Nottingham will host international women’s football matches in 2021 if the Football Association’s bid for England to host the UEFA Women’s European football tournament is successful.

Notts County FC’s Meadow Lane stadium is one of eight named in the FA’s bid, including Wembley to stage the final.

The FA has submitted its bid today (August 29), with a decision on the successful host nation to be taken by UEFA in December. Brighton, Milton Keynes, Manchester, Peterborough, Rotherham and Sheffield would also host matches if the bid succeeds. Four matches would take place at Meadow Lane, with the hope that they would each attract crowds of 20,000, along with a massive TV audience.

The City Council has worked with Notts County FC to support their ground forming part of the FA’s bid – with host cities expected to gain a huge boost to their economies from visitors and media coverage helping to publicise them as destinations for tourists and sports fans.

City Council Leader, Cllr Jon Collins, said: “The UEFA Women’s European Championship is the most significant women’s national football team competition in Europe. We’re pleased that working with Notts County FC, we have secured Nottingham as a host city for 2021 in the event that the FA’s bid is successful. This would provide a good opportunity to shine a global spotlight on Nottingham as a great sporting and tourism destination.

“We could expect around 80,000 fans to attend the four matches which would be staged here, bringing a huge boost to the local economy, along with an estimated global TV audience of 165 million. It would be a chance for us to stage another top class sporting event and to bring women’s football to a new family and young crowd, which would increase the opportunities for women and girls to play football.”

Notts County chairman and owner Alan Hardy said: “We are absolutely delighted that the FA see us a worthy host for this prestigious tournament.

“At Notts County we are staunchly supportive of the development of women’s football and have recently set up a girls’ academy and women’s team which will provide a sustainable, professional platform for player development.

“Should the FA’s bid be successful, this would be hugely exciting news for the city and we await the outcome with great anticipation.”

Martin Glenn, The FA’s chief executive officer, said: “Our bid to host UEFA Women’s EURO 2021 reflects our strong commitment to supporting and growing women’s and girl’s football in England.

“We have invested heavily in the women’s game in recent years and the opportunity to bring the tournament to England would represent a landmark moment for women’s football in this country. Our aim is to make UEFA Women’s EURO 2021 the biggest and best showcase for women’s football ever seen in Europe.”