German Football Association (DFB) Announces Shortlist for 2029 Women’s Euro
Bonn, February 24, 2023 – The German Football Association (DFB) has unveiled the 11 cities that will be included in its preliminary bid to host the UEFA Women’s Euro 2029. The announcement, made following a recent meeting of the DFB’s executive committee, sets the stage for the next phase of the bidding process.
Cities Shortlisted
After a comprehensive evaluation process, the following cities were selected for the DFB’s "shortlist":
- Berlin
- Dortmund
- Düsseldorf
- Frankfurt
- Gelsenkirchen
- Hannover
- Köln
- Leipzig
- München
- Rostock
- Wolfsburg
Evaluation Criteria
The DFB, without disclosing specific details, emphasized that the selection was based on "clearly defined and transparent criteria, which were primarily based on UEFA’s tournament requirements."
Rejection of Hamburg and Bremen
Hamburg and Bremen, two cities initially considered for the bid, were not included in the shortlist. The DFB did not provide any specific reasons for their exclusion.
Elimination of Three Cities
As the tournament will feature 16 teams competing at only eight venues, the DFB will need to eliminate three cities from its bid by the end of the application process on August 27.
Financial Impact of Hosting
DFB General Secretary Heike Ullrich highlighted the potential economic benefits of hosting the tournament, stating, "Hosting a European Championship would give us a lot of tailwind for the development of women’s football in Germany, but also throughout Europe. We want to sell more than 1 million tickets and thus be the first Women’s Euro in history to make a profit."
Competition and Timeline
The UEFA Executive Committee will make the final decision on the host nation in December 2023. Germany faces competition from Poland, Portugal, Italy, and a joint bid from Denmark and Sweden.
Next Steps
By March 12, the DFB must submit its preliminary bid to UEFA. The final bid, including the selection of the eight hosting cities, will be submitted by August 27.
Significance of the Bid
The Women’s Euro 2029 is a significant event for women’s football in Europe and beyond. Hosting the tournament would provide Germany with the opportunity to showcase its commitment to the sport and inspire a new generation of female players.
