UK Joint Bid Submitted to Host FIFA Women’s World Cup 2035

Leeds and Elland Road included as potential venues in UK’s bid

The United Kingdom has officially submitted a joint bid to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2035™. Leeds City Council has confirmed that Leeds and Elland Road are among the potential locations proposed to host matches during the tournament.

Bid submission and next steps

The bid, submitted by the UK’s national football associations, will now be reviewed by FIFA. The decision on which country will host the tournament is expected to be announced in April 2026.

Local reactions

Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, Councillor Salma Arif, expressed cautious optimism about the bid. She said:

“It is really exciting that the formal bid for the United Kingdom to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2035™ has been submitted, and that if the bid is successful Leeds and Elland Road has been selected as one of the potential locations and venues to stage matches. Staging major international football on the biggest stage in the world would further showcase Leeds as a city and Elland Road as a venue on a global scale.”

West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin also welcomed the prospect of hosting the tournament in the region, highlighting the potential benefits:

“I’d be thrilled to welcome the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2035™ to West Yorkshire. It would be a chance to showcase our proud sporting heritage, boost our local economy, and inspire the next generation of women and girls to get into sport. We’re ready to celebrate the beautiful game and build a legacy that will benefit our communities for years to come.”

Leeds United’s Chief Business Officer Morrie Eisenberg commented on the opportunity for the club and city:

“We are thrilled at the prospect of bringing the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2035™ matches to Elland Road, which would be fantastic for both the club and the city. As part of our vision to enhance Elland Road, which would put it amongst the elite stadia in Europe, we want to host Premier League football and world-class events, and this is an amazing opportunity to do so. The women’s game has enjoyed huge growth over the past decade, which will only continue over the coming years and we want Elland Road to be part of that legacy.”

About the bid

• The UK joint bid involves all four national football associations: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
• Leeds and Elland Road are listed as one of several potential venues across the UK.
• FIFA will assess the bid before making a final decision in April 2026.

The potential hosting of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2035™ in Leeds would mark a significant moment for the city, potentially bringing international attention and economic benefits tied to one of the world’s largest sporting events.