11:46, 28 Oct 2025<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0_JS375568530.jpg\")
The Lionesses during England’s Euros quarterfinal match against Sweden(Image: Andrew Stenning\/Daily Mirror)<\/p>\n
Birmingham hosting the Commonwealth Games back in 2022 felt like a seminal moment for many, with the event attracting tourism, praise and a huge economic boost.<\/p>\n
But there are ambitions of the city further establishing itself as one of the main places to go in the country for major sports events in the years to come.<\/p>\n
Brum already has the European Athletics Championships, the Invictus Games and the 2028 Men\u2019s Euros lined up over the next three years.<\/p>\n
READ MORE:<\/strong> Peaky Blinders creator to play role in creating new Blues stadium<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n And now the opportunity to host the Women\u2019s\u2019 Football World Cup in 2035 could see the city enhance its sporting reputation even more.<\/p>\n The tournament is set to be held in the UK after Fifa president Gianni Infantino said the country was the sole \u201cvalid\u201d bidder for the sporting event.<\/p>\n Birmingham<\/a> Council confirmed this month that it has plans to bid to become one of the event\u2019s host cities in 10 years\u2019 time, adding it could bring an array of benefits.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a look at what we know about Birmingham\u2019s World Cup bid.<\/p>\n What benefits would it bring to Birmingham?<\/strong> The council<\/a> said in a recently-published report that there could be an economic boost of more than \u00a3100m for Birmingham by hosting the event.<\/p>\n \u201cThe host city and region will have further opportunities to maximise the positive economic impact,\u201d it continued.<\/p>\n It said there would be requirements for training venues, hotels, increased throughput at the airport and the opportunity to bid to become the International Broadcasting Centre.<\/p>\n The council went on to say that major events also help attract regional, national and international visitors, both around the event itself but also in the longer-term.<\/p>\n \u201cThey raise awareness of Birmingham as a potential destination through domestic and international media and digital coverage,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n \u201cThis event will see 300,000 ticket holders come to the city over 39 days, 50,000 of these will be from overseas.\u201d<\/p>\n Other benefits identified by the council include:<\/p>\n Where would it be held in Birmingham?<\/strong> The council report said a number of stadiums within England have gained \u201cpreferred status\u201d, with the expectation that around three quarters of them will ultimately be selected by FIFA to be final venues.<\/p>\n It went on to confirm that Birmingham has two stadiums that have made this shortlist.<\/p>\n While these venues are not directly mentioned in the report, it does note that Aston Villa and Birmingham City have been involved in the bid.<\/p>\n \u201cFIFA are expected to make an announcement on the award of the event in the spring of 2026,\u201d the council said. \u201cHowever, the current timeline does not have them confirming the final details of which stadia will be selected until 2030\/2031.\u201d<\/p>\n The host city will also be expected to provide a FIFA Fan Festival which needs to be close to the city centre<\/a> and be able to hold around 10,000 spectators, the council says.<\/p>\n \u201cThe city does not have one outdoor central location that can accommodate this scale of audience and so is proposing a split site across both Centenary and Victoria squares,\u201d it continued.<\/p>\n \u201cBut by 2035 there may be other sites to consider such as Festival Square (due to come in line in Smithfield) or even indoor sites, which we expect to utilise for the UEFA EURO 2028.\u201d<\/p>\n How would the event be funded?<\/strong> Coun Sharon Thompson, deputy leader at Labour<\/a>-run Birmingham City Council<\/a>, addressed funding during a meeting this month.<\/p>\n She said that hosting costs \u201cin large\u201d would be met by the government, with a contribution from Birmingham Council and West Midlands Combined Authority.<\/p>\n Is Birmingham competing against other UK cities?<\/strong><\/p>\n Several other UK cities have expressed interest in becoming a host city, including Belfast, Cardiff, Leeds, Nottingham and Bristol.<\/p>\n \u201cBirmingham will be directly competing against many other core cities and first-class football stadia to become one of the selected host cities for the tournament,\u201d the council said.<\/p>\n \u201cHowever, its proven track record of delivering major sporting events and its fantastic transport links and good infrastructure puts it in a strong position to be one of the final English host cities selected.\u201d<\/p>\n What has Birmingham City Council said about the event and transport?<\/strong><\/p>\n Coun Thompson described the possibility of hosting the World Cup as an \u201cincredible opportunity for our city\u201d during this month\u2019s meeting.<\/p>\n \u201c[It would put] us on the global stage alongside other cities across the country and bring in economic growth, skills and jobs, which is much-needed,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n READ MORE: <\/strong>Popular Birmingham pub to build three-storey hotel as meeting told ‘the hospitality trade is tough’<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThis event would not only be about football but it\u2019s about celebrating women\u2019s sport \u2013 we\u2019re seeing that on the rise more and more every day.\u201d<\/p>\n Coun Majid Mahmood, cabinet member at the council, said it was a \u201cchance to showcase Birmingham as a confident, capable and world-class destination for major sporting events\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cHosting the Women\u2019s World Cup will [\u2026] highlight the investment made in our city, especially around our transport infrastructure,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n \u201cThe event will have a sustainable transport plan in place and we will set a target of 80 per cent of fans to travel by public transport.\u201d<\/p>\n What lessons will be learnt from the 2022 Commonwealth Games?<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"Chloe](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1761653235_380_0_JS376393761.jpg\")
Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo during the Euros 2025 final(Image: Andrew Stenning\/Daily Mirror)<\/p>\n\n
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Villa Park in Birmingham(Image: Nick Wilkinson\/Birmingham Live)<\/p>\n![\"Coun](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2_shazPNG.png\")
Coun Sharon Thompson(Image: BirminghamLive)<\/p>\n
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Apartments in Perry Barr in 2023<\/p>\n