Leeds set to bid to host 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup matches at Elland Road

Leeds could be in line to host matches in the 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup with senior councillors expected to approve the city making a formal bid at a meeting next week.

The council’s executive board will be asked at its meeting at Civic Hall on Wednesday 17 September to approve Leeds submitting a bid to the Football Association to be considered to host up to seven matches in the tournament at Leeds United’s Elland Road Stadium.

The United Kingdom bid to stage the prestigious tournament in 2035 is set to be unopposed, with locations in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland bidding for the right to be host venues for the matches.

Leeds City Council is working with Leeds United and key partners on the bid for the city, with all potential venues needing to meet set criteria in terms of its stadium and supporting infrastructure. Leeds and Elland Road is expected to be one of the leading candidates due to the redevelopment plans for the stadium which would see significant investment and an increase in capacity at the ground up to 56,500, making it one of the largest stadiums in the country. For more details on those plans see https://news.leeds.gov.uk/news/senior-councillors-set-for-major-update-on-elland-road.

As a city Leeds also has a strong reputation for hosting major international sporting events, including in recent years matches in both the rugby union and rugby league world cups, the World Triathlon Series, the Cricket World Cup, IRONMAN Leeds and the 2014 Grand Départ of the Tour de France, which earned global acclaim and admiration.

The city is also a renowned venue for arts, music and cultural events and festivals including Live at Leeds, Leeds Festival, Leeds Waterfront Festival, Light Night Leeds, Leeds International Film Festival and the Leeds West Indian Carnival.

Women’s football as a sport is growing at all levels in the UK, inspired by the historic achievements of England’s Lionesses in winning then successfully retaining the European Championship title as well as reaching the FIFA World Cup final in 2023.

At grassroots level, the West Riding County Women’s Football League now has over 1600 players registered across seven divisions and is one of the biggest women’s leagues in the country.

Cities and towns bidding to host matches in the 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup are expected to need to provide funding of up to £10million, but each match is estimated to generate that amount through attracting thousands of visitors, so it could result in a total return of approximately £70million to the city.

Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture Councillor Salma Arif said:

“The possibility of Leeds and Elland Road hosting matches in a football world cup is hugely exciting and so we are delighted to be making our bid to be a host venue working with Leeds United and our partners. Women’s football is booming at all levels following the incredible success of the Lionesses, which is fantastic to see in terms of inspiring people of all ages to lead healthy and active lifestyles.

“And as a city Leeds has a proven track-record for hosting major international events, so we look forward to being part of this bidding process and hearing on the next steps in due course.”

Leeds United Chief Business Officer Morrie Eisenberg said:

“We are thrilled at the prospect of bringing 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup 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, this is another example of the city and club coming together to drive positive impact for the Leeds community.”

For more information on the Leeds bid, see the report being considered by the executive board at Council and democracy (agenda item 11).

ENDS

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