Euro 2028: Hampden part of UK & Ireland bid to be approved by UEFA next week

The UK and Republic of Ireland are now unopposed in their bid to host Euro 2028 after Turkey withdrew from the process. Turkey was initially one of the nation’s interested in hosting the tournament but they have now diverted their attention towards Euro 2032 where they are planning to submit a joint bid for the tournament alongside Italy.

The successful bid is expected to be confirmed by UEFA next week.

Hampden Park is on the list of ten stadiums that will host matches during the tournament and the national stadium will be due an upgrade in years to come, according to Scottish FA’s chief executive Ian Maxwell.

The 10 stadiums that would host Euro 2028 in the UK and Ireland are:

• Wembley Stadium (London) (capacity 90,652)
• Principality Stadium (Cardiff) (73,952)
• Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (London) (62,322)
• Etihad Stadium (Manchester) (61,000)
• Everton Stadium (Liverpool) (52,679)
• St James’ Park (Newcastle) (52,305)
• Villa Park (Birmingham) (52,190)
• Hampden Park (Glasgow) (52,032)
• Aviva Stadium (Dublin) (51,711)
• Casement Park (Belfast) (34,500)

Hampden named the only Scottish venue

Hampden Park will be the only venue used for games in Scotland should the bid be successful and confirmed improvements will be made for the championships by the time the event comes around.

Maxwell said: “We’re always looking to improve the stadium. That happens alongside Euro 2028. As the stadium owner now, we have to make sure the supporter experience is as good as it can be. There will be some additions and improvements that are made as part of the Euro 28’ bid and hopefully when we’re successful, we can work out what those will look like.

“We bring certainty. We bring a track record. The stadiums and countries that are included in the bid have a track record of hosting world-class sporting events. A number of them have been in football. We’ve got easy transport links. Whilst it’s five nations, we are close geographically and that means it’s accessible for supporters. That track record will be important when UEFA are assessing the bids.”