Irish Football Association officially bids to host the 2029 UEFA Women's Champions League final at Dublin's Aviva Stadium.
The Football Association of Ireland has formally filed a proposal to host the 2029 UEFA Women's Champions League final at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. The bid was first introduced as a potential option in an expression of interest sent to European football's governing body in October. A preliminary application was later submitted in February to support the city's candidacy. The bid has received backing from both the Irish Government and Dublin City Council.
Aviva Stadium has previously hosted major European finals, including the 2011 and 2024 UEFA Europa League finals. The venue, which can accommodate 51,700 spectators, is also scheduled to host seven matches during the UEFA Euro 2028 tournament. The FAI aims to further establish Dublin's reputation as a premier host for significant sporting events through this bid. The stadium's infrastructure and experience make it a strong candidate for the prestigious final.
The FAI highlighted Ireland's deep ties to the UEFA Women's Champions League, noting four individual Irish winners: Emma Byrne, Ciara Grant, Yvonne Tracy, and Katie McCabe. Additionally, eleven different Irish clubs have participated in qualifying rounds since the competition's inception. The association expressed a desire to bring the tournament's flagship match to Dublin to motivate current and future generations of female players. This bid represents a chance to capitalize on the rapid expansion of women's football across the country.
The Principality Stadium in Cardiff has also submitted a bid to host the 2029 final, joining Dublin and two other unnamed venues. Parc Olympique Lyonnais and St Jakob-Park in Basel have shown interest in hosting either the 2028 or 2029 finals. UEFA is set to reveal the chosen stadiums for the 2028 and 2029 finals in September. The 2027 final is already confirmed to take place in Warsaw.
Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe played a pivotal role as Arsenal defeated Barcelona in the 2025 UEFA Women's Champions League final held in Lisbon. Barcelona later secured a dominant 4-0 victory over Lyon in the most recent final, which took place at Oslo's Ullevaal Stadion last month. These high-profile matches underscore the growing global appeal and competitiveness of the tournament.