Rostock disappointed: No women's European Championship game in 2029 in the Ostseestadion!

Rostock disappointed: No women's European Championship game in 2029 in the Ostseestadion!

Today we have unpleasant news for all sports fans in Rostock. The decision by the German Football Association (DFB) to remove the Ostseestadion from the list of venues for the 2029 Women's European Football Championship is causing disappointment in the Hanseatic city. Rostock's sports senator Steffen Bockhahn made it clear that they viewed this decision as "extremely regrettable" and hoped for an explanation of the background. This reports NDR.

Rostock does not make the decision alone; Well-known cities such as Berlin and Gelsenkirchen have also withdrawn from the bid for the European Championship. The remaining venues are now Dortmund, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt/Main, Hanover, Cologne, Leipzig, Munich and Wolfsburg. DFB President Bernd Neuendorf expressed optimism about the selection of these cities. However, the frustration in Rostock remains palpable, as the city has both a strong interest in football and the opportunity to play games in a newer stadium.

Rostock's sporting past

The Ostseestadion has seen international events in the past. The last time the spectators were able to cheer on the German women's national team against Denmark was in December 2023, where Germany impressed with a clear 4-1 win. The stadium was extremely well attended for this and another game in April 2024 against Poland, which was also sold out. This shows that Rostock has what it takes to host major sporting events and that the interest of the fans is unbroken.

But there are still further challenges ahead. The German women's team has a critical journey ahead of them. An important game to qualify for the Olympic Games is coming up, and a win is the be-all and end-all for the German players' chances. The cancellation of the European Championship games in Rostock could not only influence the mood, but also the future prospects for women's football in the region.

Looking into the future

The DFB's decision is now followed by the obligation to submit the final documents to UEFA by August 27, 2025. The final decision on the venues will be made by the UEFA Executive Committee at the end of 2025. And it's not just Germany that is applying to host the Women's European Championship; Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Portugal and Italy are also aiming for the organization, thereby demonstrating the competition and the increasing interest in women's football.

Germany has hosted the European Women's Championships twice in the past, in 1989 and 2001. Even if the current decision against Rostock did not take the expected positive turn, the hope remains that the city will be put in a better light for future events. Discussions about men's and women's sports are increasingly coming into focus, and the pressure on those responsible to recognize the importance of women's football is constantly growing.

When asked what the next steps will be, it remains to be seen how Rostock and other cities will react to this decision. The fact is, the fans in Rostock remain an important and passionate part of this movement. Let’s stay excited about the coming developments!