Hampden Park included in UK and Ireland bid to host Euro 2028

Hampden Park has been included on a list of venues as part of the UK & Ireland bid to host football’s European Championships in 2028.

The joint bid, involving Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland, hopes to persuade UEFA to award the hosting rights across the five countries. After an initial declaration of interest, a detailed bid document has now been submitted.

The Preliminary Bid Dossier includes a shortlist of 14 stadiums that would meet the requirements to host games. As the only Scottish stadium included on the list, it’s likely that Hampden would be certain of a place on the final list of ten venues that will be submitted to UEFA next year.

The national stadium in Glasgow is used for national team games and major domestic games but was also one of the venues for Euro 2020, when games were played across Europe instead of within one country or region.

Hampden played host to three group games and one knock-out match as the Scotland men’s team made a return to a major finals after a 23-year absence.

The organising committee for the Euro 2028 bid say they are setting out a “bold and compelling vision” for the finals, under the slogan: “Football for all. Football for good. Football for the future.”

A statement issued by the Scottish FA read: “We are delighted that government partners of the UK, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and officials in Northern Ireland, support this bid. Together, we believe we can deliver a world-class tournament, and that hosting UEFA Euro 2028 will achieve a strong and sustainable legacy for football and wider society, helping to drive economic growth in local communities.

“Working with UEFA, our plan is to host a tournament that will be a catalyst for transformational grassroots football development – with a promise to share legacy initiatives with European National Associations to accelerate growth across the continent.

“The UK and Ireland’s track record of hosting successful major sporting events over many decades means we have the expertise and experience to take this world-class tournament to new heights.

“Our compact plan and pioneering, multi-partner collaboration can usher in a new era for the Euro. Through the latest digital and marketing innovations, we will help UEFA and its partners engage new audiences and the world’s youth to extend the impact and reach of the tournament further than ever before.”

The proposed shortlisted cities and stadia are: