UEFA has officially confirmed that Euro 2028 will kick off in Cardiff and conclude with the final at Wembley Stadium in London, marking the biggest football event hosted by the UK and Ireland in over a decade.
The opening match will take place at the National Stadium of Wales on June 9, while Wembley will stage both semifinals and the final on July 9. The tournament, featuring 24 national teams, will span 51 matches across nine venues in eight cities — Cardiff, London, Birmingham, Dublin, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester, and Newcastle.
UEFA has introduced a new fan-centric format and branding, with match kick-offs scheduled for 2 p.m., 5 p.m., and 8 p.m. GMT to enhance convenience and viewership. Over three million tickets are expected to be made available, making it one of the most accessible Euros ever.
Wembley will also host a quarterfinal, while Cardiff, Dublin, and Glasgow will stage the others. Each host nation will play its group-stage matches on home soil if qualified, while all will participate in qualifiers for the event — with two automatic host slots reserved for the best-performing sides that fail to qualify.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said the tournament will “embody unity and passion” across borders, adding that “at UEFA EURO 2028, we will all speak football — loud, clear, and united.” Economic forecasts suggest the tournament could deliver a £3.6 billion (€4.8 billion) boost across the UK and Ireland, supported by £740 million (€993 million) in government investment to ensure top-tier safety, infrastructure, and fan experience.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed the event as “a historic opportunity to showcase the best of British and Irish footballing culture,” while FA CEO Mark Bullingham said Euro 2028 would be “a tournament for the fans, leaving a lasting legacy across communities.”
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