The Euro-2028 football tournament awarded on Tuesday to the United Kingdom and Ireland will be an “incredible” tournament thanks to the “emblematic stadiums” chosen for the matches, filled with “the best supporters in the world”, rejoiced the British Sports Minister, Lucy Frazer.
“Football is an integral part of our way of life and this tournament is an opportunity to create memories that will last a lifetime. I know it will be an incredible tournament because we have iconic stadiums, great organizational experience and the best supporters in the world,” she said in a video broadcast on X (formerly Twitter).
The minister notably mentioned the organization of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London in 2012 and the women’s Euro-2022 football tournament in England. The tournament scheduled for 2028 could bring in up to 3 billion euros in total for the host countries, she says.
Scottish Prime Minister Humza Yousaf, for his part, highlighted the expected “economic benefits” but also the “legacy” that the competition will leave, and which “will contribute to developing a more inclusive and more diverse game throughout the country”.
The European Championship is to be held in six stadiums in England, including Wembley in London, the Etihad in Manchester and St James’ Park in Newcastle, as well as in Belfast (Northern Ireland), Dublin (Republic of Ireland ), Glasgow (Scotland) and Cardiff (Wales).
In a joint press release, the five federations concerned applauded “the largest major sporting event ever organized jointly” and promised “an exciting summer of football” in 2028, driven by a candidacy with a “clear and convincing vision”.
They mention the provision of around three million tickets, “more than any other previous Euro”, with an average capacity of 58,000 seats in the chosen stadiums.