Football Association of Ireland bids to host 2029 Women’s Champions League final at Aviva Stadium

The Football Association of Ireland has formally submitted a bid to host the 2029 UEFA Women’s Champions League final at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, adding Ireland to a competitive field that includes Wales, France, and Switzerland.

The FAI filed its preliminary bid with UEFA on February 4, 2026. The Irish government confirmed its backing for the effort on June 3, 2026, giving the candidacy the political support that UEFA typically weighs during its evaluation process.

Why Dublin thinks it can win

The Aviva Stadium, with a capacity of 51,700, is no stranger to major international sporting events. It serves as the home ground for Irish rugby and football, and its infrastructure has been tested repeatedly at the highest level.

Players from the Irish women’s national team publicly endorsed the bid in April 2026.

Women’s football in Ireland has seen rising attendance figures and expanding grassroots participation in recent years.

The competition

Ireland faces three rival bids. Wales, France, and Switzerland have all submitted their own proposals, each bringing established footballing infrastructure and hosting experience to the table.

UEFA’s evaluation process for hosting decisions typically scrutinizes venue infrastructure, transportation links, accommodation capacity, and the overall fan experience.

Broader context for Ireland’s sports economy

Ireland’s regulatory environment includes oversight from the Central Bank of Ireland and alignment with the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework. MiCA provides a harmonized regulatory framework for digital assets across the European Union. Currently, direct links between the bid and emerging technologies, notably cryptocurrency and digital assets, have not been established.

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