The Football Association of Ireland (FAI), in conjunction with the Department of Sport, has officially entered the race to host the 2029 UEFATeam·UEFA Women's Champions League final. The formal bid dossier, proposing Dublin's Aviva StadiumVenue·Aviva Stadium as the venue, was submitted to UEFATeam·UEFA just under two weeks ago, following an initial expression of interest in October and a preliminary bid in February.
Ireland faces notable competition from across Europe, with Wales' Principality Stadium in Cardiff, France's Parc Olympique Lyonnais in LyonTeam·Lyon, and Switzerland's St. Jakob-Park in Basel also vying for the prestigious event. Despite the strong field, Ireland's established reputation for successfully staging major sporting events is expected to be a significant factor in UEFATeam·UEFA's ultimate decision.
The Aviva StadiumVenue·Aviva Stadium, with a capacity of 51,700, boasts a proven track record, having hosted two UEFATeam·UEFA Europa LeagueCompetition·Europa League finals in 2011 and 2024. It is also slated to be a key venue for the men's UEFATeam·UEFA European Championship in 2028. Beyond football, Ireland has demonstrated its capability to host large-scale international events, including a recent NFL game and the upcoming Ryder CupCompetition·Ryder Cup at Adare ManorVenue·Adare Manor in 2027.
The bid has garnered robust support from the Government of Ireland, through the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, and Dublin City Council. This governmental backing, including Cabinet approval, was secured in the week leading up to the formal submission on June 10, 2026.
A central tenet of Ireland's proposal is the substantial growth of women's and girls' football across the nation. Participation has seen a remarkable 79% increase over the last three years, with home matches for the Ireland Women's National Team attracting a collective attendance of 241,987 during the same period. Should the bid prove successful, the final is projected to inject between €8 million and €17 million into Dublin's economy and support between 150 and 300 jobs.
FAI CEO David Courell articulated the broader vision for the bid, stating:
"Dublin would be the perfect host city for the 2029 UEFA Women's Champions League Final because of our track record of successfully hosting major UEFA events, the strong working relationship that we have with Government, Dublin City Council and Aviva Stadium, the growing popularity of women & girls' football around the country, and our ambition to deliver, what we believe, would be the best Final in the competition's history."
He further emphasized the long-term impact:
"This bid is about much more than hosting a single game, it is about maximising the opportunity of leading generational change."
Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O'Donovan, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the potential for inspiration:
"Bringing one of the biggest events in world football to Ireland would be about far more than a single match. It would inspire the next generation of players, encourage greater participation in sport, and help drive the continued growth of women's and girls' football right across the country."
Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Ray McAdam, also affirmed the city's readiness:
"an active city, alive with sport and ambition; a living city, ready to welcome supporters, families, players and visitors from across Europe; and an engaged city, where moments like this inspire the next generation of girls and young women to see football as their game, their stage and their future."
UEFATeam·UEFA is anticipated to announce its decision on the hosts for both the 2028 and 2029 Women's Champions League finals in September 2026. A successful bid would mark a significant milestone for Irish football, further elevating the profile of the women's game and fostering a lasting legacy of participation and engagement.
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