With the growth of the women’s game internationally and at club and country level, more and more internet has been made to host women's football tournaments, including the women's Champions League, as both Wales and Ireland join interested parties to host the final in 2029.
Given Arsenal's recent success, which has brought the Champions League back to England since 2007, there is increased interest in hosting outside the main geographical area of Europe.
If Wales win the bid the game will be played at the National Stadium, known for its atmosphere and the only UK based stadium where the roof closes. The stadium has a capacity of 74,500.
Ireland hopes to host it at the Aviva Stadium as a strategy to continue the growth of the women’s and girls football and supports its strategic ambitions of Ireland's standings as a trusted host for major football events and building on the momentum from UEFA Euro 2028.
Which they will host alongside the UK but their participation in the Euros is dependent on them qualifying as UEFA announced none of the five countries hosting it in 2028 will automatically qualify.
The Aviva stadium has a capacity of 51,700. This comes after they were stripped of their hosting duties by UEFA after another COVID-19 pandemic wave struck the country and they could provide 25% capacity.
The FAW said that securing the 2029 Women’s Champions League final would provide an opportunity to ‘inspire greater participation in the sport’ and ‘strengthen the grassroots’ system in Wales.
Meanwhile, the FAI said they would consider submitting a formal bid based on the understanding of the legacy potential, delivery feasibility and any financial considerations.
They have stiff competition elsewhere from France and Switzerland.
Switzerland hosted the record-breaking Euro 2025 tournament though their final location which they hope to host this event is smaller than the others. St Jakob Park in Basel had a capacity for domestic matches of 38,512 which is just over half the capacity of the Principality.
France also hope to stage the final at Parc Olympicque Lyonnais the home of Lyon which is 59,186 so the second largest on the list, UEFA has rules that the final is required to be played at a neutral venue even if this is the mans stadium it still is the same club and therefore I would nott see it as neutral.
2028 Women’s Champions League final potential hosts
- France: Lyon-Decines, Parc Olympique Lyonnais
- Spain: Bilbao, San Mames Stadium
- Switzerland: Basel, St. Jakob Park
- Turkiye: Istanbul, Ali Sami Yen Stadium
2029 Women’s Champions League final potential hosts
- France: Lyon-Decines, Parc Olympique Lyonnais
- Republic of Ireland: Dublin, Dublin Arena
- Switzerland: Basel, St. Jakob-Park
- Wales: Cardiff, National Stadium of Wales
When will UEFA decide who hosts the Women’s Champions League finals?
Ireland and Wales’ declarations of interests are not binding and a final dossier must be submitted by June 10th, 2026.
UEFA will then decide who will host the finals in September 2026.
Cardiff hosted the 2017 Women’s Champions League final at Cardiff City Stadium and the final of the men’s competition that same year at the Principality Stadium.
The Dublin Arena hosted the men’s Europa League final in 2024, but the Republic of Ireland has never hosted the men’s or women’s Champions League finals.
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