Arsenal opted against hosting Euro 2028 matches at Emirates Stadium, prioritising club interests over participation in the UK and Ireland’s staging of the tournament.
Instead of featuring in the lineup of host venues, the Emirates will remain available for concerts and other events during the summer, with a potential stadium expansion project also a factor in the decision, although it is expected to be completed by 2028.
The UK and Ireland will jointly host the tournament from June 9 to July 9, 2028, with games set to take place at Wembley Stadium, Hampden Park, Principality Stadium, Aviva Stadium, and a selection of club grounds across England.
Among them are Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Etihad Stadium, St James’ Park, Villa Park, and Everton’s yet-to-be-completed new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.
Wembley is expected to stage the semi-finals and final, having done so in Euro 1996 and Euro 2020.
Despite the prestige of being involved in a UEFA European Championship, Arsenal have made a calculated decision to keep the Emirates off the tournament map.
Hosting a major event of this scale would have required extensive logistical planning, with potential disruptions to club operations. Instead, the club intends to focus on expanding its 60,704-seat stadium to better compete with domestic rivals.
Expanding the Emirates Stadium is not a straightforward process, with approval needed from Islington Council and Transport for London, particularly concerning Holloway Road Underground Station, which would require improvements to handle increased matchday traffic.
By declining to host Euro 2028, Arsenal have given themselves a clear runway to focus on these structural upgrades without the constraints of an external tournament.
In an interview last summer, Arsenal co-chairman Josh Kroenke acknowledged the complexities of stadium expansion but confirmed discussions were ongoing.
“The internal conversations are starting to occur,” Kroenke said. “It is not an easy renovation, but we see the possibilities of what is there.”
Meanwhile, qualification for Euro 2028 remains a point of debate, with UEFA yet to confirm how they can guarantee all all five host nations – England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland – will definitely make the tournament.
Hosts normally get an automatic place, but that only applies to a maximum of two nations. It has been suggested that all four countries could enter qualifying with two spots reserved for any host nation that don’t make it (looking at you, Northern Ireland).
A new qualification system will feature 12 groups of four or five teams, with group winners qualifying automatically and runners-up either securing direct entry or competing in playoffs.
