Planning for the city of Liverpool’s role in hosting the Euro 2028 football tournament could begin as soon as this summer.
It was confirmed back in October that Everton FC’s new home at Bramley Moore Dock – currently known as Everton Stadium – will host matches at a major international tournament for the first time in 62 years with the UK and the Republic of Ireland officially being announced as hosts of the 2028 European Championships.
The club’s new ground, scheduled for completion later this year, will be one of 10 stadiums to host games when the tournament rolls around in four years’ time, while Anfield misses out.
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New documents released by Liverpool Council have confirmed the city is not wasting any time in getting ready for its moment on the world footballing stage.
When the successful bid was confirmed last autumn, the city’s political leaders expressed their delight at the 52,888 seater stadium being included and the potential impact it could have for Liverpool.
Cllr Liam Robinson, leader of Liverpool Council, said hosting matches in the city would be “much more than games taking place on the pitch” and was keen to develop a “programme that will involve the whole city and wider Liverpool City Region that will give fans and visitors something truly memorable to celebrate.”
In an update delivered to the culture and economy scrutiny committee to be discussed next week, city officials have said work could start as soon as this summer. A report on Culture Liverpool’s plans for 2024 and major events strategy for the Liverpool City Region said: “The team successfully bid for EURO 2028 and the city was announced as one of the nine host cities for the event.
“Initial planning work will begin post EURO 2024.”
The 24-team tournament, to be held in Germany, gets underway in June with the final to be played on July 24.
The UK and Ireland’s bid had run unopposed after rivals Turkey withdrew to launch a joint bid with Italy for the following finals in 2032 with no opposition for that tournament. Everton last hosted a tournament fixture during the 1966 World Cup when footballing greats Eusebio and Pele graced the Goodison Park pitch.
The report detailed how in 2023, Culture Liverpool delivered 10 major events including the Eurovision Song Contest and River of Light. The latter brought in 140,000 attendees, with an economic impact of £6.5 million to the city over its nine day period.
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