Manchester United and the FA reportedly plan to stage the 2035 Women’s World Cup final at a new £2 billion Old Trafford rather than Wembley.
Senior figures across the game believe United intend to bring the world’s biggest women’s match to Manchester as part of their stadium rebuild plan.
[The Daily Mail reports] United have declined to comment publicly, but their internal strategy is becoming clearer, with the club wanting the fixture to launch a regenerated Old Trafford.
The move has gained momentum after £26 million was confirmed for new homes in the Old Trafford Regeneration Area. This funding forms part of Mayor Andy Burnham’s wider “Growth Plan”, a long-term project designed to elevate Greater Manchester by 2050.
Burnham’s vision includes 15,000 homes and a stadium capable of seating 100,000 spectators. He described the plan as a defining moment that signals the region’s ambition to rival major world cities.
United’s stadium project depends on acquiring a crucial rail terminal behind the Stretford End, currently owned by Freightliner. Negotiations are ongoing, and securing the land would allow a full stadium rebuild rather than a renovation.
Although refurbishment has not been ruled out, the club’s preferred option is a complete five-year rebuild. Behind closed doors, officials have already mapped out their biggest target: hosting the 2035 Women’s World Cup final in Manchester.
Senior figures believe the proposed new venue would surpass Wembley in capacity, technology, comfort and atmosphere. They argue the final should not be restricted to London and that the North deserves its own world-class showcase.
The club also accept that pushing for the final may unsettle the FA, which typically places Wembley at the heart of major events. Even so, United are prepared to present their case to both the FA and FIFA.
Responding to Burnham’s announcement, United COO Collette Roche welcomed the regeneration initiative.
He said: “We want to build the world’s best football stadium… and a venue fit for the biggest international events, including the 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup.”
Roche added that the club wants government support for infrastructure and regeneration rather than the stadium build itself, saying the plan aligns with national growth priorities.
Economists say the scale of the project is vast. Oxford Economics estimates the redevelopment could add £7.3 billion to the UK economy annually, create 92,000 jobs, deliver 17,000 new homes and attract 1.8 million additional visitors each year.