After losing out to Switzerland to host the 2025 UEFA Women’s Euro, Nordic neighbors Denmark and Sweden today announced their intention to bid to host the tournament in 2029.
The two countries, along with Finland and Norway, were ultimately unsuccessful bids by four other nations to host next year’s games. Only two countries have been chosen to host the Women’s European Championship since its inception in 1984 in the past 13 editions.
Given their history of strong support for the women’s game, the bid by the four Nordic countries was seen as the favorite against rival bids from France, Poland and Switzerland. In the first vote, they received 4 out of 13 votes from the UEFA Executive Committee, tied with Switzerland. However, at the end of each vote, the person with the fewest votes for their bid was eliminated, so all votes subsequently transferred went to the Swiss side, with no further support.
It is said that the four Nordic countries wanted to try again to host the tournament in 2029, but the evaluation report for the failed bid in 2025 stated, “If only two countries participate, there is little chance of winning next time.” It became clear that it would be much higher. Logistics, avoidance of long-distance travel, equipment and increased focus on sustainability, even in football, will be key arguments for this. ”
Therefore, following discussions at the UEFA conference in Paris this week, the game’s governing bodies Denmark (DBU) and Sweden (SvFF) today expressed their interest in co-hosting the 2029 tournament.
DBU Chairman Jesper Møller and Managing Director Erik Brogger Rasmussen visited Olso to discuss the new strategy with the Norwegian side and underlined their belief that the chances of success are increased this time.
Only once in the history of the tournament have two countries co-hosted the final. In 1997, Sweden collaborated with Norway to organize a tournament with what was then an eight-team tournament. Since 2017, 16 countries have qualified for the UEFA Women’s Euro finals.
Denmark hosted the fourth tournament in 1991, with a four-team final. Denmark has already proposed the National Parkenstadion in Copenhagen, the 23,400-capacity Brøndby Stadium, and a new stadium in Aarhus as possible locations.
In 2013, Sweden hosted the finals on its own, with a 12-team tournament held in seven host cities: Gothenburg, Halmstad, Kalmar, Linköping, Norrköping, Solna and Växjö. The final between Germany and Norway, held at the Friends Arena in Solna on the outskirts of Stockholm, attracted a crowd of 41,301, the highest in the tournament’s history in the nine years leading up to the opening match of the UEFA Women’s Euro in England. It became. Regarding the possibility of holding the event, SvFF said, “We have no information to share at this stage.”
SvFF President Fredrik Reinfeldt said: “I am looking forward to drawing on my experience and knowledge of international competitions and working with my Danish colleagues to prepare our application for the European Championship 2029. continues to grow in Sweden as well.” “Interest and practice are growing and we look forward to working with Denmark to create new dreams for future generations at the championship.”
Moller added: “Girls’ and women’s football in Denmark and Europe is developing rapidly due to increased interest and more girls and women playing football. We hope to host the Nordic Women’s Football Championship in 2025. I was very disappointed that I couldn’t do that,” he added. ”
“Together with our colleagues in Sweden, we will create a final round in a fantastic setting for everyone: the fans, coaches, volunteers, officials, partners and UEFA. We have to start working.” We look forward to showing what Danish and Swedish hosting can offer. ”
At this time, there is no timeline regarding the bidding criteria and process for the tournament, but DBU and SvFF anticipate that the application process will begin later this year. At that point, Denmark and Sweden will decide whether to proceed with the actual bid.
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