Euro 2028: UK and Ireland confirmed as football tournament hosts

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Gareth Bale with Alexander Ceferin on stage for Euros presentationImage source, Reuters
Image caption,

Former Wales captain Gareth Bale was present at the announcement in Nyon along with representatives from each of the host nations

If you enjoyed the World Cup and the European Championships, there's a big international tournament coming to stadiums around the UK.

The UK and Republic of Ireland have been confirmed as the hosts of the men's Euro 2028 tournament.

The only other country in the running to host it, Turkey, withdrew their application to focus on hosting Euro 2032 with Italy.

Matches will be played in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as well as the Republic of Ireland.

The decision was approved by Uefa at a meeting in Switzerland.

Which stadiums are due to host Euro 2028 matches?

Image source, GAA
Image caption,

Belfast's 34,500-seat Casement Park stadium hasn't yet been built

Countries bidding for the Euros need to show they have 10 suitable stadiums including a minimum of one with 60,000 capacity and at least one preferably two with 50,000 seat capacity.

The UK and Ireland bid featured 10 different stadiums from across the UK and Ireland - six in England and one each in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

The six English venues are Wembley and Tottenham Hotspur's Stadium in London, the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, St James' Park in Newcastle, Everton's new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock, Liverpool and Villa Park in Birmingham.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Hampden Park will host the matches taking place in Scotland

Casement Park in Belfast is due to be redeveloped and used as a venue for the tournament, along with Glasgow's Hampden Park and the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

The Aviva Stadium in Dublin will be the ground used in the Republic of Ireland.

England were one of the 11 countries to host Euro 2020 along with Scotland, as well as being sole hosts of the 1966 World Cup and Euro 96.

The Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Wales have never hosted a major football tournament before.