UK, Ireland to host tournament as Turkey shifts focus to 2032

The United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland have secured the rights to host the Euro 2028 tournament after Turkey withdrew its bid.

European football governing body UEFA is set to officially confirm the decision during a ceremony in Nyon, Switzerland, next week’s Tuesday.

“The award of both tournaments still requires the approval of the Executive Committee at its meeting in Nyon on 10 October,” UEFA clarified.

The right to host the competition comes as a result of a collaborative effort between the two countries, after submitting a joint proposal.

Initially, Turkey had been the only bidder to host the European countries, but reconsidered their options, with focus now on joining Italy to bid for the Euro 2032.

The UK and Ireland’s proposal includes a total of ten stadiums, including Premier League stadiums. However, reports have now revealed that Manchester United’s Old Trafford in England and Croke Park in Ireland have been excluded.

The six stadiums chosen from England are; Wembley, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Aston Villa’s stadium, Newcastle United’s St James’ Park, Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium, and Everton’s stadium.

To complete the list, four stadiums have also been chosen from Ireland, they are Wales’ Principality Stadium, Glasgow’s Hampden Park, Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, and Belfast’s Casement Park.

Meanwhile, two of the stadiums listed, Everton’s Bramley-Moore Dock and Casement Park, are still under construction, but are expected to be in full operation before 2028.

Euro 2024 has already been scheduled to take place in Germany next summer, with Germany securing the hosting rights after a vote in 2018, defeating Turkey in the process.