UK's joint bid submitted for FIFA Women's World Cup 2035

The FA, Irish FA, Scottish FA and FA of Wales have officially submitted their joint bid for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2035.

The tournament would be the largest single-sport event ever staged in the UK, and the first FIFA World Cup hosted in the country since 1966.

The bid includes 22 proposed stadiums – 16 in England, three in Wales, two in Scotland and one in Northern Ireland – across 16 host cities. With 63 million people living within two hours of a proposed venue, it would be the most accessible tournament ever.

The tournament promises to be a celebration across every part of our nations – an event that brings communities together and welcomes the world. With 4.5 million ticket sales and a projected global TV audience of 3.5 billion, the tournament would captivate fans at home and globally.

The bid is built on the powerful vision of 'All Together' – a rallying cry for women’s football and sport more broadly to empower worldwide.

Joint statement from the CEOs of The FA, Irish FA, Scottish FA and FA of Wales:

“Hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup would be a huge privilege for our four home nations. If we are successful, the 2035 tournament will be the biggest single-sport event held on UK soil with 4.5 million tickets available for fans.

“We are proud of the growth that we’ve driven in recent years across the women’s and girls’ game, but there is still so much more growth to come, and this event will play a key role in helping us deliver that. Working together with FIFA, a Women’s World Cup in the UK has the power to turbo charge the women’s and girls’ game both in the UK and globally. Our bid also demonstrates our commitment to leaving a lasting legacy, in the run up to 2035, and the years afterwards.

“Together, we want to welcome the world to the UK to celebrate and enjoy an unforgettable tournament.”

Statement from the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer:

“Our bid to host the 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup shows the UK’s passion for football.

“The Lionesses’ success has inspired girls across our country, and we’ll build on that momentum by welcoming millions of football fans from around the world to a tournament that will benefit communities and businesses in host cities up and down the UK.

“With significant investment in school sport and grassroots facilities through our Plan for Change, we’re creating opportunities for girls to play for their national team.”

The 22 proposed stadiums offer a blend of heritage, cutting-edge innovation and elite operational excellence that will be ready to deliver exceptional FIFA-compliant facilities. The 16 host cities provide a network of extensive infrastructure, ample accommodation, efficient transportation and culture.

The tournament would involve 104 matches contested by 48 teams over 39 days, with 48 team base camp training sites, 82 venue-specific training sites and 32 FIFA Fan Festival Sites proposed.

Passionate fans, strong media reach and innovative digital engagement not only ensure that this would be a successful tournament, but also provide a transformational commercial opportunity for global growth and reinvestment in the women’s game for the benefit of the wider FIFA family.

The four nations are committed to leaving a lasting legacy that will be delivered via three key pillars:

• Participation: Increase access locally and worldwide, focusing on under-represented communities;
• Leadership: Empower women in leadership; double female officials by 2035; and deliver global mentoring and education programmes;
• Commercial growth: Transform the game’s commercial potential; attract new fans and partners; and reinvest revenues into grassroots and elite pathways.

Host Cities and Stadiums

• Belfast – Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park
• Birmingham – Sports Quarter Stadium1 and Villa Park
• Brighton & Hove – American Express Stadium
• Bristol – Ashton Gate
• Cardiff – Cardiff City Stadium and Principality Stadium
• Edinburgh – Easter Road
• Glasgow – Hampden Park
• Leeds – Elland Road
• Liverpool – Hill Dickinson Stadium
• London – Chelsea FC Stadium2, Emirates Stadium, Selhurst Park, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Wembley Stadium connected by EE
• Manchester – Etihad Stadium
• Newcastle – St James’ Park
• Nottingham – City Ground
• Sunderland – Stadium of Light
• Trafford – Old Trafford3
• Wrexham – STōK Racecourse4

1. Sports Quarter Stadium, recently publicly revealed as the Powerhouse Stadium, is a new stadium development with a proposed capacity of 62,000, forming part of a significant urban development in Birmingham.

2. Chelsea FC is currently consulting on a range of options for their new home. The current Stamford Bridge stadium does not meet FIFA’s technical specifications therefore the outcome of their consultation process will determine whether a new or redeveloped stadium can be included in FIFA’s final stadium selection.

3. The bid submission includes Old Trafford in its current form. This approach has been taken because the proposed new stadium does not currently have sufficient information for FIFA assessment and therefore cannot be evaluated as part of the bid process. The planned redevelopment has been referenced within the bid, and while Old Trafford will be submitted as it currently stands, the intention is for the new stadium to be considered for FIFA’s consideration once plans are confirmed.

4. Wrexham AFC’s stadium is currently undergoing redevelopment to reach an increased capacity of 18,000 fans. They are planning to further increase this capacity before 2035, which would then meet FIFA technical requirements.

N.B. Villa Park, the American Express Stadium, and Etihad Stadium are currently being redeveloped, while Elland Road, Selhurst Park, The City Ground, and the Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park have redevelopment plans that are moving forward prior to 2035.

(Hero image taken at Chadderton FC)