Cardiff's Principality Stadium was the venue for the Champions League final in recent years
The Welsh capital will stage the first match of UEFA's tournament, while penultimate matches and championship match are scheduled for London's Wembley Stadium
Nine stadiums spread throughout four host nations - England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland - will stage the European championship
Games were originally planned for Northern Ireland, but Belfast's Casement Park was removed due to financial constraints
The European football body's choice to stage the first game in Cardiff was confirmed as the competition was officially launched on Wednesday
"This represents the first time that '{The Red Wall' - our dedicated supporters - will enjoy a major international tournament on native ground," stated Football Association of Wales top administrator the organization's leader
In contrast to earlier European Championships, host nations must qualify for the 2028 tournament, though they would be promised to play their group games on local stadiums if they earn automatic entry
The four host nations will each be in distinct preliminary sections, with two places also reserved for the best-performing of those sides who fail to qualify through regular qualification routes
Tournament Structure
Elite stage games will be held at the Welsh national venue, Dublin's Aviva Stadium, Glasgow's Hampden Park and Wembley - which previously hosted key fixtures in 1996 and for the rescheduled competition
Manchester's venue, where the Three Lions would begin their campaign if they secure immediate qualification, before moving to Wembley, is among several other venues being used in England
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Villa Park, Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium and Newcastle's stadium are the others that will be used across the 51 matches throughout the tournament
Economic Impact
The British authorities says it is allocating significant funding to organize the championship but expects a return of billions of pounds due to job creation, regional growth and overseas tourism
"The European Championship will be the biggest sporting event ever co-organized by the UK and Ireland and, as a dedicated supporter, I know how much global tournaments like this matter," remarked the national leader
With an typical venue size of just under sixty thousand, the governing body estimates that greater attendance than ever before will watch games at a European Championship finals
National Perspectives
English football's head official commented: "The size of the tournament will have a significant beneficial effect on communities throughout the country"
The equivalent official at the Irish football governing body, the association head, added: "Our amazing fans are famous for their enthusiasm and we await offering them, as well as the numerous visitors who will come to the country for the competition, with the type of euphoric experience that they will always remember"
The leader of the Scottish governing body, the association official, said: "There's frequent conversation about the influence of the sport and the effect it can create on a regular basis across Scotland, far beyond the boundaries of the field"
The qualifying draw will happen in the Northern Irish capital on December 6th, 2026
