Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium on course to stage major international tournament following significant Euro 2028 update

Etihad Stadium could host Euro 2028 after UEFA announced it had not rejected Britain and Ireland’s bid to host the tournament.

Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium, following a major refurbishment following planning permission, was one of ten stadiums selected in a joint bid to host Euro 2028 earlier this year.

Plans to expand Etihad Stadium’s North Stand are expected to increase capacity to over 60,000 seats, while the planned redevelopment will also include a new covered fan area in City Square, a club shop, a museum and a 400-bed hotel.

The entire project is scheduled to be complete by late 2026, although the expanded North Stand is due to open during the 2025/26 season, with work starting in November 2023.

Etihad Stadium is also on the verge of hosting Euro 2028 games as it was chosen ahead of Manchester United’s Old Trafford.

Great Britain and Ireland ran unopposed to host the tournament, paving the way for England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland to host football’s greatest event. UEFA announced on Friday that Italy and Turkey had asked to combine their individual bids into one joint bid to host the 2032 edition of the tournament, leaving Britain and Ireland as the sole bidders for 2028.

The Etihad Stadium was one of 10 stadiums nominated earlier this year, alongside; Wembley Stadium, Principality Stadium, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Everton Stadium, St James’ Park, Villa Park, Hampden Park, Aviva Stadium and Casement Park.

In a statement, UEFA said: “UEFA confirms today that it has received a request from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) to combine their individual bids into a joint bid to host UEFA EURO 2032. .”

“In 2021, UEFA launched a tender to host the next two editions of their European Championships in 2028 and 2032. The TFF accepted the procedure for both editions, while the FIGC decided to bid only for the 2032 edition .

“Five associations have also submitted a joint bid to host the 2028 edition: England, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

“UEFA will now work with FIGC and TFF to ensure that the documentation to be submitted for their joint bid is compliant with the bidding requirements.

“If the joint bid does comply with such requirements, it will be submitted to the UEFA Executive Committee at the meeting scheduled on 10 October, where the appointments for 2028 and 2032 will be made.

“Decisions on venues and match schedules will be made at a later stage.”