In an exciting announcement, UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin revealed that the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland have been chosen as co-hosts for the Euro 2028 tournament. Furthermore, it was confirmed that Italy and Turkey will come together as co-hosts for the Euro 2032 championships. The bid from the UK and Ireland stood unopposed after Turkey withdrew its entry to focus on the joint bid with Italy.
Euro 2028 will be a grand showcase of footballing talent across ten venues, with six located in England, one in Wales, one in Scotland, one in Northern Ireland, and one in the Republic of Ireland. The selected stadiums include the iconic Principality Stadium in Cardiff, London's Wembley Stadium and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Manchester City's Etihad Stadium, St. James' Park in Newcastle, Villa Park in Birmingham, Glasgow's Hampden Park, and Dublin's Aviva Stadium. Additionally, Everton's new stadium and Casement Park in Belfast are part of the bid, although they have yet to be constructed.
This co-hosting opportunity marks a significant milestone for Northern Ireland, Ireland, and Wales, as it will be their first time hosting a major soccer tournament. It comes on the heels of the successful hosting of Euro 2020 matches in England and Scotland, including the final held at London's Wembley Stadium between England and Italy, which unfortunately experienced fan trouble before the match started.
The Euro 2028 tournament is set to witness an unprecedented number of tickets available, with approximately three million on offer. This surpasses the ticket availability of any previous edition of the championship. The Football Association, the governing body of English football, has confirmed this exciting news, raising expectations for a captivating and wide-reaching tournament.
As for the Euro 2032 championships, Turkey and Italy will join forces as co-hosts. Italy, having hosted the European Championship twice before in 1968 and 1980, brings a rich history and passion for the sport to the event. Istanbul's Ataturk Olympic Stadium, renowned for hosting numerous major soccer games, including the 2020 Champions League final, will undoubtedly add grandeur to the matches.
With Germany set to host the upcoming European Championship in 2022, this wave of co-hosting between nations showcases UEFA's commitment to spreading the love of football throughout the continent. It promises to bring fans from different nations together to celebrate the beautiful game and create unforgettable moments on the grandest stages. Football enthusiasts worldwide eagerly await the kick-off of these future tournaments, where nations unite to showcase their footballing prowess and passion.