Madrid and Baku want to host the Champions League final in 2027

Spain (Camp Nou, in Barcelona), Poland (National Stadium, in Warsaw), Switzerland (St. Jacob Park, in Basel), and Wales (National Stadium, in Cardiff) have expressed interest in hosting the women's final.

Madrid and Baku want to host the Champions League final in 2027
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The race to host the 2027 Champions League finals, both men's and women's, has officially begun, with cities from various countries expressing their interest in organizing one of the most prestigious events in European football.

UEFA revealed on Wednesday that Madrid and Baku have already submitted their interest in hosting the men’s final, with other cities signaling their desire to organize the women’s equivalent.

Madrid’s interest in hosting the men’s final centers around the Estadio Metropolitano, the home of Atlético Madrid, a venue that has already proven its capacity to host high-profile events. The stadium was the site of the 2019 Champions League final, where Liverpool triumphed over Tottenham. Madrid, with its football heritage and robust infrastructure, would likely be a strong contender in the race. The city has long been a focal point for European football, with both the Metropolitano and Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu frequently hosting major international events.

Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, has also thrown its hat into the ring, intending to host the final at the Olympic Stadium. Baku has been steadily positioning itself as a destination for major international sporting events. The city hosted the 2019 Europa League final, where Chelsea defeated Arsenal in an all-London affair. Known for its modern stadium and the ability to manage large-scale events, Baku could provide a unique venue for the 2027 final, bridging European and Asian football audiences.

UEFA clarified that while these expressions of interest are significant, they are not binding. This means that both Madrid and Baku, along with any other cities that may choose to enter the bidding process, will need to submit their final, formal bids by March 19, 2025. The process will involve detailed dossiers outlining how each city plans to manage logistics, security, fan experience, and the media presence that accompanies a global sporting event of this magnitude.

As for the women’s Champions League final in 2027, UEFA announced that four cities have shown interest in hosting this increasingly prominent event. Camp Nou in Barcelona is among the interested venues, aiming to host its first-ever Women’s Champions League final. The historic stadium, known for its size and atmosphere, would provide a fitting backdrop for the women’s game, further cementing Barcelona's commitment to women's football. The Barcelona women’s team has been one of the dominant forces in Europe in recent years, making Camp Nou a natural candidate to host the final.

Other contenders for the women's final include the National Stadium in Warsaw, Poland, and St. Jacob Park in Basel, Switzerland, both of which have hosted major finals in the past. Poland’s National Stadium hosted the 2012 UEFA European Championship final, while Basel’s St. Jacob Park was the site of the 2016 Europa League final. Both cities bring experience in organizing major football events and would be keen to showcase their capabilities in promoting women’s football on the biggest stage.

Cardiff’s National Stadium in Wales has also expressed interest in hosting the women’s final. The stadium has previously hosted the 2017 UEFA Champions League final, where Real Madrid defeated Juventus, and would be well-prepared to handle the complexities of hosting a women’s final in 2027.

The selection process for both the men’s and women’s finals is highly competitive, with UEFA reviewing each city's capabilities in terms of infrastructure, security, and fan engagement. While the final decision is still a few years away, each city will be looking to put forward its best case, emphasizing its experience and ability to handle one of the largest events in global sports.

In the meantime, UEFA has already confirmed the locations for upcoming finals. The women's Champions League final for the 2023-24 season will be held at the Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon, a city with a strong footballing tradition. The 2024-25 women's final will take place in Oslo, further demonstrating UEFA’s commitment to expanding the reach of the women’s game across Europe.

For the men's competition, the current edition’s final will take place in Munich’s Allianz Arena, a stadium known for its iconic design and history of hosting major football events, including the 2012 Champions League final. The 2024-25 men's final will be held in Budapest, Hungary, further expanding the geographical reach of the tournament across different parts of Europe.

The battle for hosting rights to the 2027 finals reflects the growing prestige of both the men’s and women’s competitions. Cities are eager to showcase their ability to host the sport’s biggest moments, while fans from around the world eagerly anticipate where the drama of these prestigious tournaments will unfold.