The excitement of EURO 2024 in Germany has concluded, but soccer fans are already eager for the next major international tournament in Europe. Looking forward, the question on everyone’s mind is: when is the Next Euro Cup Soccer event? Let’s delve into the details of the upcoming UEFA European Championship and what we can anticipate.
While Germany was a fantastic host for EURO 2024, setting a high standard for fan engagement and tournament organization, the focus now shifts to the future. The next edition, UEFA Euro 2028, is confirmed and promises to deliver another thrilling chapter in European soccer history.
Mark Your Calendars: UEFA Euro 2028 Dates
The UEFA Euro 2028 tournament is scheduled to take place in the summer of 2028. Following the pattern of recent Euro Cups, we can expect the tournament to be held in June and July. EURO 2024, for instance, was held from June 14th to July 14th, 2024. Therefore, it’s highly likely that June and July 2028 will be the timeframe for the next Euro cup soccer competition. Official dates will be announced by UEFA as the tournament approaches, so stay tuned for updates.
Where Will the Next Euro Cup Soccer Tournament Be Held?
Unlike EURO 2024 which was hosted solely by Germany, UEFA Euro 2028 will see a joint hosting effort. The UK and Ireland have been selected to jointly host the tournament. This exciting collaboration will bring the Euro Cup to multiple iconic stadiums and cities across these nations, offering a unique tournament experience for both players and fans.
This will be the first time the Republic of Ireland and Scotland have hosted Euro matches, while it will be the third time for England (after 1996 and part of Euro 2020) and the second for Wales (part of Euro 2020). The prospect of matches being held in famous venues across the UK and Ireland is already generating significant buzz among soccer enthusiasts.
What Cities and Stadiums Can We Expect for Euro 2028?
While the official host cities and stadiums are still to be fully confirmed, the bid submitted by the UK and Ireland included a list of potential venues. Based on the bid, we can anticipate matches being played in several world-class stadiums, including:
- England: London (Wembley Stadium & Tottenham Hotspur Stadium), Manchester (City of Manchester Stadium), Liverpool (Everton Stadium), Newcastle (St James’ Park), Birmingham (Villa Park)
- Scotland: Glasgow (Hampden Park)
- Wales: Cardiff (Principality Stadium)
- Republic of Ireland: Dublin (Aviva Stadium)
- Northern Ireland: Belfast (Casement Park – or a suitable alternative pending redevelopment)
These venues offer a mix of modern, state-of-the-art arenas and historic grounds, ensuring a fantastic atmosphere for the matches. The final selection of host cities and stadiums will be confirmed in the lead-up to 2028.
The ten UEFA EURO 2024 host cities
Image: While these were the host cities for EURO 2024 in Germany, the next Euro Cup in 2028 will be hosted across the UK and Ireland.
Tournament Format: What to Expect for the Next Euro Cup
The format of UEFA Euro 2028 is expected to remain consistent with recent editions, including EURO 2024 and EURO 2020. This means we can likely anticipate:
- 24 Participating Teams: The tournament will feature 24 of the top European national teams.
- Group Stage: Teams will be divided into groups, likely six groups of four teams each.
- Knockout Stage: The top two teams from each group, along with the best third-placed teams, will advance to the knockout stage, starting with the Round of 16.
- Final: The tournament will culminate in a final match to determine the Euro Cup champion.
This format has proven to be exciting and competitive, providing plenty of drama and thrilling matches for fans to enjoy.
Qualification for UEFA Euro 2028: The Road Ahead
The qualification process for UEFA Euro 2028 will begin in the years leading up to the tournament. While the exact format and dates for qualification are yet to be announced, it will likely involve:
- Qualifying Groups: Teams will be drawn into qualifying groups and play matches against each other in a home-and-away format.
- Play-offs: Potentially, play-offs will be held to determine the final qualifying spots, similar to EURO 2024.
- Host Nation Qualification: It is expected that as joint hosts, teams from the UK and Ireland will automatically qualify for the tournament, although the exact number of automatic spots is to be confirmed given the joint hosting arrangement.
Fans can follow the European Qualifiers to track the progress of their favorite national teams as they compete for a place in the next Euro cup soccer tournament.
Get Ready for the Next Euro Cup Soccer Excitement
While EURO 2024 provided unforgettable moments, the anticipation for UEFA Euro 2028 is already building. With the tournament heading to the UK and Ireland, fans can look forward to experiencing world-class soccer in iconic locations. Keep an eye on official UEFA announcements for more details on dates, host cities, and qualification as we approach the next edition of Euro cup soccer. The journey to Euro 2028 is just beginning!
Berlin
Image: Fan zones, like this one in Berlin during EURO 2024, will be a key part of the fan experience at the next Euro Cup soccer tournament in 2028.
