Leeds United have announced that they will bid to stage games at Elland Road for the 2035 Women’s World Cup.
The United Kingdom bid to stage the tournament in 2035 is set to be unopposed, with locations in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland bidding for the right to host matches.
Leeds City Council is expected to approve the city making a formal bid at a meeting on Wednesday, September 17th.
The club’s website insists that the planned expansion of Elland Road would ‘make Leeds one of the leading candidates to be a host’.
Leeds United Chief Business Officer Morrie Eisenberg said: “We are thrilled at the prospect of bringing 2035 Women’s FIFA World Cup matches to Elland Road, which would be fantastic for both the club and the city.
“As part of our vision to enhance Elland Road, which would put it amongst the elite stadia in Europe, we want to host Premier League football and world-class events, and this is an amazing opportunity to do so.
“The women’s game has enjoyed huge growth over the past decade, which will only continue over the coming years and we want Elland Road to be part of that legacy, this is another example of the city and club coming together to drive positive impact for the Leeds community.”
🏟️ Leeds United’s Elland Road Stadium could be in line to host matches in the 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup
— Leeds United (@LUFC) September 9, 2025
Which other stadiums could host games at the 2035 Women’s World Cup?
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney plan to bring the 2035 Women’s World Cup to Wrexham.
The Wrexham Owners want a redeveloped Stoke Cae Ras – better known as the Racecourse Ground – to host matches at the 2035 Women’s World Cup.
Manchester United also have plans to stage games at the tournament, including the final.
The club previously unveiled ambitious plans for a new 100,000-seat stadium, close to their current Old Trafford ground.
Other stadiums likely to be in the mix to host matches include Wembley, Hampden Park in Scotland, Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium, St James’ Park in Newcastle, among more.
Leeds United’s expansion plans for Elland Road
Ahead of their bid for the 2035 Women’s World Cup, Leeds submitted a formal planning application to expand Elland Road to a 53,000-capacity stadium earlier this summer.
The proposal, which increases the capacity by 15,000, would make Elland Road the seventh-biggest football stadium in England.
Leeds United chief business officer Morrie Eisenberg said the plans would “revitalise” the stadium.
The move would allow Elland Road to host more events in the future.
Elland Road has already hosted England Women’s and Men’s matches. It has also hosted games at the 2015 Rugby Union World Cup and 2021 Rugby League Cup.
