The UK and Ireland teamed up to bid for the right to host Euro 2028, and UEFA has now officially confirmed their selection. However, this week’s announcement revealing the chosen venues — including where England will play if they qualify — hasn’t generated quite the excitement many expected.
Wembley Stadium will naturally be the focal point, staging the final and several key knockout games. Other confirmed venues include Glasgow’s Hampden Park, Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, and the new grounds belonging to Everton and Tottenham Hotspur. If England qualify directly, their opening matches under Thomas Tuchel are expected to take place at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium.
Yet, two of England’s most iconic football grounds have been left off the list — Liverpool’s Anfield and Manchester United’s Old Trafford — a decision that’s raised plenty of eyebrows.
Why Anfield Missed Out on Euro 2028
Anfield’s omission, while disappointing, comes down to UEFA’s strict regulations on pitch size. Tournament venues must have a playing surface measuring 105m by 68m — but Anfield’s pitch is around four metres too short.
Because of how close the stands are to the field, expanding the pitch to meet UEFA standards isn’t possible, according to the Liverpool Echo. It’s not a new issue — Anfield has long been ineligible to host UEFA finals for the same reason, and England haven’t played there since 2006.
The stadium last hosted a major international event during Euro 1996, featuring matches involving Italy, Russia, the Czech Republic, and a quarter-final between France and the Netherlands. This time, Merseyside’s representation will come from Everton’s brand-new 52,769-capacity Hill Dickinson Stadium. Despite being smaller, it meets UEFA’s requirements — and given local fans’ general lack of enthusiasm for international football, few on the red half of the city will lose much sleep over it.
Why Old Trafford Won’t Be Used Either
Old Trafford’s exclusion, meanwhile, has less to do with UEFA rules and more to do with uncertainty over its condition. Despite being one of England’s most famous stadiums, the “Theatre of Dreams” has fallen into disrepair in recent years — viral clips of rainwater leaking through its roof tell the story.
Originally shortlisted by the FA, the stadium was later withdrawn after discussions with Manchester United. The club’s redevelopment plans meant there was no guarantee the venue would be ready in time for Euro 2028.
United are now exploring a large-scale rebuild of the entire Old Trafford site, possibly replacing the current structure with a 100,000-seater, state-of-the-art arena. However, with no confirmed timeline, its future remains uncertain — and visitors hoping to see Euro 2028 matches at one of football’s most historic venues will have to look elsewhere.
Leave a Reply