UEFA EURO 2028 has officially kicked off its journey with launch events across the UK and Ireland, and Cardiff is set to take centre stage when the tournament begins next summer.
The opening match will be held at the National Stadium of Wales on Friday 9 June, marking a huge moment for Welsh football as the Principality Stadium adopts its international host name for the event.
The venue’s switch back to its traditional title follows UEFA protocol for major tournaments and helps place global focus on Wales as millions of fans tune in for the first game of the competition.
This will be the biggest sporting event ever jointly hosted by the UK and Ireland, with more than three million tickets expected to be available. The month-long tournament will finish with the final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 9 July.
As part of the match schedule, Wales will play its group stage fixtures in Cardiff if the national team qualifies directly. Cardiff will also host a quarter final, giving supporters in the capital even more reason to look forward to a huge summer of football.
Football Association of Wales CEO Noel Mooney said:
“To have Cardiff and the National Stadium of Wales host the opening match of UEFA EURO 2028 is a moment of immense pride for our nation. This will be the first time that The Red Wall – our passionate Cymru fans – will experience a major international tournament on home soil.
“It’s a truly historic occasion that will unite communities, inspire future generations and showcase the very best of Welsh football and culture on the world stage, which is a key aim of the FAW’s Our Wales / Ein Cymru strategy.
“Alongside the opening fixture, Cardiff will also host a quarter final match, ensuring that Wales plays a central role in delivering an unforgettable UEFA EURO 2028.”
The full match schedule confirms 51 games across 31 days in nine major venues. New kick off times have also been introduced to suit global audiences, while organisers say the schedule has been put together with travel fairness in mind to help fans move easily between host cities.
Alongside the fixtures, UEFA has unveiled the official tournament branding at 20:28 across major screens in London and in host cities around the UK and Ireland. The brand celebrates the sounds and energy of football fans, with each host city given its own unique tournament logo.
The tournament is also expected to bring major economic benefits. An independent assessment suggests UEFA EURO 2028 could deliver £3.6 billion in social and economic gains across the UK and Ireland between 2028 and 2031, with job creation, investment and community programmes forming a big part of the long term impact.
Debbie Hewitt MBE, Chair of UK and Ireland 2028 Limited, said:
“Today marks a proud milestone for football across the UK and Ireland as we celebrate the launch of UEFA EURO 2028.
“Working with UEFA and our football and government partners, we will deliver the best ever EURO. It will be a tournament for the fans and a festival of everything we love about the game, its passion and ability to bring people together.
“We are building an inspiring event, a welcoming, safe and sustainable UEFA EURO that will create lasting community benefits far beyond the pitch. The countdown is truly on now to what will be an unforgettable summer of football.”
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin added:
“Football is the universal language. It expresses passion, skill, courage, solidarity and respect better than any other, and it constantly reminds us that our differences are exactly what make our sport so beautiful. At UEFA EURO 2028, we will all speak football loud, clear and united.
“The host nations, where the game first took shape, are eager to welcome millions of fans into legendary stadiums, providing the right stage for a festival of emotions, vividly encapsulated in the design we presented today. The fans will be the beating heart of this tournament. In the way matches are staged including a new, more convenient kick off time for the final, and in the services across host cities and stadiums, we want to maximise the fan experience, in the venues and around the world, so more people than ever can fully enjoy what promises to be one of the year’s greatest events.”
International footballer and UK and Ireland 2028 Board Member Tyrone Mings said:
“EURO 2028 will be an unforgettable experience for everyone, for the players stepping into world class stadiums, and the fans who will create an electric atmosphere. I’ve played in many of these venues and they’re incredible when they come alive on big occasions.
“This tournament will showcase the very best of our football culture, fuel future football development and make a positive impact on local communities that lasts long after the final whistle.”
With Cardiff hosting the opening match and a quarter final, and the Principality Stadium returning to its National Stadium of Wales identity for the tournament, Wales is set for a landmark month that will place the nation firmly on the global football stage.
