The UEFA Futsal Euro 2026 bidding process entails the bids for the UEFA Futsal Euro 2026. The hosting rights were given to Latvia and Lithuania on 2 December 2023, with Slovenia added later on to accommodate Belarus.
Hosting requirements The tournament would continue the format of the 2022 editions, with a total of 32 matches taking place for a duration of up to 20 days, with 16 teams competing in the tournament.
The requirements for the stadiums were as follows: 2 arenas, either in the same city or in two cities with a maximum of three hours away from each other 2 arenas, one with a capacity of 7,500 seats and the other with 4,500 seats 1 quality training facility per arena
Schedule DateNotes7 December 2022, 18:00 CETDeadline for national associations to confirm their interest to bid12 December 2022Bid requirements are made available to the bidders17 May 2023, 12:00 CETPreliminary bid dossier submission deadline11 October 2023, 12:00 CETFinal bid dossier submission deadline2 December 2023Appointment of hosts of UEFA Futsal Euro 2026
Bids The following countries applied:
and
Belgium Belgium was one of the applicants for the UEFA Futsal Euro 2026. Originally working with France for a potential joint bid, they decided to go alone soon after. Belgium have previously hosted the event in 2014 and the final four of the UEFA Futsal Champions League in 2002–03.
Finland On 23 May 2023, Finland announced their candidacy for the tournament. Their proposed venues are the Espoo Metro Areena in Espoo and the Tampere Ice Stadium in Tampere. The Finnish Football Association states that their previous experience with hosting UEFA tournaments, such as the 2018 UEFA European Under-19 Championship and 2022 UEFA Super Cup will help their bid, alongside the Finns growing passion for futsal. Ari Lahti, chairman of the Finnish Football Association said:
While futsal development manager, Kirsi Nummela, says:
Overview of venues The Espoo Metro Areena has hosted the 2019 IIHF Women's World Championship, 2022 World Ringette Championships and 2023 European Figure Skating Championships. It was constructed in 1999.
The Tampere Ice Stadium has hosted the World Ice Hockey Championships in 1965, 1982, 1991, 1997, 2003. It also hosted the 1992 IIHF Women's World Championship and 2021 Men's European Volleyball Championship. It was the main venue in the city before the Nokia Arena was built.
Venues in Finland Espoo Tampere Espoo Metro Areena Tampere Ice Stadium Capacity: 8,500 Capacity: 7,000
France On 17 November 2023, France announced their bid for the UEFA Futsal Euro 2026, with the capital, Paris, as the host city. For the bid, the French plans to have an eco-friendly and sustainable approach, with the tournament taking place within a radius. This application is also part of the French Football Federation's plan to overhaul and invest in the sport. The federation also wants to use the momentum of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris to bring more sports events to France. France have never hosted the event before, but has hosted the final four of the 2024–25 UEFA Futsal Champions League in Le Mans.
Overview of venues The Adidas Arena is a recently built arena that hosted the badminton and rhythmic gymnastics event at the 2024 Summer Olympics, followed by the para badminton and powerlifting at the 2024 Summer Paralympics. It is the home court for Paris Basketball and recently organised the 2025 BWF Badminton World Championships.
The Stade Pierre de Coubertin is a small arena that formerly hosted some tennis events and now hosts Paris Saint-Germain Handball games.
Venues in France Paris Paris Adidas Arena Stade Pierre de Coubertin Capacity: 9,000 Capacity: 3,600
Latvia and Lithuania Latvia and Lithuania originally filed two solo bids before deciding to jointly bid. The merge happened in September 2023. The final would be held in Riga. Neither have hosted the event, but Lithuania has organised the 2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup, while Latvia previously held the 2019 UEFA Under-19 Futsal Championship and the final four of the 2021–22 UEFA Futsal Champions League.
Overview of venues The Žalgiris Arena in Kaunas is the largest arena in the Baltics. The venue has held EuroBasket 2011 and the 2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup.
The Xiaomi Arena is Latvia's biggest indoor venue. Based in Riga, it has hosted various event including: EuroBasket in 2015 and 2025, the EuroBasket Women in 2009 and 2019, IIHF World Championship in 2006, 2021 and 2023 and the 2016 Men's World Floorball Championships.
