North West venue included in 2021 Women’s European Championship tournament

Manchester City’s Academy Stadium will stage games in the 2021 Women’s European Championship after England was confirmed as competition host today.

European football’s governing body UEFA announced the award of the tournament to England.

The Football Association was the only bidder, but had to meet strict guidelines before being allowed to stage the tournament.

FA head of women’s football, Baroness Campbell, said: “This is fantastic news for the FA, the country and for the development of girls’ and women’s football in England.”

The final will be held at Wembley.

Alongside the Manchester City facilities, eight other venues were included in England’s bid, as well as the national stadium.

They are: Brighton & Hove Albion’s Amex Stadium, Brentford’s Community Stadium, MK Dons’ Stadium MK, Nottingham Forest’s City Ground, Peterborough’s Abax Stadium, Rotherham’s New York Stadium, Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane and Southampton’s St Mary’s Stadium.

England previously staged the tournament in 2005 at venues across the North West of the country with 29,092 watching the hosts’ opening win against Finland in Manchester – a record for an opening group match.