Italy have dropped out of the running to host the 2029 Women’s European Championship.
The country which reached the semi-finals of Euro 2025, previously expressed interest earlier in the process.
However, UEFA have announced that they have withdrew from the race, leaving four contenders who now move forward to the final stage of evaluation.
UEFA confirms four bidders for Women’s Euro 2029
UEFA has confirmed that they have received bids from Germany, Poland and Portugal who have each submitted solo applications for Euro 2029.
Italy had also been expected to put forward a solo application for Women’s Euro 2029 but have decided against so.
Meanwhile, Sweden and Denmark are combining their efforts in a joint proposal.
In a brief statement, UEFA said: “Bid dossiers were submitted by the football associations of Denmark and Sweden (a joint bid), Germany, Poland and Portugal. UEFA also received confirmation from the football association of Italy that it has withdrawn its candidacy.”
Italy though are expected to co-host the men’s Euro 2032 competition alongside Turkey.
Which of the counties have hosted a Women’s Euros before?
Germany enters the picture with perhaps the strongest historical record.
The German national team has won the tournament eight times, more than any other country, and the nation has twice staged the competition in 1989 and 2001.
In June, Germany confirmed their planned host cities if they win the rights for the tournament, which didn’t include Berlin.
Seven of the eight proposed venues boast capacities exceeding 40,000 seats, a marked contrast with Switzerland’s largest stadium for Euro 2025, which will hold 34,000.
NEWS 🗞️ | 4 bids have been submitted to UEFA to host Euro 2029:
🇩🇰🇸🇪 Denmark + Sweden (joint)
🇩🇪 Germany
🇵🇱 Poland
🇵🇹 PortugalItaly have withdrawn. Decision to be made on 3 December at UEFA’s Executive Committee meeting. pic.twitter.com/bEu3yLJiXw
— Girls on the Ball (@GirlsontheBall) August 29, 2025
The German Football Federation has also pledged to sell more than one million tickets, signaling both strong infrastructure and confidence in supporter demand.
Sweden also has experience as hosts. They welcomed the tournament in 2013 and earlier joined Norway in co-hosting the 1997 edition.
Their planned co-hosts for Euro 2029, Denmark, held the tournament by themselves back in 1991.
Portugal and Poland would each be newcomers if selected. Neither country has previously hosted a women’s football tournament. Both, however, can point to their track record with the men’s game, as Portugal hosted the 2004 Euros and Poland co-hosted with Ukraine in 2012.
What happens next?
UEFA will announce the winning bid on December 3 at its headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.
The chosen host or hosts will be tasked with staging what is expected to be one of the most-watched and most commercially successful Women’s Euros yet. With four compelling candidates in the running, the decision will shape not just the tournament itself but the continued growth of women’s football across the continent.
