Football Ground Map
Football Ground Map
With the bidding process for the 2027 Women's World Cup fast approaching, the United States is getting its ducks in a row.
The USA is already hosting the 2026 Men's World Cup, which will give them an ideal preparation for the 2027 event if they are chosen as the hosts for the latter. One of the considerations for a stadium to participate in a World Cup is having a significant capacity, as nations want to get as many fans into the ground as possible.
Below are the five stadiums that fit the bill for women's football, ranked according to their capacity.
Playing soccer in the Rose Bowl would be a dream for any American player. The Los Angeles-based stadium is also among the nation's best and latest in football, given its recent upgrades.
With a capacity of 92,000, the Rose Bowl may even be the venue for the World Cup Final in 2027. While there are other stadiums competing for the honor, the Rose Bowl does have the competition beat on capacity. No other stadium in the USA can get 90,000 people in for a football game.
The Rose Bowl also has a lot of history, including Mia Hamm's iconic celebrations in the 1999 World Cup.
A World Cup in the United States would not be the same without time spent in and around New York City. MetLife Stadium is the largest soccer stadium in the country on the East Coast, making it an ideal venue for the World Cup in 2027.
The stadium has a capacity of 82,000, making it one of the largest in the nation for any sport. Located in East Rutherford, the venue has hosted games in the 1994 World Cup, 1999 World Cup, and the 2016 Copa America Centenario. It will also host many games at the 2026 World Cup, with the final possibly taking place here.
One of the newer stadiums on this list, State Farm Stadium in Arizona, is another outstanding venue for soccer. The Glendale-based stadium can fit more than 72,000 people and has an excellent reputation for hosting NFL games.
While most newer NFL stadiums have artificial turf, State Farm Stadium has real grass, which makes it ideal for soccer. Surprisingly, the United States is not including the stadium in its lineup for the 2026 World Cup.
Arizona-based soccer fans may get their chance to see their heroes in 2027 instead. The stadium is one of the largest for women's soccer and is in a part of the country that is growing as a soccer hub.
A stunning venue in the San Francisco Bay Area, Levi's Stadium is the home of the San Francisco 49ers NFL franchise. The stadium is also well equipped to host top-class soccer games, having held four matches at the 2016 Copa America Centenario.
When the United States hosts the World Cup in 2026, Levi's Stadium will be one of the eleven venues. Even though the semi-finals or final is unlikely to take place there, Levi's could host a quarter-final match. The Bay Area did get a chance to host women's soccer at the 1999 World Cup, with those matches taking place at the Stanford Stadium.
The US women last played in the area at Avaya Stadium, which was a sell-out. The Bay Area has long been the home of devout soccer fans.
Even though American men and women rarely play national team games in Seattle, the area has a passionate soccer following. The Seattle Sounders have ensured that MLS and soccer will have a lasting positive impact on the region.
With a massive 68,000-seater stadium, Seattle will play host to important games at the 2027 World Cup, should the USA be chosen as the hosts. There were several games during the 2016 Copa America Centenario at Lumen Field, and the venue will also host a few 2026 World Cup games.
The United States is almost certain to include all five above stadiums in their bid for the 2027 World Cup. Being chosen as the host for the event will not be easy, even with the nation's hosting of the 2026 Men's World Cup.
Brazil is putting in a bid, while there is also a bid from the South African Football Association. The USA will also have to compete against bids from Belgium, Netherlands, and Germany.
Given the USA bid is a joint proposal that includes Mexico, the stadiums we have listed will be joined by high-capacity venues such as Azteca, Olimpico Universitario, and Jalisco.
All good things have to come to an end, and the same unfortunately has to be said for football stadiums too. This article looks at the grounds which are soon to host their last match, the stadiums whose days are numbered and where fans will be watching their football from next.
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