Germany has officially thrown its hat into the ring to host the 2029 Women’s European Championship, unveiling an ambitious plan that would make tournament history by becoming the first to generate a profit while boosting female football participation across Europe.
The German Football Association (DFB) announced their candidacy with confidence, highlighting their extensive experience in hosting major women’s tournaments. Should they succeed, this would mark the third time Germany has hosted the Women’s Euros, adding to their impressive portfolio that includes the 2011 Women’s World Cup.
We believe our bid represents not just the future of women’s football in Germany, but a transformative step for the women’s game throughout Europe,” said a DFB spokesperson during the announcement. Our vision extends beyond simply hosting matches – we aim to create a sustainable economic model that can be replicated in future tournaments.
The eight-time European champions bring considerable pedigree to their bid. Die Nationalelf has dominated the competition historically, claiming six consecutive titles between 1995 and 2013, and reaching the semi-finals in ten of their twelve tournament appearances. This winning tradition forms a compelling backdrop to their hosting aspirations.
Germany’s proposal emphasizes state-of-the-art facilities, excellent infrastructure, and a passionate fanbase that has consistently supported women’s football. The DFB plans to utilize stadiums across the country that have previously hosted major international competitions, ensuring world-class venues for all matches.
However, the path to hosting rights is far from clear, with four other strong contenders vying for the prestigious tournament. Poland has submitted a bid after narrowly missing out on hosting the 2025 edition, while Scandinavian neighbors Denmark and Sweden have joined forces on a compelling joint proposal that would showcase women’s football across two countries with strong traditions in the sport.
Meanwhile, Italy and Portugal have also declared their intentions to host, both bringing unique perspectives and passionate football cultures to the table. Italy’s bid highlights their growing women’s professional league, while Portugal aims to build on the momentum generated by their men’s team’s recent successes.
UEFA’s bidding process will begin in earnest on March 12 when preliminary bids will be presented and assessed. The final decision will come via a vote by UEFA’s Executive Committee in December 2025, giving candidates more than a year to refine their proposals and garner support from other European football associations.
The German bid comes at a pivotal moment for women’s football in Europe. Participation rates have soared following the successful 2022 European Championship in England, which broke numerous attendance and viewership records. The 2025 tournament in Switzerland, scheduled for July 2-27, is expected to continue this upward trajectory.
What sets our bid apart is the economic vision,” explained a senior DFB official. “We’ve developed a financial framework that would allow the 2029 tournament to not merely break even but generate significant profits that could be reinvested into women’s football development programs across Europe.”
This profit-making strategy represents a watershed moment for women’s football, which has traditionally been viewed as requiring financial subsidization rather than generating independent revenue. Germany’s plan involves strategic commercial partnerships, innovative broadcast agreements, and attendance projections based on the country’s proven track record of supporting women’s football.
Sports economists have noted that a profitable Women’s Euros would represent a significant milestone in the commercial development of the women’s game. “The ability to demonstrate profitability would attract more investment, sponsors, and broadcast partners to women’s football,” said one industry analyst. “Germany’s market size and football infrastructure make this an achievable goal.”
Beyond the financial aspects, the DFB has emphasized legacy programs that would increase participation in women’s football at grassroots levels throughout Germany and neighboring countries. These initiatives include coaching development programs, facility improvements, and youth tournament structures designed to identify and nurture talent.
Poland’s competing bid focuses on their desire to showcase the growth of women’s football in Eastern Europe, while the Denmark-Sweden joint proposal emphasizes the sustainability and gender equality frameworks already embedded in Scandinavian sporting culture. Italy highlights their growing Serie A Femminile league, and Portugal emphasizes their improving national team program.
For UEFA, the robust competition between bidders reflects the growing prestige and importance of the Women’s European Championship. The tournament has evolved dramatically since its inception, transforming from a small event with limited commercial appeal to a major fixture on the international sporting calendar.
As the December 2025 vote approaches, each candidate will refine their proposals while seeking to convince UEFA’s Executive Committee of their vision for growing women’s football. Germany’s promise of profitability represents a bold new chapter for women’s football economics, but their competitors each bring compelling narratives of their own to this increasingly competitive bidding process.
