UK and Ireland officially submit bid to UEFA to host
The UK and Ireland have formally submitted their bid to host Euro 2028, with the five football associations encompassed in the nations providing UEFA with their preliminary bid dossier.
As part of the bid submission, the 14 shortlisted host stadiums have been revealed. Wembley, the London Stadium, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Villa Park, the City of Manchester Stadium, Old Trafford, the Everton Stadium, St James’ Park and the Stadium of Light would all potentially host matches in England.
Meanwhile, Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, Glasgow’s Hampden Park, Belfast’s Casement Park Stadium and Dublin’s Croke Park and the Aviva Stadium are all among the shortlist, too.
A final list of ten stadia will need to be submitted to UEFA in April 2023 in order for the UK and Ireland to progress with their bid for the competition in six years time.
The preliminary bid dossier aims to set out “a clear and compelling vision” for the European Championships, accompanied by a slogan: “Football for all. Football for good. Football for the future”.
The statement also reads: “Key to this vision is a commitment to diversity, social purpose and innovation in delivering an outstanding UEFA EURO 2028 that will create unforgettable memories in sold-out, iconic stadia in famous football cities known throughout the world.
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“We are delighted that Government Partners of the UK, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and officials in Northern Ireland, support this bid. Together, we believe we can deliver a world-class tournament, and that hosting UEFA Euro 2028 will achieve a strong and sustainable legacy for football and wider society, helping to drive economic growth in local communities.
“Working with UEFA, our plan is to host a tournament that will be a catalyst for transformational grassroots football development – with a promise to share legacy initiatives with European National Associations to accelerate growth across the continent.”
Turkey are also among the bidders hoping to secure Euro 2028, with UEFA’s executive committee set to make a decision on hosting for Euro 2028 and Euro 2032 in September 2023.
However, the UK and Ireland believe their bid is strongest, as evidenced in the preliminary bid dossier.
“The UK and Ireland’s track record of hosting successful major sporting events over many decades means we have the expertise and experience to take this world-class tournament to new heights,” it stated.
“Our compact plan and pioneering, multi-partner collaboration can usher in a new era for the European Championships. Through the latest digital and marketing innovations, we will help UEFA and its partners engage new audiences and the world’s youth to extend the impact and reach of the tournament further than ever before.
“Our stadia concept includes a proposed shortlist of 14 venues in famous sporting cities known throughout the world, including destinations that are home to clubs with great European football history and heritage. The plan ensures that all our proposed cities and stadia are connected by direct, quick and sustainable travel links and accommodation that will provide an unrivalled experience for teams and fans.”