Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Chronicle Live
Chronicle Live
Sport
Oliver Jones

St James' Park included in UK and Ireland EURO 2028 bid amid Old Trafford and Stadium of Light snub

Newcastle United's St James' Park stadium has been included as one of 10 grounds that could host the EURO 2028 tournament - if the UK and Ireland's bid is successful.

The 52,000 seater stadium is home to one of the noisiest atmosphere's in English football, and was chosen over the likes of Manchester United's Old Trafford and fierce rivals Sunderland's Stadium of Light - both of which have dropped to the reserve list.

The other Premier League grounds to have been chosen are the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Manchester City's Etihad Stadium, Aston Villa's Villa Park, and Everton’s new ground at Bramley Moore Dock.

Wembley Stadium is almost certain to be the host ground for the tournament's final, while the other venues included in the bid are the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Hampden Park in Glasgow, the Aviva Stadium in Dublin and Casement Park in Belfast.

READ MORE: Newcastle handed surprise Miguel Almiron boost as Allan Saint-Maximin shares injury update

READ MORE: Ben Foster's Wrexham retirement decision ‘vindicated’ after Newcastle and Premier League snub

A joint statement from the five British and Irish FAs said: "High-capacity, world-famous football grounds and state-of-the-art new venues will provide the platform for the biggest and most commercially successful UEFA Euro ever – making us a low risk, high reward host."

The bid runs under the slogan 'For all, for good, for the future', with the main competition for hosting rights coming from Turkey, with the deciding vote being held by UEFA in October.

FA and bid chair Debbie Hewitt said: "Our pioneering five-way partnership will deliver a record-breaking and unforgettable UEFA Euros. We will work together tirelessly to be the best partners for UEFA and to deliver on every one of our shared priorities.

"We will focus on growing football, connecting with and engaging new fans, players and volunteers. We continue to invest £50million annually into grassroots football development across our five associations.

"Together, we want UEFA Euro 2028 to be the catalyst for a new and sustainable era for football, from the grassroots to the very top of the European game."

Pam Smith, Chief Executive of Newcastle City Council, added: “The EUFA Euro tournament is undoubtedly one of the biggest sporting events in the world and it is fantastic for our city to be included in this joint bid.

“Football has provided some truly memorable moments in recent years, including England winning the UEFA Women’s EURO last summer, and it would be incredible for our city to be part of the journey of the men’s team achieving the same success.

“Newcastle has an excellent track record of holding elite sporting events, we’re a city that is set up to deliver, and we’re proud to be part of this bold and inclusive bid which promises to bring our nations together and inspire future generations.”

A promise that three million tournament tickets will be available to the public is at the core of the UK and Ireland bid, a number that's more than any previous European Championship.

Full list of proposed host stadiums:

Wembley Stadium (London) - 90,652

Principality Stadium (Cardiff) - 73,952

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (London) - 62,322

Etihad Stadium (Manchester) - 61,000

Bramley Moore Dock (Liverpool) - 52,679

St James' Park (Newcastle) - 52,305

Villa Park (Birmingham) - 52,190

Hampden Park (Glasgow) - 52,032

Dublin Arena - 51,711

Casement Park (Belfast) - 34,500

READ NEXT:

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.