October 31 – The Romanian government has confirmed it will support Bucharest’s bid to host the UEFA Europa League final in 2026 or 2027. The ‘normative support act’ was approved by the Romanian government at the end of last week.
“This normative act supports Romania’s candidacy and the implementation of projects related to the holding of that football event. The application file, which must guarantee UEFA’s organizational requests, will be submitted by the FRF in November 2023, and the winner will be announced in May 2024,” said the Romanian Football Federation (FRF) in a statement.
“The organization of a European cup final has coverage beyond a 90-minute match. It is an opportunity to capture resources and energies for the development of football and the community hosting the final. And the Government’s decision will ensure the involvement of the state in all preparatory actions.”
FRF has launched a campaign titled ‘My Football, My City’, which includes 15 projects. The document was finalised in September and the FRF presented the plan to the Romanian prime minister, Marcel Ciolacu, and the Bucharest Mayor General, Nicușor Dan, winning their support in principle.
The projects are principally infrastructure projects, through which lost urban land for sports will be returned to the Bucharest community.
At the same time, the National Arena (the largest stadium in Romania) will be modernised while more bicycle lanes will be created on routes to the stadium. The 15 projects also include educational and environmental protection, social inclusion and social responsibility programs. In Romania wins Europa League Final, all the projects will be carried out with support from the Capital City Hall and the Government of Romania in the period 2024-2027.
The FRF polled ticket buyers at national team matches finding that from a sample of 10,782, 9.6 out of 10 were in favour of Bucharest hosting the UEL Final.
Separate UEFA research found that Romanians’ interest in the Europa League is 62% of the sample polled compared to the European average of 41%.
Contact the writer of this story, Aleksander Krassimirov, at moc.l1722045844labto1722045844ofdlr1722045844owedi1722045844sni@o1722045844fni1722045844