UK and Ireland confirmed as Euro 2028 hosts

UEFA has confirmed that the UK and Ireland will host the European Championship in 2028.

The respective nations have been preparing to propose a strong bid for some time, with the belief being that they were the favourites to stage the tournament.

However, the process was effectively brought to a close last week when Turkey withdrew from the running, giving UK and Ireland a free pass.

With the final formalities having been completed, UEFA has now announced that England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland will host matches in the competition.

A total of 10 stadiums are due to be used, most notably Wembley Stadium which is expected to host the final and other key fixtures.

The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Manchester City's Etihad Stadium, Newcastle United's St James' Park and Aston Villa's home ground of Villa Park are all part of the English contingent.

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Everton's new Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium is also set to be involved providing that it is completed in time to pass all the relevant criteria.

Cardiff's Principality Stadium will represent Wales, with Football Association of Wales chief executive Noel Mooney and legendary forward Gareth Bale both commenting on Tuesday that they hope that it can stage the opening game.

Hampden Park will stage matches played in Scotland, Casement Park - providing that renovations are completed - will feature for Northern Ireland and the Aviva Stadium in Ireland will also play host to fixtures.

As it stands, it is yet to be decided which nations - if any - will be handed automatic qualification like is usually the case when a country hosts a major competition.

BBC Sport suggests that it is unlikely that any more than two nations will be handed a place in the tournament without having to go through the qualification process.