“It is tremendous news that the UK & Ireland have won the right to jointly host Euro 2028, with Birmingham – and the wider West Midlands – set to play an important role by welcoming games at one of European football’s most iconic stadiums, Villa Park.

“Football is a huge draw for inbound tourism in the UK, and extremely valuable to the economy, with more money spent by international football fans than the average overseas visitor to the UK.

“We have shown in the West Midlands – thanks to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and other major sporting fixtures such as The Ashes – that we love hosting world-class sporting events, and always put on a great show for visitors.

“Anyone who remembers or attended matches at Villa Park at Euro 96 will know that we are set for an exciting summer of football in 2028.”