Liverpool fans hoping to see Euro 2028 action at Anfield are in for a surprise — the iconic stadium has been ruled out of hosting duties, even though the city itself will play a major role in the tournament.
UEFA has finalized nine venues across the UK and Ireland, featuring legendary grounds like Wembley, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium, which will take on the honor of hosting five matches.
So, what went wrong for Anfield? 🤔
Despite its impressive redevelopment and expanded capacity of over 61,000 seats, the stadium fell short of UEFA’s strict pitch-size regulations. While the organization requires every Euro 2028 venue to have a playing surface measuring 105m by 68m, Anfield’s pitch comes up just a bit short — at 101 meters in length.
This seemingly minor difference has had major consequences, as the same issue has previously barred Anfield from hosting European finals like the Champions League or Europa League.
The stadium last featured in a major international tournament back in Euro ’96, when it proudly hosted both group matches and a quarter-final.
For Euro 2028, it’s Everton’s brand-new 52,769-seater Hill Dickinson Stadium that will fly the flag for Merseyside. City officials have promised to deliver a tournament atmosphere that celebrates Liverpool’s world-famous football culture and hospitality.
In a statement, Liverpool Mayor Steve Rotheram expressed pride in helping the region play its part in what he described as “the best-ever Euro” — a celebration of unity through sport. ⚽
Leave a Reply