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Etihad Stadium included as host ground in UK’s Euro 2028 bid – but Old Trafford misses out

The FA says its final bid "shows how our nations are collaborating to stage a historic football festival for all of Europe".

Emily Sergeant - 12th April 2023

The Football Association (FA) has today submitted its official bid for the UK and Ireland to be joint hosts of UEFA EURO 2028.

But only one Manchester stadium has been chosen as a potential host ground.

With the next edition of European football’s flagship competition all set to takeover Germany in 2024, bidding for 2028 is now well underway – and today, The FA has submitted its final bid for the UK and Ireland to jointly host the tournament.

The final bid comes the form of a “detailed plan” that the FA says “shows how our nations are collaborating to stage a historic football festival for all of Europe”.

They also claim that the UK and Ireland hosting would “take the tournament to new heights”.

The UK and Ireland’s plan for the tournament is described by the FA as a “world-class stadia concept” that’s been “tailor-made” for EURO 2028, and is enhanced by the “excellent technical facilities” and “operational experience” of the two countries.

The bid has, for the first time, proposed a number of host cities across the two countries, and confirmed the 10 potential host stadiums – with the City of Manchester Stadium being featured on the list, but Old Trafford failing to make the cut.

Wembley Stadium in London, the National Stadium of Wales in Cardiff, Hampden Park in Glasgow, Casement Park in Belfast, and Dublin Arena in Ireland are some of the other potential stadiums.

UK & Ireland EURO 2028 Host Stadiums

1. Wembley Stadium
2. National Stadium of Wales
3. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (62,322)
4. City of Manchester Stadium (61,000)
5. Everton Stadium (52,679)
6. St James’ Park (52,305)
7. Villa Park (52,190)
8. Hampden Park (52,032)
9. Dublin Arena (51,711)
10. Casement Park (34,500)

The FA says these 10 high-capacity football grounds that are famous around the world will provide the platform for the “biggest and most commercially-successful UEFA EURO ever”, with almost three million tickets to the tournament set to be available.

With matches able to be hosted around all four UK nations and Ireland, as well as within different English regions, the FA says it hopes to “reach as many communities as possible” during the tournament.

The bid also places “sustainability” and good governance practice” as “top priorities”, according to the FA.

“Our vision ‘Football for all, Football for good. Football for the future’ is a promise to help our Associations and UEFA grow a more diverse and inclusive game, as well as connect with new audiences and the next generation of fans and volunteers,” the FA said in a statement.

With substantial Government funding set to come from each of the host nations if the UK and Ireland’s bid is successful, the FA says it “shares and supports” UEFA’s plan that hosting UEFA EURO 2028 is “a significant opportunity to transform football development” and “generate meaningful economic, environmental, and social benefits”.

Read more:

• UK and Ireland launch joint bid to host the EURO 2028 tournament
• Manchester City considering expanding Etihad Stadium capacity and building on-site hotel
• Manchester United said to be considering demolishing Old Trafford as part of revamp

“We look forward to continuing our engagement with UEFA and listening and learning from the European football family to enhance our bid plans,” The FA concluded in its statement.

Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons