Brighton could become host city for 2035 Women's World Cup

At a meeting held on Thursday, November 13, the cabinet discussed the submission of a bid by Brighton and Hove City Council to be a host the 2035 Fifa Women’s World Cup.

The UK looks almost certain to host the 2035 Women's World Cup after Fifa president Gianni Infantino described its interest as the "one valid bid" for the finals.

Fifa will make a decision on the UK's bid by April 2026.

It will then decide on the final selection of between 14 and 16 host cities in 2030.

Other cities hoping to host include Leeds, Birmingham, Nottingham and Glasgow.

Brighton was chosen as one of eight cities to host Women’s Rugby World Cup matches this summer.

“After significant success as a host city for Men’s and Women’s Rugby World Cups in 2015 and 2025 respectively and the Uefa Women’s Euros in 2022, Brighton and Hove has developed a reputation as a key host city location for international sport and especially international women’s sport,” a council report read.

“Successfully bidding to host the Fifa Women’s Football World Cup to the city, the first time that England will host a Football World Cup event since 1966, will generate worldwide exposure, foster beneficial social and cultural impacts for residents and business, and create a growing sporting legacy for the city and the wider Sussex region.

“When Brighton and Hove hosted the Uefa Women’s European Cup in 2022, it leveraged the highest Gross Value Added (GVA) yield of any host city of £8m due, in part, to extended stays and overnights from fans.

“Sussex as a region is particularly well placed to capitalise on the 2035 competition, with Gatwick Airport likely to have more than 100,000 additional visitors, and with the Amex Stadium likely to host a number of games within the group stages of the competition. Outside of the public games there will also be requirements for team bases and training sites that will likely be across the Sussex region.”

The report details the predicted benefits of Brighton and Hove becoming a host city, including increased tourism, global media exposure, social impact, volunteer opportunities and environmental initiatives.

The cabinet argues that becoming a host city would improve health and fitness in the city.

“Large scale sports events inspire residents to adopt healthy lifestyles and become more physically active. They can foster a sense of community and a celebration of well-being in the city.”

Another listed justification is the impact on equality and the promotion of women’s sport.

“Women’s sport has strong reputation for enhancing community ties and welcoming people with protected characteristics. The expansion of the women’s game is providing greater opportunities for women to be involved in sport and develop skills in elite sport.

“Women are under-represented in 6 Elite football, and the coverage of the Women’s World Cup helps to raise the profile of the game, increase participation and address historic discrimination.”

The cabinet concluded that the bid presents an “opportunity to leverage economic benefits to the wider Sussex region” but needs to be considered “taking full account of the challenging financial situation of the Council”.