Scotland to host Euro 2028 games alongside Ireland and rest of UK

Scotland has been officially confirmed as joint co-hosts of Euro 2028.

Hampden Park will be used as one of the venues at the championships alongside stadiums from England, Wales, Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

UEFA rubber stamped the successful UK and Ireland bid on Tuesday.

Previously, host-nations automatically qualify for the tournament – how this will work for the five-nation bid is expected to be confirmed soon.

All five nations are expected to go through qualification for the tournament, with UEFA understood to be reserving two host nation places for any of the teams which do not make it on merit.

However, if more than two do not qualify by right, it is believed that only the best two to miss out will be given host-nation places.

Euro 2028: UK and Ireland confirmed as hosts. Euro 2028

The majority of games will be played in England with Wembley and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, St James’ Park in Newcastle, Villa Park in Birmingham and Everton’s new home at Bramley-Moore Dock in Liverpool all included.

A redeveloped Casement Park in Belfast, the Aviva Stadium in Dublin and the Principality Stadium in Cardiff are the other venues.

It is believed the final will be at Wembley for the second time in three European Championships after the 90,000 seater stadium also hosted the 2020 final.

Hampden also hosted four games in that tournament that was held across the continent and played a year late due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Councillors previously agreed £7.5m in funding to the deliver Euro 2028 at Hampden.

First Minister Humza Yousaf welcomed the annpuncement.

He said: “Football is Scotland’s national game and a powerful force for good in communities right across the country. It is this combination which underpinned the Scottish Government’s support for the successful joint bid.

“Hosting the Euros in Scotland will provide a range of opportunities, not only through the economic benefits of visiting fans but through a strong legacy programme that will help grow a more inclusive and diverse game right across the country.

“The legacy vision of ‘Football for All, Football for Good and Football for the Future’ captures the positive impact football has in our communities.

“Scotland has proven experience in hosting major events and I look forward to continuing to work closely with the Scottish FA, Glasgow Life, and all other bid partners to deliver a welcoming, exciting and safe EURO 2028.”

A joint statement from the five football associations read: “The UK and Ireland thanks UEFA for its confidence to award UEFA EURO 2028 to the five Association partnership, and congratulates Italy and Turkey on their appointment for UEFA EURO 2032.

“Across the UK and Ireland, celebrations are under way as players, fans and local communities can look forward to an outstanding festival of summer football at UEFA EURO in 2028.”

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer also welcomed the news, saying: “I’m thrilled we’ve secured UEFA EURO 2028. It will be the biggest sporting event ever jointly hosted in the UK and Ireland.

“We will put on a brilliant tournament with fans at its heart. We will warmly welcome fans from across Europe to our islands’ shores and give people memories that will last a lifetime.

“On top of that, the tournament is expected to deliver up to £2.6 billion of socio-economic benefit across the host nations, creating jobs and opportunities.”

The Turkey-Italy bid for 2032 was also formally approved on Tuesday.

Scotland have only ever qualified for three previous Euros but haven’t played a game outside the UK in the tournament since 1992 when it was held in Sweden.

They reached the 1996 competition that was held in England and in their three games at Euro 2020 they played two at Hampden and one at Wembley.

Steve Clarke’s side are currently on the verge of qualifying for the 2024 version that will be held in Germany next summer.

They play Spain on Thursday knowing a point would be enough to qualify, and could even secure their place if they lose and Norway fail to beat Cyprus the same night.

Failing that they will have another two games, away to Georgia and Norway at Hampden, to get the points needed that will see them book their place.