- UK and Ireland secure Euro 2028 hosting rights after Turkey’s withdrawal.
- The final list of 10 venues was announced, excluding four initially proposed.
- Significant redevelopment and construction plans for selected venues.
- Wembley Stadium to host the final and potentially both semi-finals
In a decisive move by UEFA, the joint bid from the United Kingdom and Ireland has been officially confirmed as the host for Euro 2028. This announcement follows Turkey’s withdrawal from the bidding process, solidifying the UK and Ireland’s uncontested position.
The initially proposed 14 venues were carefully considered, and after rigorous evaluation, the final list has been streamlined to 10 venues. Notably absent from the selected venues are Dublin’s Croke Park, Manchester’s Old Trafford, Sunderland’s Stadium of Light, and London Stadium.
Hosted Venues – England
- Etihad Stadium in Manchester is set to increase its capacity to 62,000 by 2025.
- Everton Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock is targeting completion in late 2023 with a capacity of 52,888.
- Villa Park is undergoing a £100 million redevelopment, pushing its capacity beyond 50,000.
Hosted Venues – London
- Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London’s largest club stadium, boasts a capacity of over 62,000.
- Wembley Stadium, England’s national stadium, is expected to host the final.
Hosted Venues – Other Nations
- Casement Park in Northern Ireland, with a capacity of 34,500, will begin construction in 2022.
- Aviva Stadium in Dublin, with over 51,000 capacity, addresses past spectator-level concerns.
- Hampden Park in Scotland, with a proposed increased capacity of 65,000, has been chosen as Scotland’s representative.
Principality Stadium in Wales:
Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, with a substantial capacity of 74,500, becomes the second-largest venue. Notably, it has previously hosted the 2017 Champions League final.
News Commentary
According to the Independent, On October 10, UEFA officially approved the unopposed bid from the United Kingdom and Ireland for the hosting rights of an upcoming football event. The selection encompasses a total of ten stadiums, showcasing a blend of iconic venues across the region.
These include Wembley, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Etihad Stadium, Principality Stadium, Everton Stadium, Dublin Arena, Casement Park, Hampden Park, Villa Park, and St James’ Park. Among these, Wembley has been designated as the prestigious venue for the final match, with the possibility of hosting both semi-final clashes as well.
This confirmation underscores the collaboration between the UK and Ireland in organizing a major football spectacle, promising an exciting tournament for fans and players alike.