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Cardiff will welcome the opening game of the European Championship, while penultimate matches and final are set for the iconic English venue

Nine locations in four co-hosts - England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland - will stage the European championship

Fixtures were initially scheduled for Northern Ireland, but Belfast's Casement Park was dropped due to budgetary challenges

The European football body's choice to host the opening match in the Welsh capital was confirmed as the competition was officially launched on midweek

"This represents the first time that '{The Red Wall' - our dedicated supporters - will experience a significant championship on home soil," commented Welsh football governing body head official Noel Mooney

Unlike previous Euros, host nations must secure entry for the upcoming championship, though they would be guaranteed to participate in opening rounds on home turf if they secure immediate qualification

The four host nations will each be in separate qualifying groups, with two spots also reserved for the top-placed of those teams who fail to qualify through normal competitive channels

Event Organization

Last eight matches will be organized at Cardiff's Principality Stadium, Dublin's Aviva Stadium, Scotland's national stadium and Wembley - which was used for semi-finals and final in 1996 and for the delayed 2020 edition

Etihad Stadium, where England's national team would start their journey if they secure immediate qualification, before moving to the national stadium, is one of five other venues being used in the host nation

North London's venue, Birmingham's ground, Liverpool's new arena and St James' Park are the remaining locations that will be utilized across the total fixtures overall

Tourism Boost

The national administration says it is committing £557m to organize the championship but anticipates a financial gain of billions of pounds due to job creation, area improvement and tourist spending

"Euro 2028 will be the biggest sporting event ever co-organized by the host countries and, as a passionate enthusiast, I know how much global tournaments like this are important," remarked UK Prime Minister

With an typical venue size of just under substantial numbers, UEFA predicts that more supporters than ever before will experience fixtures at a European Championship finals

Local Reactions

The Football Association's chief executive said: "The magnitude of the tournament will have a significant beneficial effect on regions across the nation"

The equivalent official at the Irish football governing body, David Courell, added: "Our amazing fans are famous for their dedication and we look forward to providing them, as well as the hundreds of thousands who will visit Ireland for the championship, with the type of euphoric experience that they will never forget"

The head of the Scottish Football Association, the association official, commented: "There's frequent conversation about the power of football and the effect it can generate on a regular basis across the nation, far beyond the confines of a pitch"

The qualifying draw will take place in the Northern Irish capital on the specified date