Venues in Latvia and Lithuania Kaunas Riga Žalgiris Arena Xiaomi Arena Capacity: 15,415 Capacity: 9,975
Withdrawn bids Belgium and France Belgium and France were originally bidding together for the UEFA Futsal Euro 2026. The joint bid quietly failed to materialise and both nations chose to bid alone. Belgium have previously hosted the event in 2014.
Latvia On 8 December 2022, president of the Latvia Football Federation, Vadim Łashenko, stated that Latvia expressed an interest in hosting. He further stated that they received positive feedback from UEFA after their past hosting of UEFA events and that they were negotiating with Arena Riga (later renamed Xiaomi Arena) and the Rimi Olympic Centre about hosting the competition. Regarding the bid, Vadim Łashenko said this:
Latvia have previously held the 2019 UEFA Under-19 Futsal Championship and the final four of the 2021–22 UEFA Futsal Champions League. Latvia's solo bid ended once they merged their bid with Lithuania's.
Overview of venues The Xiaomi Arena is Latvia's biggest indoor venue. Based in Riga, it has hosted various event including: EuroBasket in 2015 and 2025, the EuroBasket Women in 2009 and 2019, IIHF World Championship in 2006, 2021 and 2023 and the 2016 Men's World Floorball Championships.
The Rimi Olympic Centre has hosted the 2016 Men's World Floorball Championships and 2021 as secondary arenas. The venue is also the home court for several basketball teams.
Venues in Latvia Riga Riga Xiaomi Arena Rimi Olympic Centre Capacity: 9,975 Capacity: 6,200
Lithuania On 17 December 2022, Lithuania decided to apply to become the hosts. Lithuania have never hosted this tournament but did hold the 2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup. Lithuanian Football Federation general secretary, Edgaras Stankevičius said:
In June 2023, after a meeting with UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin, Edgaras Stankevičius said Lithuania's had a good chance of winning. Lithuania's solo bid ended once they merged their bid with Latvia's.
Overview of venues The Žalgiris Arena in Kaunas is the largest arena in the Baltics. The venue has held EuroBasket 2011 and the 2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup.
The Twinsbet Arena in Vilnius has hosted EuroBasket 2011 and the 2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup. Plus, numerous high-profile concerts have taken place here.
Venues in Lithuania Kaunas Vilnius Žalgiris Arena Twinsbet Arena Capacity: 15,415 Capacity: 10,000
Host announcement On 2 December 2023, Latvia and Lithuania were awarded the hosting rights in Hamburg, Germany. This marks the first time the Futsal Euro is co-hosted and the first UEFA tournament to have three nations hosting (excluding UEFA Euro 2020 as twelve cities across Europe hosted the event). This will also be the first time a senior UEFA national team tournament is held in the Baltics.
Slovenia added as a co-host However, problems emerged with the hosting arrangement after Belarus qualified, with neither country willing to host them due to the Russo-Ukrainian war. UEFA was supposed to make a decision in May 2025 but it was delayed. On 27 June 2025, Slovenia were added as a third co-host, with two venues in Ljubljana. The plan was approved by the Slovenian government as well. Belarus and Kazakhstan also stated an interest in hosting the event. The arrangement is very similar to the India and Pakistan cricket arrangement where neither side can play a world cup in the other country, so a neutral venue has to be found. Arena Stožice and Tivoli Arena have been selected by Slovenia.
Regarding the announcement of Slovenia becoming hosts, Slovenian Football Association president, Radenko Mijatović, said:
Overview of venues Ljubljana's Arena Stožice is Slovenia's biggest arena. Built in 2010, it has since hosted EuroBasket 2013, UEFA Futsal Euro 2018, 2019 Men's European Volleyball Championship, 2022 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship, 2022 European Women's Handball Championship and EuroBasket Women 2023.
The Tivoli Arena in Ljubljana has organised the 2004 European Men's Handball Championship and EuroBasket 2013. Before Slovenian independence, it also held various championships as Yugoslavia. The facility is primarily used for ice hockey.
Venues in Slovenia Ljubljana Ljubljana Arena Stožice Tivoli Arena Capacity: 12,480 Capacity: 4,500
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