Newcastle and Sunderland proposed as a host cities for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2035
Written by Charlie Walker on 28th November 2025
Newcastle and Sunderland are two of 16 cities shortlisted in the UK’s attempt to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2035.
Newcastle United’s St James’ Park and Sunderland’s Stadium of Light are among the 22 stadiums included in the potential hosting of the competition.
The four Home Nations Football Associations, supported by the UK government, Scottish Government, Welsh Government, and Northern Ireland Executive, submitted their joint bid on November 28.
If successful, the tournament would be the largest single-sport event ever held in the UK, along with the first FIFA World Cup staged in the country since England’s victory in in 1966.
Cllr Karen Kilgour, leader of Newcastle City Council, said: “The incredible recent successes of the Lionesses have elevated interest and participation in women’s sports to new heights, and it’s so exciting for Newcastle and the wider region to be at the heart of such a momentous occasion as the FIFA Women’s World Cup.”
On the potential spotlight for the region, cllr Kilgour said: “Putting local rivalries aside, and joining forces with Sunderland to position the North East front and centre of the biggest football competition of them all, is a rare opportunity to showcase our proud region to the world and inspire a generation of women and girls.”
In addition, North East mayor Kim McGuinness expressed her delight at the plans, saying: “The North East lives and breathes football, and the women’s and girls’ game is as vibrant here as anywhere in the country – or even the world.”
She added: “We want to make the North East the UK’s first Region of Sport – a place where every child growing up gets to experience the joy taking part in sport brings, and that’s also about bringing the big events here to inspire our future potential superstars to take that first step towards their dreams.
“Bringing the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2035 to the home of football would be amazing, and I’m committed to helping make that happen.”
To see other cities and stadia included in the bid, click on the link here: Proposed Stadiums
