Why Anfield is not hosting Euro 2028 games as UEFA rule bans Liverpool stadium

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Echo or go back to LFC Live.

Liverpool Echo IconSportFootballLiverpool FCEngland will co-host Euro 2028 alongside Wales, Scotland and Ireland, but Liverpool's famous Anfield Stadium has not been named as a venueThe nine stadiums for Euro 2028 have now had their matches selected, with Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium set to stage five games, including a potential England one.However, Liverpool’s Anfield was a notable absentee from the list when the stadiums were first picked for the tournament, which is being co-hosted by England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.It was confirmed back in October 2023 that the UK and Ireland had won their bid to stage Euro 2028, and now further details have been announced, with the tournament set to begin in Cardiff on June 9. The final will take place at Wembley a month later on July 9.When England previously hosted the World Cup in 1966 and the Euros in 1996, the Three Lions played all their home games at Wembley.

This time, things will be slightly different, as they could end up playing matches in Manchester and Newcastle.READ MORE: Liverpool step onto fascinating transfer merry-go-round as wildcard options emergesREAD MORE: Real Madrid 'might be interested' in Liverpool transfer for Dominik SzoboszlaiAmong the venues confirmed for the tournament are Wembley, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium, Villa Park, Newcastle’s St James’ Park and Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium.Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, Hampden Park in Glasgow and the Principality Stadium in Cardiff complete the list.While Liverpool will be a host city, the club’s iconic Anfield Stadium was never included in the list submitted to UEFA.That may come as a slight surprise given the ground has undergone significant redevelopment in recent years, increasing its capacity to over 61,000.The reason for its omission is the same one that has prevented it from hosting Champions League or Europa League finals in the past - the size of the pitch.UEFA’s guidelines clearly state that “the field of play must have the standard dimensions of 105m by 68m.” The length of the pitch at Anfield is only 101 metres, which makes it ineligible as a venue.Anfield was last used for a major tournament when England hosted Euro 1996, staging Group C matches involving Italy, Russia and the Czech Republic, as well as a quarter-final between France and the Netherlands.However, it will not be involved in Euro 2028. Instead, Everton’s 52,769-capacity Hill Dickinson Stadium will represent Merseyside on the European stage.