Brighton eyes Women's World Cup football matches

Women's World Cup football could come to Brighton and Hove

Women's World Cup football could be coming to Brighton and Hove after councillors agreed to apply to become a host city.

England is expected to host the 2035 FIFA Women's World Cup along with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, being the only valid bid received by the organisers. A final decision is due in April.

Brighton and Hove City Council leader, Bella Sankey, said: "As a host city…we've already seen the amazing impact that elite women's sports can have."

Earlier this year, Brighton and Hove Albion's stadium at Falmer was one of the venues for the Women's Rugby World Cup Finals.

A report submitted to the council cabinet last week said this opportunity will create "a growing sporting legacy for the city".

It reads: "Successfully bidding to host the FIFA Women's Football World Cup in the city – the first time that England will host a Football World Cup event since 1966 – will generate worldwide exposure, foster beneficial social and cultural impacts for residents."

Should any proposed bid be successful, the Amex stadium is "likely to host a number of games within the group stages of the competition".

According to the report, hosting the UEFA Women's European Cup in 2022 generated £8 million for Brighton and Hove, the "highest gross value added yield of any host city".

Team bases and training sites may be required across the Sussex region, while Gatwick Airport "likely to have" more than 100,000 additional travellers.

The report to the cabinet also contained a note of caution about the council's financial position.

"The council does not have sufficient reserves to fund the tournament and has a significant budget gap from April 2026 onwards," it reads.

"Any decision to proceed needs clarity regarding how the council's commitment/liability will be met."

At least eight football grounds will be required for the 48-team tournament – up from the current 32-national finals.