With the excitement of recent football championships still in the air, anticipation is already building for UEFA EURO 2028. Set to be hosted across the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, this tournament promises to be a major event. Let’s delve into what we know so far about EURO 2028 and explore the potential economic influence, thinking about the impact in 2028 Euros.
EURO 2028 Host Nations and Venues
In October 2023, UEFA officially announced that the joint bid from England, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales had been successful. This means EURO 2028 will be staged throughout these five nations, bringing the tournament to a diverse range of iconic locations.
Ten stadiums have been selected to host matches, ensuring broad geographical coverage and accessibility for fans. These include renowned venues such as Wembley Stadium in London, Hampden Park in Glasgow, the Dublin Arena, and the Principality Stadium in Cardiff (National Stadium of Wales). With an estimated three million tickets available, a vast number of fans will have the opportunity to experience the thrill of live international football.
EURO 2028 Dates and Tournament Schedule
While the precise dates are still to be confirmed, the provisional schedule for UEFA EURO 2028 points to a tournament held between 9 June and 9 July 2028. This timeframe aligns with the typical summer slot for major international football competitions, offering optimal weather conditions and minimizing disruption to the regular European football season.
Fans and stakeholders can expect the final tournament dates to be officially announced approximately two years prior to the event, allowing ample time for planning and preparation.
EURO 2028 Format and Qualification Process
The format of EURO 2028 will remain consistent with the successful 24-team structure that has been in place since EURO 2016. This format provides a balanced and competitive tournament, featuring an expanded group stage followed by knockout rounds.
The group stage will consist of six groups, with the top two teams from each group automatically progressing to the round of 16. In addition, the four best third-placed teams will also advance, ensuring that strong performances are rewarded and adding an extra layer of excitement to the group phase. From the round of 16 onwards, the tournament proceeds as a straight knockout competition, culminating in the final match.
Qualifying for EURO 2028 is set to commence in March 2027 and conclude in November 2027. A new qualifying format will be implemented, featuring 12 groups of four or five teams. Teams will compete in a home-and-away format within their groups. Group winners will secure automatic qualification for EURO 2028. Runners-up will have a pathway to qualification either directly or through play-off matches involving UEFA Nations League teams, scheduled for March 2028.
Considering the scale of EURO 2028, the economic benefits across the host nations are anticipated to be substantial. From tourism boosts and increased spending in local economies to infrastructure investment and job creation, the 2028 euros generated by the tournament are expected to leave a lasting positive impact. Further analysis will be needed to quantify the exact financial figures, but the event undoubtedly represents a significant economic opportunity for the UK and Republic of Ireland.
