Anfield’s Euro 2028 Exclusion Explained: Pitch Size Forces UEFA Rule Out
When UEFA announced the host stadiums for Euro 2028, many assumed Liverpool’s Anfield would feature among them. Its history, noise and global prestige make it one of football’s most recognisable venues. Yet, despite its stature, Anfield will not stage a single match during the tournament – and the reason lies beneath the feet of those who play there.
UEFA’s strict stadium regulations
Euro 2028, to be jointly hosted by the UK and Ireland, will feature some of the most celebrated grounds in British football. Wembley will once again take centre stage for the semi-finals and final, while Cardiff’s Principality Stadium has been chosen for the opening fixture. Yet Anfield – a site steeped in European history – was left off UEFA’s approved list, not through lack of atmosphere or modernisation, but due to something far more technical: pitch size.
UEFA requires all tournament venues to feature playing surfaces of exactly 105 metres by 68 metres. That standard ensures uniformity across all matches, supporting broadcast, tactical, and commercial requirements. Anfield, however, falls short of this by approximately four metres in length. The proximity of the stands, particularly the iconic Kop and the newly expanded Anfield Road End, means there’s no viable space to make up the shortfall.
Architectural limits and historical legacy
The stadium’s design, for all its intimacy and intensity, is part of what prevents modification. Over the decades, Anfield has evolved within the confines of its local community, boxed in by roads and houses that leave little room for structural change. The Anfield Road redevelopment has focused on enhancing fan capacity and facilities rather than altering the pitch footprint.
It’s a constraint that carries historical irony. During Euro 1996, Anfield hosted several matches, including a memorable quarter-final between France and the Netherlands. Back then, UEFA’s pitch regulations were less rigid. But in the years since, as football has become increasingly globalised and standardised, governing bodies have prioritised consistency over character.
Other notable omissions from Euro 2028
Liverpool’s ground isn’t alone in missing out. Stamford Bridge also fails to meet UEFA’s pitch dimension standards. Meanwhile, Old Trafford – the largest club ground in England – has been excluded for different reasons, with UEFA citing its outdated facilities and lack of recent renovation.
Instead, England’s selected venues include Villa Park, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, St James’ Park, Etihad Stadium, and Everton’s new ground at the Hill Dickinson. Together with Belfast, Dublin, Glasgow and Cardiff, these arenas will form a cross-nation showcase of British and Irish football.
A proud absence rather than a neglect
For Liverpool supporters, Anfield’s omission is a disappointment, but not a reflection of neglect or administrative oversight. The ground remains one of the most atmospheric and revered in world football, its tight layout part of what makes it so formidable on European nights.
While it won’t host Euro 2028 fixtures, Anfield’s influence will still be felt. The city’s football culture, its role in nurturing players for England’s squad, and the club’s continued European pedigree ensure its spirit will echo through the tournament.
Anfield’s pitch size may have ruled it out on paper, but its soul remains beyond measure.
