Background
In May 2023, The Football Association announced their intention to bid following the success of their women's team at the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 and the large attendance at Wembley Stadium for the 2022 Women's FA Cup final. This would be England's first time hosting the women's tournament, though they have significant hosting experience including the 1963 UEFA U-18, 1966 FIFA World Cup, 1983 UEFA U-18, 1993 UEFA U-18, UEFA Euro 1996, 2001 UEFA U-16, 2018 UEFA U-17, and several matches of UEFA Euro 2020. [1] A bid alongside Scotland, Wales, Ireland and Northern Ireland similar to their successful UEFA Euro 2028 bid was also proposed. The home nations of the United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales) pushed their bid from 2031 to 2035 following the confirmation of hosting restrictions on 5 March 2025. [2] On 3 April 2025, FIFA declared the United Kingdom bid the sole valid bid for 2035.
England have previously hosted the FIFA World Cup in 1966, Scotland had hosted matches for the UEFA Euro in 2020. England Scotland and Wales will co-host the UEFA Euro in 2028 along with Republic of Ireland.
Proposed venues
In its hosting requirements document, FIFA stipulated that the 32-team competition will have a minimum of eight stadiums—of which at least five were existing venues. The stadiums would have minimum seating capacities of 20,000 for most matches, 40,000 for semifinal matches, and 65,000 for the opening match and final. [3] However, additional changes will be made to accommodate the expansion to 48.
Manchester United have expressed interest in hosting this final [4] in their yet-to-be built 100,000 seater stadium, though reports have indicated the FA prefers Wembley Stadium. Other interested cities currently include Belfast, Birmingham, Brighton and Hove, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Newcastle upon Tyne, Nottingham, Sunderland, and Wrexham. [5] [6] [7]
No venue in Northern Ireland currently meets the minimum capacity requirement, with the largest existing stadium, Windsor Park, having only 18,500 capacity. Plans for the redevelopment of Casement Park into a 34,500 capacity venue for the UEFA Euro 2028 were stalled and resulted in Northern Ireland withdrawing from hosting the tournament. [8] [9]
On 28 November 2025, the formal bid submission proposed 22 venues in 16 cities, including some planned and provisional stadiums. It's not known yet how many venues will be used for the tournament. The bid submission also highlights that 63 million people live within two hours of any proposed venue. [10] [11]
List of host cities and stadiums| Country | City | Stadium | Capacity | Image |
|---|
 England | London | Wembley Stadium | 90,000 |  |
|---|
| Tottenham Hotspur Stadium | 62,850 |  | | Emirates Stadium | 60,704 |  | | Stamford Bridge [a] | 40,022 |  | | Selhurst Park | 25,486
(to be renovated) [10] |  | | Manchester | Old Trafford [b] | 74,197 |  |
|---|
| Etihad Stadium | 61,470
(after renovation) |  | | Birmingham | New Birmingham City Stadium | 62,000 |  |
|---|
| Villa Park | 50,000
(after renovation) |  | | Leeds | Elland Road | 53,000
(after renovation) [12] |  |
|---|
| Liverpool | Hill Dickinson Stadium | 52,769 |  |
|---|
| Newcastle | St James' Park | 52,305 |  |
|---|
| Sunderland | Stadium of Light | 49,000 |  |
|---|
| Brighton & Hove | American Express Stadium | 31,876 |  |
|---|
| Nottingham | City Ground | 30,404
(to be renovated) [10] |  |
|---|
| Bristol | Ashton Gate | 26,462 |  |
|---|
 Northern Ireland | Belfast | Windsor Park | 18,500
(to be renovated) [10] |  |
|---|
 Scotland | Glasgow | Hampden Park | 51,866 |  |
|---|
| Edinburgh | Easter Road | 20,421 |  |
|---|
 Wales | Cardiff | Millennium Stadium | 73,931 |  |
|---|
| Cardiff City Stadium | 33,280 |  | | Wrexham | Racecourse Ground | 15,500
(to be renovated) [10] |  |
|---|
|
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