Man City to host first England game at Euro 2028 as part of £200m boost

Manchester City will host five matches at Euro 2028, including the first England game should the Three Lions qualify

England will play their first Euro 2028 game at the Etihad Stadium if they qualify as the Three Lions go on the road.

Wembley will still be the base for most of the national team's games in the tournament being held in the UK, hosting two of England's group games as well as a potential quarter-final, semi-final and final. However, the Three Lions quest for glory in three years will begin in Manchester.

Thomas Tuchel's side, who have already booked their place at next summer's World Cup with two games to go thanks to a perfect record of six victories, will have to qualify for Euro 2028 alongside co-hosts Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. However, UEFA have reserved two spots for the best-ranked host nations that do not qualify as either group winners or best runners-up.

City have four players currently in the England squad in Phil Foden, John Stones, Nico O'Reilly and James Trafford, while Jack Grealish - currently on loan at Everton - and Rico Lewis have also been involved in previous camps. They also had more players (14) across all national teams at Euro 2024 than any other club.

In total, the Etihad will host five games at the Euros that will mean more than 300,000 tickets will be on sale for matches at the stadium. After games from four different groups, the ground - one of six selected in England - will also have a last-16 match.

City recently hosted the Lionesses against Brazil in their first game since winning the Euros and see their involvement in the men's tournament in 2028 as another mark of progress.

"What better vote of confidence for the city than a football club that play in and host high-profile matches?" City's managing director of operations Danny Wilson told the Manchester Evening News last month.

"We've had the MTV Music awards at Co-op Live, the Brits are coming there next year for the first time ever outside of London, NBA is coming in 2027, we're back in the concert game, we 've got games at the Euros in 2028, and there's other sporting events that we're looking at and bidding for working with the city.

"It's not just about the site and the venues and how they benefit, it's the wider economic benefits to the city of people coming in and eating in the restaurants in the day, staying in hotels, and I think it's great for Manchester.

"The more events you get, the more people you get into the city, the more the economy starts to thrive, the more jobs that come and for our ambition to become a destination open every single day of the year you do need more people.

"Our commitment is to find jobs for local people, to reskill, upskill and cross-skill to give them opportunities. There are a lot of positive benefits, not just it being great for the football club."

Commenting on the announcement, Leader of Manchester City Council, Councillor Bev Craig, said: "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, which is enjoyed by millions of fans around the world, to our city.

"We're a city where football runs deep in our DNA and we're counting down the days to UEFA Euro 2028. As well as our unrivalled love for football, the city brings together an exceptional network of partners who are working tirelessly to ensure a world-class experience for players, fans, and visitors alike.

"It's important also to acknowledge the ongoing investment in facilities and development of the area around the stadium in East Manchester into a world-class sports and entertainment campus - which is what enabled us to put the strongest possible bid in to host the tournament, and ultimately led to us being chosen as one of the tournament's host cities.

"As well as enjoying some fantastic football from world-class players at the top of their game right here on our doorstep, we'll be going all out to maximise the benefits to Manchester of hosting the tournament, and with a projected economic boost to the local economy of over £200 million, it's an absolute win-win for the city and for local residents."

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