Manchester Evening: Etihad s £300 million renovation of the North Stand will help host England s first game of the 2028 European Cup

Manchester City reported that Manchester City will host England's first game of the 2028 European Cup, with the help of the renovation of the North Stand.

Manchester City's Etihad Stadium will host five matches during Euro 2028, including England's first match if they qualify. This marks that the stadium's ongoing north stand renovation project has achieved remarkable results.

The expanded North Stand is expected to welcome fans for the first time next year, and the capacity of the entire stadium will exceed 60,000. In addition, the transformation includes an expanded fan zone and a soon-to-open hotel, which will enhance the fan experience and make the Etihad Stadium eligible to host the Champions League final.

Although England's remaining games in this European Cup will be played at Wembley Stadium, the Etihad Stadium's ability to obtain such an important match opportunity shows its status in the minds of UEFA and the Football Association. The £300 million renovation project played a key role in improving the standards of the stadium and its facilities.

Manchester City Council leader Bev Craig said: "As a world-famous football city, Manchester is very excited to welcome this event that is loved by millions of fans around the world. Football is deeply rooted in our DNA and we are doing our best to ensure a world-class experience for players, fans and visitors."

She also mentioned that continued investment and the development of the East Manchester area has made it a world-class sports and entertainment center, which is also one of the key factors in Manchester's successful bid to host the 2028 European Cup. It is estimated that hosting the event will bring more than £200 million to the local economy.

Meanwhile, Old Trafford will not host games during Euro 2028 as it does not meet standards and new stadium plans are still in the early stages. This gives Manchester City an advantage over their local rivals.