The UK and Ireland have submitted a final bid to host Euro 2028 and announced the list of stadiums proposed to host matches.
The list, put together by the four home nations’ football associations and the Football Association of Ireland, sees some notable absences – including Old Trafford, London Stadium, and Croke Park – and some surprise additions, such as the unbuilt Everton Stadium and Casement Park in Belfast.
Redevelopment work has yet to begin on a new 34,500-capacity stadium planned for Belfast’s Casement Park, which previously hosted hurling and Gaelic football but has lay dormant for almost a decade, with major doubts over how it will be funded.
Meanwhile, Everton’s new stadium, at Bramley Moore Dock, which was preferred to Anfield on the original shortlist of 14 stadiums because Liverpool’s pitch size does not meet UEFA regulations for international tournaments, is expected to open next year.
The 10 proposed grounds included in the bid are:
• Wembley Stadium – London
• National Stadium of Wales – Cardiff
• Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – London
• City of Manchester Stadium – Manchester
• Everton Stadium – Liverpool
• St James’ Park – Newcastle
• Villa Park – Birmingham
• Hampden Park – Glasgow
• Dublin Arena – Dublin
• Casement Park – Belfast
The bid is running with the pledge of providing ‘Football for all, Football for good. Football for the future’.
The bid states, ‘The UK and Ireland share a proud reputation as world-leading event destinations which have successfully staged some of the biggest global sporting tournaments – backed by strong government support.
‘This includes the recent record-breaking UEFA Women’s EURO 2022.
‘We are delighted that our government partners are fully committed to hosting UEFA EURO 2028.
‘They have signed the relevant tournament guarantees and will ensure the event is fully supported.
‘This will create a welcoming, exciting and safe football experience that players and fans will enjoy in every city and every game.’
The UK and Ireland face a rival bid from Turkey, the only other confirmed bid so far. Russia had also expressed an interest in hosting, but UEFA declared the bid ineligible over the war in Ukraine.
UEFA is expected to make a final decision on where the tournament will be held in September.
