The Government of Romania approved on Friday, October 27, the Government Decision regarding the declaration of public interest and national importance of Romania’s candidacy, with a view to holding in Bucharest, at the National Arena, the UEFA Europa League Final in 2026 or 2027.
This normative act supports Romania’s candidacy and the implementation of projects related to the holding of this 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.
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 today’s Government Decision will ensure the involvement of the state in all preparatory actions.
FRF designed a plan called My Football, My City, which includes 15 projects. The document was finalized already in September. The FRF presented the plan to the Prime Minister of Romania, Marcel Ciolacu, and the Mayor General, Nicușor Dan, and obtained their support in principle. These are, in particular, infrastructure projects, through which lost urban land for sports is returned to the Bucharest community. For example, soccer fields will be set up between the blocks. At the same time, the National Arena will be modernized, to technical and comfort standards at the level of 2025. Also, more bicycle lanes will be laid out on the routes to the stadium. The 15 projects also include educational and environmental protection, social inclusion and social responsibility programs. In case of obtaining the organization of the Europa League Final, all these projects will be carried out together with the Capital City Hall and the Government of Romania in the period 2024-2027.
FRF tested the opinion of ticket buyers at the matches of the National team and obtained, from 10,782 subjects, a rating of 9.6 out of 10 for the organization of the UEL Final.
At the same time, a UEFA research reveals that Romanians’ interest in the Europa League is 62% compared to the European average of 41%.
