Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium to host five matches during UEFA EURO 2028 | OneFootball

The Etihad Stadium will be welcoming competitive international football on one of the highest stages in 2028, Manchester City and governing bodies have confirmed.

The home of Manchester City will be one of nine venues across the UK and Ireland to host matches during the UEFA EURO 2028 tournament, marking another major milestone for both the football club and the city of Manchester – a city long recognised as a powerhouse of sport and culture.

Following its inclusion in the final list of host venues, the Etihad Stadium will join the likes of Wembley Stadium, Hampden Park, and the Dublin Arena in staging matches for Europe’s biggest international competition.

The tournament itself is set to begin at the National Stadium of Wales in Cardiff on Friday 9 June 2028, before concluding a month later with the Final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 9 July 2028.

Now, as confirmed in a statement by Manchester City, the Etihad Stadium will host five matches during the upcoming UEFA EURO 2028 – including England’s opening game of the tournament should they qualify.

In finer details, the Etihad Stadium will host four Group Stage matches across four different groups, while Manchester City’s home arena will then go on to host a Round of 16 knockout match later in the competition.

Speaking on the announcement, Managing Director of Manchester City Operations, Danny Wilson expressed his pride in the selection, “Hosting five matches as part of UEFA EURO 2028, including England’s opening match should they qualify directly, will be a special moment for the Club, the city, and most importantly – its people.

“Manchester has a proud history of hosting some of the world’s best sporting and cultural events, including the Commonwealth Games in 2002 which kick-started the sports-led regeneration of this area of Manchester.

“Thanks to our work alongside Manchester City Council and the Club’s continued commitment to investing in world-class facilities, we are proud to continue bringing the best of the world to Manchester, and in turn, showcasing the best of Manchester to the world.”

Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, also praised the announcement, adding, “Manchester is known the world over as a great footballing city and we could not be more excited to be welcoming such a prestigious tournament. We’re a city where football runs deep in our DNA and we’re counting down the days to UEFA Euro 2028.”

Craig went on to highlight the benefits to the local community, noting that the tournament could provide an economic boost exceeding £200 million for the city and surrounding areas.

The timing of the competition also aligns with the completion of Manchester City’s £300 million Etihad Stadium expansion, set to be finished in late 2026, including an extended North Stand, new hotel, and a fan park for 6,000 people.