The home grounds of Crystal Palace, Birmingham City, and Wrexham are set to stage matches for the 2035 FIFA Women's World Cup, as part of a historic joint bid from the football associations of England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland.
A Diverse Array of Host Venues
Organisers have proposed a total of 22 stadiums across the four nations to host the 48-team tournament. Alongside the iconic Wembley Stadium, the list includes the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Hampden Park in Glasgow, and Windsor Park in Belfast.
The selection also features several club grounds that are less familiar with international football. Selhurst Park, which hasn't hosted an international match since the Lionesses lost a World Cup qualifier to France in 2002, is a notable inclusion. The Crystal Palace home is slated for an upgrade, with a new main stand set to increase its capacity from 25,000 to 34,000 spectators.
Other prominent club venues on the list include Old Trafford (Manchester United) and Stamford Bridge (Chelsea), though both clubs have planned stadium redevelopments that would require final approval from FIFA.
Unprecedented Accessibility and Economic Impact
The proposed venues are spread across the UK and Ireland to maximise accessibility. Bid organisers claim that an impressive 63 million people live within a two-hour journey of one of the stadiums, which they say would make the 2035 event "the most accessible tournament ever."
If the bid is successful, the tournament will be a monumental event for the region. The football associations stated, "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."
This event follows the UK and Ireland's hosting of Euro 2028, marking a significant period for major football tournaments in the region.
Building on a Growing Legacy
Prime Minister Keir Starmer endorsed the bid, highlighting its potential to inspire future generations. He said, "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."
The joint bid was the only proposal submitted to FIFA and is expected to be officially ratified next year. The football associations believe the tournament will be a catalyst for further growth in the women's and girls' game, building on the recent surge in popularity and participation.
The full list of proposed stadiums includes:
- Selhurst Park (London)
- Birmingham City's planned new stadium
- Racecourse Ground (Wrexham)
- Ashton Gate (Bristol)
- St James' Park (Newcastle)
- Elland Road (Leeds)
- American Express Stadium (Brighton)
- City Ground (Nottingham)
- Hill Dickinson Stadium (Liverpool)
- Easter Road (Edinburgh)
