Women’s World Cup Fever in Leeds? Elland Road Tipped to Host 2035 Matches

Since the Lionesses’ historic triumph at Euro 2022, women’s football in the United Kingdom has enjoyed a surge in popularity. That momentum grew further with England’s run to the 2023 Women’s World Cup final and was cemented when the Lionesses successfully defended their European crown this past summer.

The United Kingdom is set to stage the 2035 Women’s World Cup, with no rival nations submitting bids. While official confirmation is still to come, preparations are already under way to determine which stadiums across the UK will host matches in the tournament.

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World Cup in Leeds?

One of those potential venues is Elland Road. Leeds United confirmed on their official website that the stadium could be in line to host as many as seven World Cup fixtures. Next week, senior councillors at Leeds City Council are expected to give the green light for the club to formally submit its bid.

At present, the Lionesses do not have a player from West Yorkshire in their ranks. The closest local connections are Beth Mead, from Whitby, and Rachel Daly, from Harrogate.

But a lot can change in ten years’ time.

Leeds United Women currently compete in the FA Women’s National League Division One North, which is the fourth tier of the pyramid. Yet, the prospect of a World Cup coming to the city could prove a powerful catalyst for growth in women’s football at the grassroots level in Yorkshire.

‘Driving A Positive Impact’ in Leeds

Leeds United Chief Business Officer Morrie Eisenberg spoke of the scale of the opportunity:

“We are thrilled at the prospect of bringing 2035 Women’s FIFA World Cup matches to Elland Road, which would be fantastic for both the club and the city.

“As part of our vision to enhance Elland Road and put it amongst the elite stadia in Europe, we want to host Premier League football and world-class events, and this is an amazing opportunity to do so.

“The women’s game has enjoyed huge growth over the past decade, which will only continue over the coming years. We want Elland Road to be part of that legacy. This is another example of the city and club coming together to drive positive impact for the Leeds community.”

Should the bid be approved, Leeds will be one of several cities vying for the chance to host Women’s World Cup matches in what promises to be a landmark tournament for women’s football in the UK, creating a sports fever nation like the London Olympics did in 2012.