A joint bid from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland has been submitted to host the 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup, placing Nottingham among the proposed host cities. Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward said: “I am thrilled by the prospect of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales hosting the 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The submission of the formal bid to FIFA marks a significant milestone on the journey to making this vision a reality.
“For Nottingham, the chance to be named a host city could be truly transformative – bringing lasting benefits not only to the city itself but to the wider East Midlands region and far beyond.
“Hosting matches here would provide a major boost to our visitor economy, attracting fans from across the globe to experience everything our fantastic region has to offer – from world-class sporting facilities and vibrant cultural attractions to stunning countryside and historic landmarks. This influx of visitors would support local businesses, create jobs, and showcase the East Midlands as a destination of choice for tourism and investment.
“I am excited to continue working alongside Nottingham City Council and our partners to transform this remarkable opportunity into a lasting reality.”
The bid sets out plans for 22 stadiums across 16 cities, including Nottingham Forest’s City Ground, forming the backbone of what would be the largest single-sport event ever hosted in the UK. It details a schedule of 104 matches contested by 48 teams across 39 days, supported by 48 team base camps, 82 venue-specific training sites and 32 proposed FIFA Fan Festival locations.
Organisers frame the tournament as a major commercial opportunity for sectors spanning hospitality, transport, retail and media. With up to 4.5 million tickets available and an anticipated global audience of 3.5 billion, the event is positioned as a catalyst for economic activity and long-term sector growth.
The submission also outlines ambitions to expand participation in women’s football, develop leadership pathways and use tournament revenues to strengthen grassroots and elite programmes across the four nations.
