Nailed-on
Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Currently controlled by the IRFU and the FAI via the Lansdowne Road Stadium Development Company (LRSDC), a joint venture with a 60-year lease on the stadium that on expiry will return exclusive ownership to the IRFU, the D4 setting was denied the chance to host Euro 2020 matches due to the Irish Government’s covid restrictions.
Capacity: 51,700
Croke Park, Dublin
The proposed final venue for the IRFU’s failed World Cup 2023 bid. The Dineen/Hill 16 terrace required temporary seating when the Republic of Ireland played there between 2007 and 2009, during to the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road, which reduced capacity by over 5,000.
Capacity: 76,000
Wembley Stadium
“It makes sense that Wembley would be the firm favourite for finals, whether that is semi-finals as well,” said Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell. “England obviously will have more stadiums, they are a bigger country, that makes sense.”
Capacity: 87,000
Hampden Park, Glasgow
Hosted four matches at Euro 2020, two of which Scotland lost, with the ground etched into modern soccer history by Zinedine Zidane’s match winning volley for Real Madrid in the 2002 Champions League final.
Capacity: 51,866
Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Formerly the Millennium Stadium, overshadowing the old Cardiff Arms Park, in 2020 it became a field hospital to help the NHS cope with hospital overflows caused by the pandemic. The closed roof creates one the best atmosphere in world sport.
Capacity: 73,931
The contenders
Casement Park, Belfast
Named after Sir Roger Casement, the Dublin born British diplomat who was hanged for high treason after his involvement in the Easter Rising, the GAA ground has been derelict since 2013. Bizarrely, the IRFU included Casement in its failed bid to host the 2023 World Cup along with semi-finals at the partly-terraced Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
Capacity: 34,578*
Old Trafford, Manchester
Capacity: 74,140
City of Manchester Stadium
Capacity: 53,000
Anfield, Liverpool
Capacity: 53,394
St James' Park, Newcastle
Capacity: 52,305
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London
Capacity: 62,850
London Stadium
Capacity: 66,000
Emirates Stadium, London
Capacity: 60,260
