Application Submitted: ÖFB Wants to Host U21 EURO 2029

The Austrian Football Association wants to host the UEFA U21 EURO 2029.

The ÖFB announced via press release that the final bid concept was submitted today, Monday, for this purpose.

"Hosting the UEFA U21 EURO would represent a great opportunity for Austrian football as a whole. Accordingly, we have prepared and elaborated our application very intensely. I thank the dedicated bid team, which has put a lot of passion into the project. Such a tournament brings top international football to the country, puts the next generation of players in the spotlight, and at the same time creates sustainable impulses for football," said ÖFB Supervisory Board Chairman Josef Pröll.

Eight Stadiums, Including Rapid, Austria & LASK

For the bid, the ÖFB is entering the race with the following eight stadiums:

• Franz-Horr-Stadion (FK Austria Wien)

• Weststadion (SK Rapid)

• Stadion St. Pölten (SKN St. Pölten)

• Donauparkstadion (FC Blau-Weiß Linz)

• Oberösterreich Arena (LASK)

• Innviertel Arena (SV Ried)

• Tivoli Stadion Tirol (FC Wacker Innsbruck, WSG Tirol)

• Stadion Schnabelholz (SCR Altach)

The bid concept was developed by a seven-member organizational team of the ÖFB under the external leadership of Wolfgang Gramann.

Together, "a broad, viable concept" was devised, which "is intended to serve as a basis for making the UEFA U21 EURO 2029 a unifying football festival for associations, players, and fans from Austria and abroad," the ÖFB announced via press release.

Spain Also Shows Interest

"Since the beginning of the bidding process, we have been in close and trusting exchange with UEFA. This involves not only the organizational requirements for such a tournament but also the sports-political significance of a U21 EURO for Austria and the creation of legal frameworks. In this context, I would also like to thank the relevant political bodies and employees who not only encouraged us in our endeavor but also provided us with much support in creating the framework conditions, as they did for the successful hosting of the UEFA Super Cup," says ÖFB General Secretary Thomas Hollerer.

"The bid was an intensive process. We gave much thought to the selection of stadiums, but naturally also to the general concept of the tournament and its economic viability.  When choosing the venues, we deliberately opted for these eight stadiums, which with their capacities are very well suited to the expected conditions of a U21 EURO and allow for widespread presence in Austria. Our goal was to combine compact and atmospheric venues with strong regional roots," said Bernhard Neuhold, Managing Director of ÖFB Wirtschaftsbetriebe GmbH.

The final decision on hosting the UEFA U21 EURO 2029 will be made by the UEFA Executive Committee on December 7. In addition to Austria, Spain has also expressed interest in hosting the tournament.