Nottingham is setting its sights on becoming a host city for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2035, with a reliance on Nottingham Forest’s re-development of the City Ground.
At a meeting of its Executive Board next week, the City Council will decide whether Nottingham should proceed as a part of the UK bid to stage the event due to be submitted to FIFA at the end of November.
If the UK proposal to host the event is successful, with a decision by FIFA due in April 2026, Nottingham would be one of up to 20 cities shortlisted as a part of the bid. A final selection of between 14-16 host cities and stadia is expected to be made by FIFA in 2030.
The Nottingham host city bid would be subject to Nottingham Forest’s re-development of the City Ground and compliance with FIFA stadium requirements. In a document for the Executive Board meeting the council notes that if this re-development does not take place or is delayed, the opportunity to host the tournament in the city would not be possible.
The council added that the bid represents an “ambitious once in a lifetime opportunity for Nottingham to host a truly world class sporting event.”
Expected England-wide economic outputs hosting the tournament is forecasted to be £1.9bn GVA and creating 31,000 jobs, plus significant benefits of social value, volunteering, participation and a feel-good factor.
It is expected that Nottingham, if selected as a host city, would host seven matches as a part of the tournament. Based on this it is estimated that the host city GVA would be in the region of £20m.
