UK and Ireland Gear Up to Host Euro 2028 with Star-Studded Stadium Lineup
Belfast’s Casement Park and Everton’s brand-new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium headline a star-studded list of venues bidding to host the Euro 2028 finals. Glasgow’s Hampden Park, Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, and iconic English grounds—St James’ Park, Villa Park, the Etihad Stadium, and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium—are also in the mix. Dublin’s renowned Aviva Stadium rounds off the shortlist.
Political Powerhouses Back Unprecedented Joint Bid
The bid has heavyweight backing from UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf, and Wales’ First Minister Mark Drakeford. All hail it as the “biggest sporting event our islands have ever jointly staged.”
Stadiums Face Hurdles But Aim for Big Payoff
- Casement Park: Closed since 2013, this Gaelic Athletic Association venue is awaiting redevelopment clearance amid legal challenges.
- Bramley-Moore Dock: Still under construction with an expected 53,000 capacity, Everton’s new stadium is due by 2024. Costs have ballooned to £760m—a hefty £260m jump from last year.
UEFA’s executive committee will decide the host in September. Work must kick off by summer 2024, four years before kick-off. The bid boasts excellent public transport links and expects to pump £2.6bn into participating economies.
Euro 2028 Pledges Sustainability and Safety
The bid promises a focus on sustainability and top governance, with a record three million tickets set for public sale. Organisers are also on high alert to avoid the chaos that marred the Euro 2020 final at Wembley—where ticketless, intoxicated fans caused dangerous disorder.
