Everton FC has extra motivation to ensure it completes its new stadium on time, with the ground and the City of Liverpool confirmed as part of the UK and Ireland’s bid to host UEFA EURO 2028.
The waterfront stadium was chosen as the City of Liverpool’s preferred venue in November 2022 and was included among 10 proposed host stadia when the UK and Ireland’s bid was formally submitted to UEFA today (Wednesday April 12).
UEFA and the FA made the official announcement of the full bid at 1pm, and other stadia across the North to feature include the City of Manchester Stadium (aka The Etihad, Manchester) and St James’ Park (Newcastle).
The three Northern temples of football are joined on the list by Villa Park (Birmingham), National Stadium of Wales (Cardiff), Hampden Park (Glasgow), Dublin Arena (Dublin), Casement Park (Belfast), Wembley and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (both London).
Manchester United’s Old Trafford Ground had initially been mooted as a competitor for the city’s stadium slot, however the club withdrew from the bidding last week over uncertaintly around the stadium’s planned redevelopment.
The club said in a statement: “Manchester United were pleased to put Old Trafford forward as a potential host of UEFA Euro 2028 matches and proud of the strong case we made.
“However, during follow-up discussions with the FA, it became clear that we were unable to provide the necessary certainty around the availability of Old Trafford due to potential redevelopment of the stadium.”
The inclusion of the Everton Stadium is perhaps the most noteworthy of the Northern venues, since it’s the only one that hasn’t been built yet. The waterfront spot is set to be one of the most inclusive and sustainable stadiums in the country, and with construction due to complete during the 2024/25 season a finished stadium by 2028 should be no more than a formality.
Denise Barrett-Baxendale, chief executive at Everton said: “Through Everton Stadium, Everton Football Club is proud to be representing the City of Liverpool and to be part of the UK and Ireland’s compelling proposal to host UEFA EURO 2028.
“The prestige of being a host city brings many benefits beyond participating in a festival of football. It will allow the club and the local authorities to build on the already transformational impact that Everton Stadium will bring to our city region and to inspire young people from many of our diverse communities.
“In 1966, Goodison Park hosted five matches, including a World Cup semi-final. That tournament is fondly remembered by people across the North West and it introduced the region to new cultures and outlooks. I am sure if the UK and Ireland’s bid is successful then UEFA EURO 2028 will create new memories and another legacy that will last a generation.”
Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, part of the England team that reached the final of UEFA Euro 2020, took part in a photoshoot at the site of Everton Stadium as part of the bid submission.
He said: “Having proudly represented my country at major tournaments, I’ve seen the pride and impact being a host venue has on the clubs and people in those areas.
“If this bid is successful then the people of Liverpool will have the opportunity to be a part of something truly special and to show off what a fantastic and welcoming city it is.
“They will get to see some of best players across Europe and the city will become a temporary home to nations that will no doubt bring their own culture, noise and colour to Everton Stadium.”
The joint bid – a five-association collaboration that brings together England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales – sets out a clear and compelling vision for the tournament through the strap line ‘Football for all. Football for good. Football for the future.’
The five associations added in a joint statement: “High-capacity, world-famous football grounds and state-of-the-art new venues will provide the platform for the biggest and most commercially successful UEFA EURO ever – making us a low risk, high reward host.”
The final decision on where UEFA EURO 2028 will be hosted will be made by UEFA in the autumn of 2023.
