Cardiff’s Principality Stadium could host opening match at UEFA EURO 2028

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The UK and Ireland will host EURO 2028, European football’s governing body UEFA has confirmed.

The Principality Stadium in Cardiff was included as part of the successful bid and is expected to the host the tournament’s opening game.

The joint-bid was submitted to EUEFA earlier this year by the Football Association of Wales (FAW), alongside its counterparts in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

The Principality Stadium will be known as the ‘National Stadium of Wales’ during the tournament for sponsorship reasons.

Meanwhile, Glasgow’s Hampden Park is also included as a host stadium, while Dublin’s Aviva Stadium and a redeveloped Casement Park in Belfast are also in.

The bid, which was supported by both the UK Government and the Welsh Government, was chosen unopposed after Turkey dropped its interest in hosting the event.

Turkey will instead co-host EURO 2032 with Italy.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “Securing EURO 2028 is another milestone for Welsh sport and I’m confident the UK and Ireland will host the best UEFA EURO ever.”

Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney MS Dawn Bowden, who is the Welsh Government’s deputy minister for sport, said: “The 2028 UEFA European Championships will be a spectacular and sustainable football festival – for the players, for the fans and the entire UEFA Family.

“The economic benefits of hosting such a high-profile event will be significant – and will also provide us with an excellent platform upon which to raise Wales’ profile on the world stage aligning us with a genuine global brand.”

Welsh Secretary David TC Davies said Cardiff and Wales “will benefit from the spotlight and visitor numbers that come with hosting a truly major event”.