Staging of Women's Champions League final in Dublin could provide up to €17m economic dividend

The staging of the Women’s Champions League Final in Dublin in 2029 is estimated to provide an economic dividend of between €8 million to €17 million.

That is according to Minister for State at the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, Charlie McConalogue TD (FF), who has stated that provisional estimates suggest the potential cost to Government of hosting the event is approximately €3.25 million.

In a written Dáil reply to Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere on the issue, Minister McConalogue said that the estimated €3.25 million spend “includes policing, transport, host city costs and stadium operational costs”.

Last week, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) formally lodged its bid to host the Women’s Champions League Final here in Dublin in 2029, and the bid has the support of Government.

Dublin has already staged the men's Europa League finals in 2011 and 2024.

McConalogue said that the application “if successful, it would mark the first major women’s sports event to be held in Ireland”.

He said: “I understand that several bids are being made to host the event, and the UEFA Executive Committee will appoint the successful host later this year. Should the FAI bid be successful, this event represents a significant opportunity to increase the diversity of all who participate in football, particularly women and girls, and to further grow the women's game in Ireland. “

He added: “Hosting a major international sports event like this in Ireland provides a great opportunity for young people to see the world's best players up close. It could encourage young women and girls to take up football or remain in the sport, which is one of the key goals of the National Sports Policy.

McConalogue said that one of the key benefits of