UK and Ireland Win Euro 2028 Bid with Accessibility and Affordability Pledge

 UK and Ireland Win Euro 2028 Bid with Accessibility and Affordability Pledge

Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak meets with Gareth Southgate, Manager of England men's senior team, and Harry Kane of England to mark the announcement of Britain and Ireland winning the rights to host UEFA Euro 2028 at St George's Park on October 10, 2023 in Burton upon Trent, England. (Image-Getty)

Leaders of the bid for Euro 2028 have made a commitment to ensure that the tournament will be accessible and affordable after UEFA officially granted hosting rights to the United Kingdom and Ireland. The bid, which consisted of five nations, was formally approved on Tuesday, having become the sole contender following Turkey's withdrawal from the race.

Prominent politicians, including British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, celebrated the announcement, highlighting that the tournament is expected to generate approximately £2.6 billion in economic benefits for the host nations, as indicated by analysts. Mark Bullingham, the Chief Executive of the Football Association (FA), emphasized the importance of making the tournament accessible to as many people as possible from the five participating countries.

The bid proposal featured ten venues located in nine cities, which were submitted to UEFA in April. These venues included Wembley Stadium, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Etihad Stadium, Villa Park, Bramley-Moore Dock, St James' Park, Hampden Park, Aviva Stadium, a redeveloped Casement Park, and Principality Stadium. Alongside these stadiums, fan zones and training facilities in various locations were included to ensure that everyone, regardless of their location or financial means, could be part of the excitement.

Mark Bullingham expressed the importance of ensuring that no one feels excluded from the event, highlighting that the selected stadiums are strategically spread throughout the entire country to bring the tournament experience within reach for all. Additionally, Bullingham confirmed that all five nations would participate in the qualification process, with UEFA reserving two "safety net" places for countries that may not qualify.

To maintain affordability, tickets for Euro 2028 are set to start at 30 euros (£26), reflecting the organizers' commitment to engaging the entire nation and allowing everyone to be a part of the Euros. Noel Mooney, Chief Executive of the Football Association of Wales, described hosting a major championship in the country as "pure gold" and proposed that Cardiff's Principality Stadium should host the opening match, pending UEFA approval. He also mentioned the possibility of hosting a quarter-final.

Mooney emphasized the FA's role in growing and promoting the game, particularly among youth, and expressed excitement about bringing a major championship to the country for the first time. As it currently stands, Wembley Stadium is slated to host the semi-finals and final.

Mark Bullingham pointed out that the decision to award Euro 2028 to the UK and Ireland affirmed their choice to withdraw from the bid for the 2030 World Cup. Originally, the five nations had explored the possibility of hosting the 2030 finals but decided to shift their focus in February 2022 due to uncertainties surrounding that bid. FIFA recently approved a proposal for a three-continent, six-nation hosting of the 2030 World Cup, which potentially paves the way for Saudi Arabia to host the tournament in 2034.

When asked about their decision, Bullingham reiterated their confidence in opting for Euro 2028, emphasizing that they believed it was a tournament they had a strong chance of winning, as opposed to the 2030 World Cup, which presented more challenges. He expressed their delight in securing Euro 2028 and the positive impact it would have on the nation's facilities, economy, fans, and overall morale.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who had been present at England's training base at St George's Park during the announcement, welcomed UEFA's decision, drawing parallels to the success of Euro 96 in his childhood. He expressed the belief that hosting tournaments was an area where the UK excelled and anticipated that Euro 2028 would be a significant boost to the economy while inspiring a new generation of sports enthusiasts.