Leaders from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Liverpool City Council have backed the UK and Ireland’s bid to host UEFA EURO 2028.
The City of Liverpool and Everton Stadium were today formally announced as part of the joint bid to bring an full international men’s tournament to the UK for the first time since 1996. The pioneering five-association collaboration brings together England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales to host the four-yearly tournament.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “Few places can claim to have made a bigger impact on English - and European - football than the Liverpool City Region. Quite simply, nowhere is more qualified or experienced to host one of Europe’s biggest sporting spectacles.
“As our area gears up to welcome hundreds of thousands of people for the Grand National Festival, the Eurovision Song Contest and The Open Championship over the next few months, we’ve already proven that we have the capability, creativity and culture to put on unforgettable shows for visitors from around the world. I believe we’re already the UK’s cultural capital but, once complete, the new stadium at Bramley Moore will be another feather in our cap.
“The new ground is just a stone’s throw from the city centre, has accessible transport links to hospitality and leisure facilities across the region, and will be the perfect venue for football fans to soak in the unique culture that our area is famous for. I’ve got everything crossed that the UK and Ireland’s bid comes out top!”
The tournament will shine a light on Liverpool and the wider City Region’s vibrant and welcoming culture, inviting fans to enjoy iconic destinations and landmarks.
The ambition is to create new opportunities to play football by 2030 across all ages, genders and abilities and make football more accessible, fan and family friendly, and inclusive.
Being a host city will also provide Liverpool with longer-term benefits through tourism promotion, social enterprise and other business and training opportunities that will equip people with skills for life.
Interim Chief Executive of Liverpool City Council, Theresa Grant, added: “It is fantastic news that the City of Liverpool and the new Everton Stadium is part of the UK and Ireland’s bid to host UEFA EURO 2028.
“Our city has football in its DNA and we are used to giving a massive welcome to football fans from across Europe and beyond.
“From European Capital of Culture to Eurovision, Liverpool has an unrivalled track record in delivering diverse and inclusive festivals.
“UEFA EURO 2028 in Liverpool would be much more than games taking place on the pitch as we will develop a programme that will involve the whole city and wider Liverpool City Region.”
