KEIR RADNEDGE REPORTING —- The UK and Ireland has formally submitted its detailed bid to host the European Championship finals in 2028.

European federation UEFA had reportedly been concerned about a delay in confirming police escorts to ensure all teams travel to matches in timely fashion but these are understood have been resolved after negotiation with the various regional forces.

UEFA has also been reassured that there will be no repeat of the sloppy security which allowed such mayhem at the final of the last European tournament at Wembley in 2021. In fact Wembley has already been selected to stage next season’s Champions League Final.

Germany will host next year’s finals while Turkey has also bid for 2028 but is also considered more seriously as a challenger to a bid from Italy for 2032.

The UK and Ireland bid has proposed 10 host cities and stadia, all needed a minimum of a 30,000 capacity.

These include Everton’s yet-to-be-built new home as well as Manchester City’s Etihad rather than neighbours United’s Old Trafford. The choice in Northern Ireland is Belfast’s Casement Park, the city’s principal Gaelic games venue.

The omission of Old Trafford is likely to enhance criticism of the Glazer family for not investing in long-needed redevelopment.

The 10 (with capacities) are:

1,    London              Wembley (90,652)

2,     Cardiff             National Stadium of Wales [Principality] (73,952)

3,     London              Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (62,322)

4,     Manchester          City of Manchester Stadium [Etihad] (61,000)

5,     Liverpool           Everton Stadium (52,679)

6,     Newcastle           St James’ Park (52,305)

7,     Birmingham          Villa Park (52,190)

8,     Glasgow             Hampden Park (52,032)

9,     Dublin              Dublin Arena [Aviva] (51,711)

10    Belfast             Casement Park (34,500)

A joint confirmatory statement from the FAs of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland said:

High-capacity, world-famous football grounds and state-of-the-art new venues will provide the platform for the biggest and most commercially successful UEFA EURO ever, making us a low risk, high reward host:

–Almost three million tournament tickets available – more than any previous UEFA Euro;

–Average stadia capacity of 58,000 so more fans than ever before will attend matches;

–Matches hosted around our nations and regions to reach as many communities as possible.

Our bid also places sustainability and good governance practice as top priorities:

–Compact and connected transport plan – more than 80% of ticket holders able to travel to matches by public transport;

–Proposed match schedule to reduce emissions;

–Adhering to UEFA’s major event human rights principles to ensure an inclusive, discrimination-free and equal work environment for colleagues and volunteers.

The UK and Ireland share a proud reputation as world-leading event destinations which have successfully staged some of the biggest global sporting tournaments – backed by strong government support. This includes the recent record-breaking UEFA Women’s EURO 2022.

Our vision – ‘Football for all, Football for good. Football for the future’ – is a promise to help our Associations and UEFA grow a more diverse and inclusive game as well as connect with new audiences and the next generation of fans and volunteers.

We predict UEFA EURO 2028 will generate cumulative socio-economic benefits of up to £2.6 billion (€3 billion) for our nations:

–Bid Partners have already invested or committed more than £500 million (€567 million) between 2019 and 2025 to improve and upgrade grassroots facilities – with the aim of expanding investment programmes as UEFA EURO 2028 approaches;

–A further £45 million (€51 million) legacy fund will be invested to develop football and create additional legacies;

–The tournament will help create positive long-term community impact through volunteering, tourism and other training opportunities that provide people with skills for life.

We look forward to continuing our engagement with UEFA and listening and learning from the European football family to enhance our bid plans.

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