Rostock Among Germany’s Shortlisted Cities for Women’s Euro 2029
Rostock has made the cut to the list of potential host cities for the UEFA Women’s Euro 2029 tournament. The German Football Association (DFB) announced the provisional shortlist of cities following a recent meeting in Frankfurt.
Alongside Rostock, ten other German cities remain in contention: Berlin, Dortmund, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Gelsenkirchen, Hannover, Cologne, Leipzig, Munich, and Wolfsburg. Bremen, Essen, and Hamburg were eliminated from the initial pool of 15 candidates, while Stuttgart had previously withdrawn due to financial constraints.
The tournament will feature 16 teams competing at eight venues. Hence, the DFB must further reduce its shortlist by three cities before the final submission on August 27, 2023.
"The fact that so many attractive locations are eager to join the UEFA Women’s Euro 2029 is further proof of the tremendous growth potential and development of women’s football in Germany," said DFB President Bernd Neuendorf. "We aim for a tournament that will foster the advancement of women’s football across borders."
Germany faces competition from Poland, Portugal, Italy, and a joint bid from Denmark and Sweden. The European football governing body UEFA will select the tournament host in December 2023.
The DFB must submit its preliminary bid documents to UEFA by March 12, 2023. The final eight host cities will be confirmed in June, giving the DFB until August 27 to submit the final documents.
Rostock is well-positioned to make a strong case for hosting matches. The city boasts a state-of-the-art stadium in the Ostseestadion, which has hosted several international matches and has a capacity of over 29,000. Additionally, Rostock has a history of organizing major sporting events and has a strong infrastructure to support the tournament.
The selection of Rostock as a host city would be a significant boost for the city and the surrounding region. It would bring international attention to Rostock, attract visitors, and provide a platform for local businesses. Furthermore, it would inspire young girls in the area to pursue their football dreams and promote gender equality in sports.
With its modern stadium, strong infrastructure, and unwavering support for women’s football, Rostock stands as a compelling choice to host matches at the UEFA Women’s Euro 2029. The city is eager to showcase its passion for the sport and contribute to the tournament’s success.