The UK & Ireland look set to host Euro 2028 after lodging a joint bid to host the competition last month. Main rivals Italy are considering waiting until 2032 so they can upgrade their stadiums while Russia are unlikely to win due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine - paving the way for the tournament to be played on these shores.
Euro 1996 is the last time England officially hosted a tournament, but last summer’s event was effectively a homecoming as every Three Lions game apart from the quarter-final took place at Wembley. Like England, Scotland were also joint-hosts at Euro 2020 but a winning bid would see Wales and Ireland stage a tournament for the first time in their history.
Northern Ireland, as part of the UK, would also officially be considered co-hosts for the first time. However, their stadium, Windsor Park, only holds 22,000 spectators and is unlikely to be chosen as a venue. Unfortunately for Newcastle United and Sunderland fans, their stadiums could be set to miss out, too.
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France were the last nation to host the Euros on their own in 2016 when 10 venues were featured. Germany, who will also use 10 stadiums, stage the competition in two years - meaning it is likely the same number will be chosen if England & Ireland win the bid.
St James’ Park was the third-biggest stadium when Sir John Hall expanded the ground to its current capacity in 1998. Euro 96 saw Newcastle host three group games as Zinedine Zidane & Co strutted their stuff on Tyneside. More than two decades on, the Magpies’ home is now eighth on the list due to other clubs leapfrogging the club both on and off the pitch.
If England hosted the tournament on its own, St James’ Park would likely be a shoo-in given its location and capacity. But grounds such as Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium (74,500) and Celtic Park (60,000) are likely to be considered. Hampden Park in Scotland - despite a slightly smaller capacity than St James’ - will almost certainly be used due to its importance to Scottish football.
Where things get interesting is in Ireland, as Croke Park in Dublin would be the second-largest venue at the tournament if UEFA softens its current rules. The Gaelic games stadium holds 82,500 people and has previously hosted football matches but temporary seats would need to be installed - a breach of UEFA requirements. The Aviva Stadium - also in Dublin - would be an alternative location.
A glimmer of hope for St James’ Park may come if the FA restricts the number of venues per city to see fixtures played in the North East. West Ham’s London Stadium has obvious downsides, while the Emirates could be deemed too close to Wembley or the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Etihad may miss out if Old Trafford is chosen - making Newcastle a plausible option as a one-club city.
Sunderland’s trump card is how England’s men and women sides have both played at the Stadium of Light in recent years. However, the Black Cats' ground is now the 15th largest in the British Isles and, given the club’s current reputation as a League One club, would unlikely be included in the bid.
Biggest football stadiums in UK & Ireland
*Croke Park is a Gaelic games stadium that does not currently comply to UEFA regulations
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