# Euro 2028: UK and Ireland to Host — Stadiums, Cities, and What to Expect > The UK and Ireland will host the 2028 European Championship across 10 stadiums in five nations — here's where the matches will be played and what it means for British football. *Section: Sports — By Tom Bennett (Sports Writer) — Published June 16, 2026 — 8 min read* Canonical URL: https://dailyjunction.org/sports/euro-2028-uk-ireland-host Tags: Euro 2028, UEFA, European Championship, UK, Ireland, Wembley, football, tournament hosting ## Key takeaways - Euro 2028 will be held across 10 stadiums in the UK and Ireland: six in England, two in Scotland, one in Wales, and one in Northern Ireland - Wembley will host the semi-finals and final, with a capacity of 90,000 making it the tournament's centrepiece - The tournament will feature 24 teams playing 51 matches over four weeks in June and July 2028 - The UK and Ireland won the hosting rights unopposed after Turkey withdrew its bid to focus on Euro 2032 with Italy - The tournament is expected to generate £2.6 billion for the UK economy and attract 2.7 million visitors In October 2023, UEFA confirmed that the **United Kingdom and Ireland** will host the 2028 European Championship, the first time the tournament will be held across five nations. It will be England's first major tournament since Euro 2020 (held in 2021 due to COVID-19), and the first time Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland have hosted a European Championship. The tournament will feature 24 teams playing 51 matches across 10 stadiums, with Wembley hosting the semi-finals and final. Here is everything you need to know about Euro 2028: the stadiums, the cities, the economic impact, and what it means for British and Irish football. ## The Bid and the Decision The UK and Ireland submitted a joint bid in 2022, initially competing against Turkey and Italy (who later withdrew to focus on a joint bid for Euro 2032). The five football associations — the **Football Association (England)**, the **Scottish FA**, the **Football Association of Wales**, the **Irish FA (Northern Ireland)**, and the **Football Association of Ireland (Republic of Ireland)** — worked together on the bid, supported by the UK and Irish governments. In October 2023, UEFA's Executive Committee confirmed the UK and Ireland as hosts, after Turkey withdrew its bid to focus on Euro 2032 (which Turkey will co-host with Italy). The UK and Ireland bid was unopposed, making the decision a formality. The bid emphasised the UK and Ireland's **world-class stadiums**, strong transport links, and experience hosting major tournaments (including the 2012 Olympics, the 2015 Rugby World Cup, and Euro 2020, which saw Wembley host the semi-finals and final). ## The 10 Host Stadiums Euro 2028 will be held across **10 stadiums** in nine cities: ### England (6 stadiums) 1. **Wembley Stadium, London** (capacity: 90,000) — The tournament's centrepiece, hosting the semi-finals and final, plus several group matches. Wembley is the largest stadium in the UK and one of the most iconic venues in world football. 2. **Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London** (capacity: 62,850) — A state-of-the-art stadium opened in 2019, with excellent transport links and a retractable pitch that also hosts NFL games. 3. **Etihad Stadium, Manchester** (capacity: 53,400) — Home of Manchester City, one of the most successful clubs in Europe. Manchester has a strong football culture and excellent transport infrastructure. 4. **Everton Stadium, Liverpool** (capacity: 52,888) — Everton's new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, due to open in 2025. It will replace Goodison Park and provide a modern, waterfront venue for Euro 2028. 5. **St James' Park, Newcastle** (capacity: 52,305) — Home of Newcastle United, located in the heart of the city with a passionate fanbase and strong transport links. 6. **Villa Park, Birmingham** (capacity: 42,640 after expansion) — Home of Aston Villa, one of England's oldest clubs. Villa Park will be expanded to meet UEFA's capacity requirements. ### Scotland (2 stadiums) 7. **Hampden Park, Glasgow** (capacity: 51,866) — Scotland's national stadium and home of Queen's Park FC. Hampden has hosted major finals including the 2002 UEFA Champions League final. 8. **Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow** (capacity: 50,817) — Home of Rangers FC, one of Scotland's two biggest clubs. Ibrox is an iconic venue with a passionate atmosphere. Glasgow is the only city to host matches at two stadiums, reflecting its importance to Scottish football. ### Wales (1 stadium) 9. **Principality Stadium, Cardiff** (capacity: 73,952) — Wales's national stadium, primarily used for rugby but also hosting football matches. It has a retractable roof, making it an all-weather venue. ### Northern Ireland (1 stadium) 10. **Casement Park, Belfast** (capacity: 34,500 after redevelopment) — A Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) stadium that will be redeveloped to host Euro 2028 matches. The redevelopment has been controversial and delayed, but the UK government has committed funding to ensure it is ready. ### Republic of Ireland (1 stadium) 11. **Aviva Stadium, Dublin** (capacity: 51,700) — Ireland's national stadium, opened in 2010 and home to both the Republic of Ireland football team and the Irish rugby team. It is a modern, UEFA-compliant venue. ## The Tournament Format Euro 2028 will follow the same format as Euro 2020 and Euro 2024: - **24 teams** divided into six groups of four. - Each team plays **three group matches**. - The **top two** from each group, plus the **four best third-placed teams**, advance to the knockout stage (last 16). - The knockout stage is single-elimination: last 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final. The tournament will run for **four weeks** in June and July 2028, with matches scheduled to avoid clashes with the Premier League, which will finish in May. ## Automatic Qualification for Hosts As hosts, all five football associations — **England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland** — will **automatically qualify** for Euro 2028. This is the first time all five have qualified for the same European Championship. Automatic qualification is a significant advantage, particularly for Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland, who have historically struggled to qualify for major tournaments. It guarantees them a