Old Trafford, Manchester United’s iconic home since 1910 and a cornerstone of football history, is set to feature prominently in the United Kingdom and Ireland’s unopposed bid for the 2035 Women’s World Cup. Announced on November 22, 2025, the joint proposal from the football associations of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland includes 22 potential venues, with Old Trafford listed in its current form despite ongoing redevelopment plans. This inclusion underscores the bid’s blend of heritage and ambition for the expanded 48-team tournament across the UK and Ireland, marking the second senior FIFA World Cup hosted there since England’s 1966 men’s edition. With ratification expected at FIFA’s 2026 Congress, Old Trafford’s participation could accelerate its £2 billion transformation, boosting women’s football’s growth amid the sport’s global surge.
Key Bid Highlights
- Venues: 22 proposed (16 England, 3 Wales, 2 Scotland, 1 Northern Ireland)
- Old Trafford Status: Current capacity (74,310)—upgrades targeted
- Tournament Scale: 48 teams, 104 matches over 39 days (July 2035)
- Hosts: UK & Ireland (unopposed bid)
- Draw Date: December 5, 2025 (Washington, D.C.)
- Legacy Focus: 48 team bases, 82 training sites, 32 fan zones
The bid’s vision: Turbocharge women’s game—participation, investment, equality.
Old Trafford’s Storied Past: From 1910 to Women’s World Cup Hope
Old Trafford: Opened 1910 (capacity 80,000)—United’s home for 115 years. Hosted 1966 WC final (England 4-2 West Germany); Euro 1996 semis; 2012 Olympic football.
Women’s football: First major match 2019 (Man Utd Women vs Man City Women)—record 28,000. 2025: Capacity for 74,310; women’s attendance up 40% YoY.
Redevelopment: March 2025 announcement—£2bn new stadium (100,000 capacity) or Stretford End rebuild (£1bn). Class of ’92 backed new build; Glazers favored refurb.
Bid inclusion: “Current form primary”—FIFA evaluates upgrades. Stroll—no, Stroll Aston Martin? United’s plans: Completion 2030-31—perfect timing.
Stroll—no, Ratcliffe: “Old Trafford in current form—viable. Upgrades align bid.”
The 2035 Women’s World Cup Bid: Ambitious Blueprint
UK/Ireland bid: Unopposed—FIFA Congress 2026 ratification.
Format: 48 teams (from 32)—12 groups of 4; top 2 +8 best thirds to R16 (32-knockout). 104 matches (from 64)—39 days (July 10-August 17, 2035).
Venues: Wembley (final likely); Old Trafford; Etihad; Emirates; Tottenham Stadium; Everton’s Bramley-Moore Dock (new 52,888); Birmingham Powerhouse (62,000 planned); Cardiff Millennium; Dublin Aviva; Belfast Casement Park (delayed, alternative?).
Training: 48 bases, 82 sites; fan zones 32.
Starmer: “Lionesses inspired—turbocharge women’s game. Benefits communities/business.”
Andreatta/Wiegman: “Unify nation—participation surge.”
FA/SFA/WFA/IFA CEOs: “Lasting legacy—2035 and beyond.”
Old Trafford Upgrades: Bid Catalyst for £2bn Vision
Current: 74,310 capacity—FIFA compliant (min 40,000). Women’s record: 28,000 (2019 Utd vs City).
Plans: Ratcliffe’s £1bn Stretford End rebuild (90,000 capacity by 2030) or full new stadium (£2bn, Class of ’92 backed).
Bid: “Upgrades pipeline—eligible.” Wembley: 90,000—final host.
Casement Park: Delayed (IRA bomb site)—£300m rebuild stalled; alternative Belfast venue.
Birmingham Powerhouse: 62,000—2030-31 completion.
Stok Cae Ras (Wrexham): Upgrades planned—FIFA-ready.
Bigger Picture: Women’s World Cup Growth and UK Legacy
WC history: 12 teams 1991; 16 1999; 24 2015; 32 2019; 48 2031 (UK 2035).
UK/Ireland: Second senior WC (after 1966 men). Euro 2028 bid: 9 venues (Old Trafford included).
Impact: 2035 WC: £2bn economic boost; 1m+ visitors; women’s participation +30%.
Starmer: “Momentum from Lionesses—communities thrive.”
Andreatta: “Unify—beyond beautiful game.”
Verdict: Old Trafford’s Bid Boost – Women’s WC Legacy Beckons
UK’s 2035 Women’s World Cup bid: Unopposed—22 venues, Old Trafford centerpiece.
Current form viable; £2bn upgrades accelerated—1966 echo.
Expanded 48 teams: Global growth; UK ready.
December 5 draw: Fate sealed—Old Trafford’s moment?
