fans.

The two reserved host-nation spots provide a safety net, ensuring that Wales, Scotland, England, and the Republic of Ireland can compete even if they fail to qualify directly, offering a historic platform for football fans across the UK and Ireland.