The organizers of the UK and Ireland bid for Euro 2028 are planning to designate Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium as one of the host venues for the proposed competition – but reports say there is no room for Old Trafford, the home of the the club’s crosstown rival. .
A longlist of 14 stadiums chosen to act as tournament venues will be whittled down to just ten this week as bid organizers prepare to officially submit their bid to UEFA next week.
Six of those stadiums are in England, with Wembley earmarked for the final after hosting the same match in the summer of 2021.
From The timesThe organizers’ decision to choose the Etihad over the United ground is believed to be due in part to its modernity, as well as plans to convert its capacity from 53,400 spectators to 60,000.
Steps were reported to extend the North Stand of the stadium Sports mail late December last year.
The Etihad will receive a seat expansion to increase capacity to 60,000 before 2028
Old Trafford is in need of renovation and uncertainty about the future has kept it off the list
Despite Old Trafford’s larger capacity as a 74,310-seater stadium, renovations to the storied ground are long overdue.
It was reported last month that United are considering a range of options to upgrade their stadium, including complete renovation and even demolition.
But the decision on Old Trafford’s future will likely be determined by whether the club’s current owner decides to sell or make a new investment.
United released a statement confirming they were ‘unable to provide the necessary assurance’ required to be included in the offer.
It read: ‘Manchester United were delighted to advance Old Trafford as a potential host of UEFA Euro 2028 matches and proud of the strong case we have made.
“However, during follow-up discussions with the FA, it became clear that we were unable to provide the necessary assurance on the availability of Old Trafford due to potential redevelopment of the stadium. As a result, we have mutually agreed to withdraw from the shortlist of potential landlords.
“We are committed to preserving Old Trafford’s status as the largest and most iconic club football ground in England and look forward to future opportunities to host international matches and major events at the Theater of Dreams.
“Everyone at Manchester United wishes the FA every success in organizing the tournament in 2028.”
Other venues eligible to be included include Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, St James’ Park and Villa Park in England, as well as Casement Park in Belfast, Principality Stadium, Hampden Park and Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
Everton’s new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock, which is half way through construction, will be considered, while London Stadium and Sunderland’s Stadium of Light will be added to the reserve list.
However, should the bid be successful, UEFA will have the final decision on which stadiums will be used during the tournament.
For example, if the Tottenham stadium signs a naming deal, it could be swapped for West Ham’s ground, due to UEFA’s ruling on the use of unbranded stadiums.
In the vote on the bid, the British and Irish bids go hand in hand with a bid from Turkey.
Should the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium remain unbranded, it could be chosen as the venue
Everton’s new stadium on Bramley Moore Deck will hold 52,888 fans
Mark Bullingham, the FA’s chief executive, has said that as the vote draws closer, discussions are still underway with police forces about escorts for team coaches, which UEFA is keen to guarantee.
Police escorts would provide correct showtimes, but due to the variety of different police forces involved in managing these escorts, it was difficult for the FA to ensure them.
Bullingham said: ‘We’re going to make a very strong offer – I don’t think there are any major gaps anywhere.
“There is still an ongoing dialogue about the police escorts. We think we have a solution. We’ll have to discuss that with UEFA and see if they’re happy with how far we can go.’