The U.S. Soccer Federation has identified 14 venues in the United States as part of its proposal for the 2031 Women’s World Cup, which will include 20 venues in total. Among these, seven stadiums will also be used for the men’s tournament occurring next year.
FIFA announced the hosting bids for the upcoming 2031 and 2035 Women’s World Cups on Friday. The U.S. will be bidding for 2031, alongside Mexico, Costa Rica, and Jamaica, while the U.K. is the sole bidder for 2035. A formal approval of the bid is anticipated during FIFA’s general meeting on April 30.
Alongside the 14 named cities, the proposal includes 26 additional U.S. stadiums deemed suitable for the tournament, which aims to attract 4.5 million fans and generate around $4 billion in revenue, significantly higher than the projected earnings for the Australia and New Zealand tournaments in 2023 and the 2027 games in Brazil.
Ticket prices for the opening match will start at $35, escalating to between $120 and $600 for the final. FIFA has not yet revealed ticket pricing for the men’s tournament next year, although it initially ranged from $60 to $6,730 and may vary due to dynamic pricing, with premium seating expected to represent 10-20% of most stadiums’ capacities in 2031.
A total of 50 locations submitted joint bids for 2031, but a final decision could take several years. The bidding document mentions that more cities may be added for consideration in the venue selection process.
With the need for at least 20 venues, the bidders express their commitment to ensuring an inclusive tournament that showcases global and regional diversity. The proposal includes cities that hosted matches during the 2026 World Cup, like Arlington, Atlanta, and Houston, as well as new contenders such as Charlotte and Denver.
Potential stadiums in Mexico for the women’s World Cup next year include venues in Mexico City and Guadalajara, with plans for new national stadiums in Jamaica and Costa Rica. Other U.S. venues that may be considered include Philadelphia and Santa Clara, while some cities like Chicago are absent from the list after withdrawing their bids due to financial terms.
Possible additional venues in Mexico could be Pachuca and Queretaro, with alternatives in Costa Rica as well. Organizers are also planning fan festivals and viewing parties to accompany the event, projecting marketing and sponsorship revenues at $1.4 billion.
Fan Take: This announcement is crucial as it promises to elevate the visibility and importance of women’s soccer, bringing more fans into the fold. If successful, it could signify a major step toward gender equality in sports, paving the way for a future in which women’s soccer receives the recognition it deserves.
