UK Submits Bid Book for 2035 Women’s World Cup
England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have officially submitted their joint bid to host the 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The tournament concept includes several new stadium construction and renovation projects.
Having already been selected to host UEFA EURO 2028, the four “Home Nations” are preparing the next major football tournament with their Women’s World Cup 2035 bid. The proposal is built around the guiding theme “All Together,” which the bid book describes as a strategy centred on three priorities: expanding access to football for women and girls, creating programmes to develop leaders and specialists in the women’s game, and accelerating the commercial growth of women’s football. The stadium plan combines established large-scale tournament venues with several newcomers.
The proposed stadium concept includes 22 stadiums across 16 host cities: one in Northern Ireland, two in Scotland, three in Wales and sixteen in England. With 63 million people living within a two-hour travel radius of one of the proposed venues, organisers say it would be the most accessible tournament in history.
| Country | City | Stadium | Tournament Capacity | Renovation planned? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | Birmingham | Sports Quarter Stadium | 62,000 | New construction |
| Villa Park | 50,001 | Expansion | ||
| Brighton & Hove | American Express Stadium | 32,500 | Expansion | |
| Bristol | Ashton Gate | 26,387 | Expansion | |
| Leeds | Elland Road | 46,977 | Expansion | |
| Liverpool | Hill Dickinson Stadium | 52,888 | None | |
| London | Chelsea FC Stadium | tbd | Expansion or new construction | |
| Emirates Stadium | 60,832 | None | ||
| Selhurst Park | 34,259 | Expansion | ||
| Tottenham Hotspur Stadium | 62,570 | None | ||
| Wembley Stadium connected by EE | 90,652 | None | ||
| Manchester | Etihad Stadium | 61,027 | Expansion | |
| Old Trafford | 74,412 | New construction | ||
| Newcastle | St James’ Park | 52,291 | Expansion | |
| Nottingham | City Ground | 36,000 | Expansion | |
| Sunderland | Stadium of Light | 48,707 | None | |
| Northern Ireland | Belfast | Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park | 23,752 | Expansion |
| Scotland | Edinburgh | Easter Road | 20,093 | None |
| Glasgow | Hampden Park | 52,032 | None | |
| Wales | Cardiff | Cardiff City Stadium | 33,334 | None |
| Principality Stadium | 73,907 | None | ||
| Wrexham | Racecourse | tbd | Expansion | |
| Source: Bid book "All Together". | ||||
Villa Park, the American Express Stadium and the Etihad Stadium are currently undergoing renovation, while concrete refurbishment plans are already in place for Elland Road, Selhurst Park, The City Ground and the Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park, all scheduled for completion before 2035. Four additional stadiums are facing such extensive renovation or complete rebuild proposals that the bid process will wait for further clarification before any final evaluation.
In Birmingham, Birmingham City FC plans to build the Sports Quarter Stadium—recently presented as the Powerhouse Stadium, complete with renderings—with a projected capacity of 62,000 seats. Meanwhile, Wrexham AFC’s stadium is being expanded to reach a capacity of 18,000 spectators, with further increases planned by 2035 to meet FIFA’s technical requirements. Chelsea FC is currently reviewing several options for a new home ground; the existing Stamford Bridge does not meet FIFA’s technical specifications, meaning the outcome of this consultation will determine whether a new or redeveloped stadium can be included in FIFA’s final venue selection. The venue list also includes Old Trafford in its current form, as insufficient information is available on the planned new stadium for FIFA to assess it within the bid process. The new-build project is mentioned in the bid, and while Old Trafford is submitted as it stands, the intent is to bring the new stadium into FIFA’s consideration once plans are confirmed.
England is experiencing a veritable stadum constrution boom. The top clubs in particular are pushing ahead with costly projects. The 15 largest stadiums alone are aiming to increase their capacities by a total of 125,000 additional seats in the near future. stadiaworld takes a closer look at the current developments.
In their joint statement, the chief executives of the English, Irish, Scottish and Welsh football associations said: “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.”
FIFA will now conduct a thorough evaluation process, although the UK is the sole bidder for the 2035 tournament edition.
Subject to the bid meeting the hosting requirements, the official appointment of the hosts will be decided by the 76th FIFA Congressin Vancouver, Canada, on 30 April 2026. (stadiaworld, 02.12.2025)