place at the finals and the opportunity to play in front of home crowds. For England, automatic qualification is less significant, as they have qualified for every European Championship since 1996. But it does give Gareth Southgate's successor (Southgate's contract runs until 2024) two years to prepare without the pressure of a qualifying campaign. ## Economic Impact The UK and Irish governments estimate that Euro 2028 will generate **£2.6 billion** for the UK economy and attract **2.7 million visitors** (including 700,000 from overseas). The tournament will create thousands of jobs in hospitality, transport, and event management, and will provide a boost to tourism in the host cities. The economic impact will be spread across the UK and Ireland, with London, Manchester, Glasgow, and Dublin expected to benefit the most. Smaller cities like Newcastle and Cardiff will also see significant investment in infrastructure and tourism. The tournament will also provide a legacy for grassroots football, with UEFA and the host associations committing to invest in community facilities, coaching, and youth development. ## Challenges and Controversies ### Casement Park redevelopment The redevelopment of Casement Park in Belfast has been the most controversial aspect of the bid. The stadium is owned by the GAA and is primarily used for Gaelic games, not football. The redevelopment has faced delays due to planning disputes, funding issues, and opposition from local residents. In 2024, the UK government committed **£62.5 million** to the project, on top of funding from the Northern Ireland Executive and the GAA. The stadium is now expected to be completed by 2027, in time for Euro 2028. If it is not ready, UEFA has contingency plans to move matches to other venues. ### Transport and infrastructure Hosting a tournament across 10 stadiums in five nations will require significant investment in transport and infrastructure. The UK and Irish governments have committed to improving rail links, expanding airport capacity, and upgrading roads to ensure fans can travel between cities easily. However, there are concerns about whether the transport network can cope with the influx of visitors, particularly in smaller cities like Newcastle and Cardiff. ### Ticket allocation and pricing UEFA has not yet announced ticket prices or allocation, but there are concerns that tickets will be expensive and difficult to obtain, particularly for the final at Wembley. UEFA typically allocates a large proportion of tickets to sponsors, corporate partners, and national associations, leaving fewer tickets for ordinary fans. The UK and Irish governments have called on UEFA to ensure that tickets are affordable and accessible to local fans, but UEFA's track record on this issue is mixed. ## What It Means for British and Irish Football Euro 2028 is a major opportunity for British and Irish football. It will: - **Showcase the UK and Ireland** as world-class hosts, with modern stadiums and strong infrastructure. - **Boost grassroots football** through UEFA's legacy programmes and government investment. - **Inspire a new generation** of players and fans, as major tournaments always do. - **Strengthen the five football associations**, who have worked together on the bid and will continue to collaborate on tournament delivery. For England, the tournament is a chance to win a major trophy on home soil, 62 years after the 1966 World Cup. For Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland, it is a rare opportunity to compete at a major tournament in front of home crowds. ## The Road to Euro 2028 The qualifying campaign for Euro 2028 will begin in 2026, with 19 places available (24 teams minus the five hosts). The draw for the qualifying groups will take place in late 2025 or early 2026. Tickets for Euro 2028 are expected to go on sale in late 2026 or early 2027, with prices and allocation to be announced by UEFA. Fans are advised to register with UEFA's ticketing portal to receive updates. ## The Bottom Line Euro 2028 will be held across 10 stadiums in the UK and Ireland, with Wembley hosting the semi-finals and final. The tournament will feature 24 teams playing 51 matches over four weeks in June and July 2028, with all five host nations (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland) automatically qualifying. The UK and Ireland won the hosting rights unopposed after Turkey withdrew, and the tournament is expected to generate £2.6 billion for the UK economy and attract 2.7 million visitors. The 10 stadiums include six in England (Wembley, Tottenham, Etihad, Everton, St James' Park, Villa Park), two in Scotland (Hampden, Ibrox), one in Wales (Principality Stadium), one in Northern Ireland (Casement Park), and one in the Republic of Ireland (Aviva Stadium). Challenges include the Casement Park redevelopment, transport infrastructure, and ticket allocation, but the tournament is a major opportunity for British and Irish football to showcase world-class stadiums, inspire a new generation, and deliver a lasting legacy for grassroots football. ## Frequently asked questions ### Will the UK and Ireland automatically qualify for Euro 2028? Yes. As hosts, all five football associations (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland) will automatically qualify for the tournament. This is the first time all five have qualified for the same European Championship. ### Which stadiums will host matches? England: Wembley, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Etihad Stadium (Manchester), Everton Stadium (Liverpool), St James' Park (Newcastle), Villa Park (Birmingham). Scotland: Hampden Park (Glasgow), Ibrox (Glasgow). Wales: Principality Stadium (Cardiff). Northern Ireland: Casement Park (Belfast). Republic of Ireland: Aviva Stadium (Dublin). ### When will tickets go on sale? UEFA typically releases tickets 12–18 months before the tournament, so expect ticket sales to open in late 2026 or early 2027. Prices will vary by match and stadium, with final and semi-final tickets likely to be the most expensive. ## Sources - [UEFA — Euro 2028 official announcement](https://www.uefa.com/) - [UK Government — Euro 2028 hosting](https://www.gov.uk/) - [The Guardian — Euro 2028 stadiums](https://www.theguardian.com/football/) - [BBC Sport — Euro 2028 economic impact](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football) --- Daily Junction — https://dailyjunction.org/sports/euro-2028-uk-ireland-host