L to R: Irish Football Association’s President, Conrad Kirkwood, Football Association of Wales’s President, Steve Williams, England’s Football Association Chair Debbie Hewitt, UEFA General Secretary Theodore Theodoridis, Football Association of Ireland’s President Gerry McAnaney and Scotland Football Association’s President Rod Petrie UEFA

Anticipation is building as the joint bid by England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland edges closer to becoming the host for UEFA Euro 2028.

The excitement escalated after Turkey, the sole competitor for the 2028 tournament, and Italy decided to combine their individual bids for Euro 2032 instead, leaving the UK and Ireland as the sole contenders for Euro 2028.

Ten world-class stadiums have been confirmed to stage matches during the competition, ensuring a fantastic football spectacle for fans. Among the selected venues are iconic arenas such as Wembley, St James’ Park, and Villa Park, which previously hosted matches during Euro 96. Joining them are the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, Glasgow’s Hampden Park, and Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.

One of the most exciting inclusions is Casement Park in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Although currently a Gaelic games venue, it has been selected to host Euro 2028 matches after it undergoes transformation into a new 34,500-capacity stadium.

The British and Irish bid, backed by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf, and Wales’ First Minister Mark Drakeford, promises to make Euro 2028 a “low risk, high reward host”.

They said in a statement: ‘It will be the biggest sporting event our islands have ever jointly staged – a passionate and unforgettable celebration, with long-term benefits for our cities and communities as well as all European football.’

The British and Irish bid runs under the slogan, ‘For all, for good, for the future’ and promises there will be a record three million tickets available for the tournament.

“It will be the biggest sporting event our islands have ever jointly staged – a passionate and unforgettable celebration, with long-term benefits for our cities and communities as well as all European football,” stated the five British and Irish FAs.

The verdict on the host announcement is expected in September 2023, and if successful, UEFA Euro 2028 will undoubtedly leave a lasting legacy, uniting football fans across the UK and Ireland in an unparalleled sporting event.