First Minister Mark Drakeford welcomes decision for EURO 2028 to be hosted in UK and Ireland
In a ceremony in Switzerland yesterday (10th October), UEFA announced that the UK and Ireland's bid to host the 2028 UEFA European Championships has been successful.
Wales has previously hosted major sporting events, including the UEFA Champions League Final in 2017, boxing, the London 2012 Olympics and the Rugby World Cup final.
EURO 2028 will be the first time that matches in the finals of a major senior men's international football tournament are played in the country.
First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford, welcomed the announcement, saying:
"Wales has built a strong global reputation for successfully hosting major sporting events, while reaching the finals of three major men's football tournaments since 2016.
"Football is at the heart of our sporting ambitions – whether that's hosting the Champions League Final in 2017 or proudly sending Wales to its first FIFA World Cup finals for more than 60 years. We're also providing unprecedented support for the women's game and investing in grassroots and youth football across Wales.
"(It) is the next exciting opportunity for us to showcase what Wales has to offer. We have a strong track record of working in partnership with key partners, including Cardiff Council and the stadium, to host the events, which fans from all over Wales can enjoy.
"Securing EURO 2028 is another milestone for Welsh sport and I'm confident the UK and Ireland will host the best UEFA EURO ever."
Gareth Bale and youth ambassadors after receiving the EURO 2028 pennant from UEFA President, Aleksander Čeferin - Credit: FAW
The Principality Stadium will become known as the National Stadium of Wales for the purposes of EURO 2028, and is likely to host the opening game of the tournament.
Nigel Walker, Interim WRU Group CEO, explained:
"We look forward with immense excitement to playing our part to deliver an excellent UEFA EUROS 2028, working alongside our partners at Welsh Government, Cardiff Council, the Football Association of Wales along with the rest of the UK and Ireland.
"We already know the hugely positive impact hosting major sporting events at the stadium has on Cardiff and the surrounding region. UEFA EURO 2028 will be no different, and we will be ready to welcome football fans from all corners of the world for one of the biggest sporting spectacles in the world."
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