The FAI has submitted its final bid dossier to UEFA to host the 2029 UEFA Women’s Champions League Final at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
The bid has the support of the Government of Ireland, through the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, as well as Dublin City Council and the Aviva Stadium.
The FAI believes Dublin is strongly placed to host the 28th final of Europe’s leading women’s club competition, building on the city’s recent experience of staging major UEFA events, including the Europa League Finals in 2011 and 2024.
Preparatory work is also already under way for Dublin to host seven games as part of UEFA EURO 2028, further strengthening the city’s major event credentials.
The bid is framed around delivering a final that will create a memorable atmosphere at the Aviva Stadium, showcase Dublin as a vibrant and welcoming capital city, and leave a legacy for the continued growth of women and girls’ football in Ireland.
That growth has been substantial, with the FAI reporting a 79 per cent increase in participation in women and girls’ football over the past three years.
Over the same period, Ireland Women’s National Team home fixtures have attracted a combined attendance of 241,987, reflecting the increased visibility and appetite for the game.
The FAI sees the 2029 UEFA Women’s Champions League Final as an opportunity to build further momentum by helping more women and girls find a role within football, while also supporting the League of Ireland through increased attendances, stronger digital engagement and improved viewership of live games on terrestrial television.
The Dublin bid identity is rooted in the symbolism of the city’s three castles, reimagined as three forces behind the bid: Feel Dublin. Love the Final; Inspire Her. Grow the Game; and Create Fandom. Fuel the Future.
“Dublin would be the perfect host city for the 2029 UEFA Women’s Champions League Final because of our track record of successfully hosting major UEFA events, the strong working relationship that we have with Government, Dublin City Council and Aviva Stadium, the growing popularity of women and girls’ football around the country, and our ambition to deliver what we believe would be the best Final in the competition’s history,” said David Courell, FAI CEO.
“Irish football has a strong connection to the UEFA Women’s Champions League with four individual winners in Emma Byrne, Ciara Grant, Yvonne Tracy and Katie McCabe, while 11 different Irish clubs have competed in qualifiers since its inception. Now, we want to bring its showpiece event to Dublin to inspire the current and next generation of girls.
“We believe that this bid clearly outlines why Dublin is best placed to host the Final in 2029, how we will welcome supporters and visitors from around the world, and where it fits into the FAI’s ongoing commitment to growing women and girls’ football.
“This bid is about much more than hosting a single game. It is about maximising the opportunity of leading generational change.”
Government backing for the bid was confirmed last week at Cabinet level.
“I am delighted to see the FAI formally submit its bid to host the UEFA Women’s Champions League Final in Dublin in 2029,” said Patrick O’Donovan, Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport.
“The Government has already signalled its strong backing for this ambition, and I was pleased to secure Cabinet support for the bid last week.
“Bringing one of the biggest events in world football to Ireland would be about far more than a single match. It would inspire the next generation of players, encourage greater participation in sport, and help drive the continued growth of women’s and girls’ football right across the country.
“It would also build on the momentum and excitement that UEFA Men’s EURO 2028 will bring when Ireland hosts matches at the Aviva Stadium. Hosting the Women’s Champions League Final the following year would further strengthen Ireland’s reputation as a first-class destination for major international sporting events and leave a lasting legacy for the game here at home.”
Minister of State with Responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy Charlie McConalogue said hosting the final would provide another powerful moment for Irish women’s football.
“I am confident that, if chosen by UEFA, Ireland will host a fantastic event for football fans from home and abroad,” said McConalogue.
“The UEFA Women’s Champions League Final is the premier football event in the women’s club game. Hosting a major international sports event like this on home soil provides a great opportunity for young people to attend and be inspired.
“Last year’s tournament saw Ireland’s own Katie McCabe play in the Final. The potential of a similar boost for Irish women’s football in a Dublin final in 2029 cannot be overstated. I am confident that Dublin will provide the perfect backdrop for a memorable and successful event.”
Dublin City Council has also given its full support to the bid.
“As Lord Mayor of Dublin, I am proud to support our city’s bid to host the UEFA Women’s Champions League Final in 2029,” said Cllr Ray McAdam, Lord Mayor of Dublin.
“This is what Celebrating Dublin is all about: an active city, alive with sport and ambition; a living city, ready to welcome supporters, families, players and visitors from across Europe; and an engaged city, where moments like this inspire the next generation of girls and young women to see football as their game, their stage and their future.
“Hosting this Final would shine a global spotlight on Dublin, bring excitement to our streets and celebrate the extraordinary growth of women’s football. Dublin has shown time and again that we can deliver major international sporting events with professionalism, inclusion and joy.
“The FAI has the full support of Dublin City Council in preparing this bid, and we will work together to make this a memorable celebration of football, of women in sport and of Dublin at its very best.”
The UEFA Executive Committee will review all official bids before announcing its final decision in September 2026.
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