Redevelopment plans for Belfast’s Windsor Park include expanding its capacity to 23,750 to host matches at the 2035 Women’s World Cup, according to a FIFA report. The venue is part of a joint bid submitted by football governing bodies in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
Stadium Upgrades and FIFA Requirements
As the sole nominated stadium from Northern Ireland, Windsor Park must increase its capacity from the current 18,500 seats to comply with FIFA requirements allowing it to host matches up to the quarter-final stage. The FIFA report stated that further redevelopment is planned to lift the capacity to 23,750 by 2035. The report noted that these works are expected to enhance the stadium’s suitability as a modern international venue, and the stadium authority has committed to implementing the necessary upgrades to achieve compliance with minimum requirements.
In addition to the seating expansion, the redevelopment project involves installing a hybrid-grass system featuring tournament-compliant field-of-play dimensions alongside an upgrade to the floodlighting system. The Irish Football Association (IFA) has been contacted for comment regarding the proposals.
Wider Tournament Context
Windsor Park last underwent redevelopment in 2015, when the IFA received £28.75m from the Northern Ireland Executive to raise seating capacity to 18,500. Earlier plans for Northern Ireland to host matches during Euro 2028 were canceled after the government stated it could not fund the redevelopment of Casement Park in time for that tournament.
The UK-wide submission stands as the only bid put forward to host the 2035 tournament and is scheduled for ratification at the Extraordinary FIFA Congress on 23 November. Windsor Park joins 18 other venues in the joint bid, consisting of 14 stadiums in England, two in Scotland, and two in Wales.
English venues in the proposal include Villa Park, The Amex, Ashton Gate, Elland Road, Hill Dickinson Stadium, Emirates Stadium, Selhurst Park, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Wembley, Etihad Stadium, St James’ Park, The City Ground, Stadium of Light, and Old Trafford. Easter Road and Hampden Park represent Scotland, while Cardiff City Stadium and Principality Stadium serve as the Welsh locations.
Brazil is set to host the 2027 Women’s World Cup, and the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Jamaica submitted the sole bid for the 2031 tournament, which will expand to 48 teams from 32.
