Cardiff's Principality Stadium was the venue for the prestigious final in 2017
Cardiff will welcome the first match of UEFA's tournament, while semi-finals and championship match are scheduled for the iconic English venue
Nine locations in four participating countries - multiple British isles nations - will stage the European championship
Matches were initially scheduled for the northern territory, but that stadium option was excluded due to budgetary challenges
UEFA's decision to stage the initial fixture in Cardiff was confirmed as the competition was formally announced on midweek
"This will be the first time that '{The Red Wall' - our passionate Wales fans - will witness a significant championship on domestic territory," stated Welsh football governing body top administrator Noel Mooney
Unlike past tournaments, participating countries must qualify for the 2028 tournament, though they would be promised to play their group games on domestic soil if they secure immediate qualification
The participating countries will each be in distinct preliminary sections, with two positions also reserved for the highest-ranked of those sides who fail to qualify through regular qualification routes
Elite stage games will be staged at the Welsh national venue, Dublin's Aviva Stadium, Glasgow's Hampden Park and Wembley - which previously hosted penultimate and championship matches in the 1996 edition and for the rescheduled competition
Manchester's venue, where England's national team would begin their campaign if they secure immediate qualification, before moving to the national stadium, is part of multiple other venues being used in the host nation
North London's venue, Villa Park, Liverpool's new arena and Newcastle's stadium are the additional venues that will be employed across the total fixtures overall
The UK government says it is allocating significant funding to stage the competition but anticipates a economic benefit of substantial economic impact due to work generation, area improvement and tourist spending
"This tournament will be the most significant occasion ever co-organized by the UK and Ireland and, as a passionate enthusiast, I know how much international competitions like this count," stated government head
With an average stadium capacity of just under sixty thousand, the governing body forecasts that increased spectators than ever before will experience fixtures at a European Championship finals
The Football Association's chief executive commented: "The size of the championship will have a substantial advantage on regions across the nation"
His counterpart at the national organization, the association head, added: "The passionate followers are known for their dedication and we await giving them, as well as the countless tourists who will travel to the nation for the tournament, with the sort of unforgettable event that they will never forget"
The head of the Scottish Football Association, the association official, commented: "People discuss about the impact of the game and the impact it can create on a daily basis across the nation, far beyond the confines of a pitch"
The qualifying draw will occur in Belfast on December 6th, 2026
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