In a surprising blow for football fans, Liverpool's iconic Anfield stadium has been officially ruled out as a host venue for the UEFA Euro 2028 tournament, which will be staged across England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. The omission is due to a little-known but strictly enforced European football regulation concerning pitch dimensions.
The Rule That Ruled Anfield Out
The core of the issue lies with UEFA's official regulations, which state unequivocally that the field of play must measure 105 metres by 68 metres. Anfield's hallowed turf falls short of this standard, specifically by four metres in length. Despite recent extensive renovations to the Anfield Road End, the ground is physically penned in by the tight confines of the Anfield Road and the Kop stand, making any future extension to the playing surface impossible.
The Chosen Stadiums and the Opening Ceremony
While Anfield misses out, the list of selected English club grounds is impressive. It includes Everton's newly built Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool, Aston Villa's Villa Park, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in north London, Newcastle's St James' Park, and Manchester City's Etihad Stadium.
For the tournament's marquee events, Cardiff's Principality Stadium will have the honour of hosting the tournament opener. Meanwhile, London's Wembley Stadium will provide the backdrop for the semi-finals and the final, which is scheduled for a new kick-off time of 5pm in three-and-a-half years' time.
Other Historic Grounds Missing Out
Anfield is not alone in its exclusion. Chelsea's Stamford Bridge suffers a similar fate, with its pitch measuring a comparatively tiny 103m by 67m. It has never hosted a major tournament fixture.
Perhaps more notably, Manchester United's Old Trafford was also omitted. The club confirmed during the bidding process that they were unable to provide the necessary certainty around the stadium's availability due to potential redevelopment, leading to a mutual agreement to withdraw from the shortlist.
This will be the first major tournament missed by Anfield since Euro 1996, where it hosted Group C fixtures and a memorable quarter-final between France and the Netherlands.
