Joy over news World Cup football could be heading to Trafford

Trafford Council has announced it has been included in the bid to become a host city for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2035™ – set to be the largest single-sport event to ever be held in the UK.

The Council wants to become one of 16 host cities across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to host games as part of the huge national celebration.

The UK are sole bidders to host the tournament and a final decision is expected to be made in April at the 76th FIFA Congress.

Hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2035, fully supports the objectives of Trafford Moving and the borough’s Sport and Physical Activity Strategy. It will also have a number of huge benefits for the borough:

• Hosting the tournament will encourage thousands more women and girls to play football – as hosting the UEFA Women’s Euros in 2022 proved.
• It is estimated that host cities will benefit from an additional direct spend of £207million over the course of the tournament.
• The tournament will attract local visitors but will also boost wider tourism in Trafford. It is estimated that 20% of ticket holders will be international visitors.
• In addition to those attending the events in person, matches will be broadcast to an estimated two billion viewers across the world. This puts Trafford on the global stage and could attract future interest in the borough. 

The FA’s bid is built on the powerful vision of ‘All Together’ - a rallying cry for women's football and sport more broadly. It represents a full commitment to delivering the most inclusive, inspiring and globally connected FIFA Women's World Cup ever.

Inclusivity, diversity and global connection are at the heart of the bid which aims to show that hosting in the UK will engage, inspire and unite every corner of the world.

Supporting more people to be more active is a key goal for the Council and hosting this event would contribute to several of our corporate priorities, particularly providing healthy and independent lives for all, giving the best start for children and young people, and providing sport, and culture and heritage for all.

FIFA have set out a number of commitments they require from host cities to ensure the tournament runs effectively including providing a fan festival site close to the stadium, branding support, operational support and leading on the recruitment of volunteers.

Cllr Eve Parker, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Leisure, Arts, Culture and Heritage, said: 

“The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2035 is a huge event and is expected to be the largest single-sport event to ever be held in the UK. Trafford is home to two massive sporting institutions – Manchester United’s Old Trafford and Lancashire Cricket Club - and we are used to hosting major events.

“There are huge benefits associated with being a host city for this event including promoting Trafford on a world stage to millions and millions of people. The Council will work with FIFA and our local partners, including Manchester United, to help bring this major event to the borough.”

Collette Roche, Manchester United’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “We are proud to be part of the rich sporting and cultural fabric of Trafford, and the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2035 is a brilliant opportunity for us to showcase our home to the rest of the world.

“Our ambition is to build a new 100,000-seater stadium fit to host the biggest international football games. This will be part of a wider regeneration of the area around Old Trafford, with far-reaching benefits for the local community, Greater Manchester and the surrounding region.

“We also want to be a leader in the growth of women’s football, in our own neighbourhood and around the world. All these objectives come together in Trafford’s bid to be a host city for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2035, and we are looking forward to working with our partners in making this incredibly exciting vision a reality.”