The iconic Anfield stadium has been officially excluded from hosting matches in the upcoming UEFA Euro 2028 tournament, dealing a significant blow to Liverpool's hopes of being a central host city. The decision stems from a specific UEFA regulation concerning pitch dimensions that the historic ground cannot meet.
The Official Euro 2028 Venues
The full list of host stadia for the tournament, which will be co-hosted by England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, was recently confirmed. The event is scheduled to kick off in Cardiff on June 9, 2028, and will conclude with the final at Wembley Stadium on July 9, 2028.
The nine selected venues include:
- Wembley Stadium (London)
- Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (London)
- Aviva Stadium (Dublin)
- Hampden Park (Glasgow)
- Principality Stadium (Cardiff)
- Etihad Stadium (Manchester)
- Villa Park (Birmingham)
- St James' Park (Newcastle)
- Everton's new Hill Dickinson Stadium (Liverpool)
This selection means the England national team could play matches in Manchester, Newcastle, or at Everton's new ground, depending on their progression, rather than being based solely at Wembley as in past tournaments.
Why Anfield Failed to Make the Cut
Despite Liverpool being a host city, Anfield's notable absence from the list submitted by the Football Association to UEFA was not a matter of preference. The primary reason is a long-standing UEFA regulation that mandates all pitches used in its competitions must measure 105 metres by 68 metres.
Anfield's playing surface falls short of this standard, with a length of only 101 metres. This same issue has previously prevented the stadium from hosting major European club finals. The recent redevelopment of the ground, which increased its capacity to over 61,000, was not enough to overcome this fundamental regulatory hurdle.
A Look Back and Moving Forward
Anfield has a history with major international tournaments, having hosted group stage matches and a quarter-final during the Euro 1996 tournament held in England. However, for Euro 2028, the stadium will be left on the sidelines.
This ruling highlights the strict operational standards imposed by UEFA for its flagship events, where even the most storied and modernised venues can be disqualified on technical grounds. While the city of Liverpool will still be represented by Everton's new Hill Dickinson Stadium, the exclusion of Anfield marks a significant moment, underscoring the clash between footballing heritage and contemporary regulatory demands.
