Euro 2028 hosts overhaul qualifying with five‑nation format

The United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland celebrated UEFA’s decision to award the 2028 European Championship to a five‑nation host group, with matches set across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the Republic from 9 June to 9 July 2028, the opening game at Cardiff’s National Stadium.

UEFA confirmed nine venues across the five host nations, with Wembley Stadium in London becoming the first stadium to host three European Championship finals and also slated to host both semi‑finals. Glasgow’s Hampden Park, Dublin Arena and the National Stadium of Wales are highlighted as headline locations.

Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Etihad Stadium, St James’ Park and Villa Park complete the final list, after Manchester United’s Old Trafford failed to meet UEFA’s standards.

Fans can expect around three million tickets on sale, marking one of the largest ticket allocations in Euro history and reflecting the tournament’s return to a densely populated region of Europe.

The competition will kick off on 9 June and run until 9 July 2028, with three standard kick‑off slots at 14:00, 17:00 and 20:00 BST. The final is scheduled for a 17:00 start, and the full match calendar will be released after the final tournament draw in 2027.

Euro 2028 will retain the 24‑team format introduced at Euro 2024, featuring six groups of four. The top two teams from each group and the four best third‑placed sides will advance to a round of 16, followed by straight knockout rounds.

UEFA introduced a new qualifying structure with 12 groups of four or five nations playing home‑and‑away matches from March to November 2027. Group winners qualify automatically, while runners‑up either secure direct spots or enter play‑offs against Nations League opponents in March 2028; the qualifying draw will be held in Belfast on 6 December 2026.

Spain enter Euro 2028 as the defending champions, having won Euro 2024 in Germany and the recent World Cup. Coach Luis de la Fuente, who guided La Furia Roja to both titles, boasts an unbeaten record at major tournaments and remains the only nation to successfully defend the European Championship, a feat previously achieved in 2012.

UEFA has already earmarked Italy and Turkey as joint hosts for Euro 2032, despite criticism over stadium upgrades in Italy, while the host for Euro 2036 remains undecided with bids from Poland, France and joint Nordic‑Baltic proposals.

The juxtaposition of a historic multi‑nation hosting arrangement with fresh qualifying rules underscores UEFA’s drive to modernise Europe’s premier international tournament while honoring its traditional roots.