The Football Association of Ireland has submitted a preliminary bid to UEFA to stage the 2029 Women’s Champions League final at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. This proposal follows a three-month exploratory process involving key stakeholders. If selected, the event would mark another major European final at the venue.
The Aviva Stadium in Dublin stands as a candidate to host the 2029 UEFA Women’s Champions League final, following the official submission of a preliminary bid dossier by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) to UEFA on Wednesday morning. This move builds on the stadium's proven track record with major European events, including the 2011 Europa League final where Porto defeated Braga in front of over 45,000 fans, and the 2024 final where Atalanta overcame Bayer Leverkusen with more than 47,000 in attendance. The venue's capacity exceeds that of the 2025 final host, Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo, which holds 27,000 spectators—nearly double the size—while the 2027 final is set for Warsaw's Stadion Narodowy, accommodating 56,800. Recent Women’s Champions League finals have shown growing interest: Barcelona's 2024 victory over Lyon at San Mames in Bilbao drew 50,827 fans, up from 33,147 at the 2023 final in Eindhoven and 38,256 at the 2022 decider in Lisbon, where Katie McCabe and Arsenal defeated Barcelona. In its statement, the FAI highlighted the collaborative effort: “The FAI worked closely with Aviva Stadium, the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, and Dublin City Council, to review the requirements to host the event with consideration given to legacy potential, delivery feasibility and financial costs.” The association emphasized its experience from past Europa League finals and preparations for EURO 2028, alongside the rising popularity of women’s and girls’ football in Ireland. The FAI will continue partnering with stakeholders ahead of the final bid in early June, positioning Ireland strongly for the 28th edition of Europe’s premier women’s club competition.
