The UEFA Executive Committee has designated Bucharest and the National Arena as official hosts for the 2028 UEFA Europa League Final. The decision reconfirms Romania’s capacity to organise sporting events of the highest continental standard.

Following a rigorous analysis of the bids submitted by the candidate federations, the Nyon-based body placed its trust in Romania’s capital. The National Arena will once again don the festive attire of European football in 2028, sixteen years after hosting its first UEFA final in 2012 and following the successful staging of matches at EURO 2020, the U21 EURO in 2023 and the U19 EURO in 2025.

“Hosting the Europa League final in Bucharest represents the strongest signal of confidence from the UEFA President and my colleagues on the UEFA Executive Committee in the development strategy I have proposed for professional club football in Romania. This is a unique window of opportunity for professional football in our country to enter a period of acceleration in the coming years, in order to make the most of its full potential from a sporting, business and social standpoint. The designation of Bucharest also represents a major event in sporting diplomacy that will strengthen our country’s brand. This victory is yet further confirmation that, where there is a shared vision, professionalism and exemplary institutional collaboration, Romania can win the most important projects on the international stage,” said the President of the Romanian Football Federation, Răzvan Burleanu.

The success of this bid was made possible by a joint effort and impeccable institutional synergy. On this occasion, the Romanian Football Federation thanks the strategic partners of this project: the Romanian Government and Bucharest City Hall. Through the establishment of a dedicated inter-ministerial committee and the ongoing support provided throughout the entire process of preparing the bid, the central and local authorities have shown that supporting elite sport and sporting infrastructure can be a national priority.

The integrated Football – Community – Business – Sustainability project, which underpinned the bid, will turn the organisation of this final into a benchmark model for Central and Eastern Europe, generating long-term economic, social and image-related benefits for the whole community.

The RFF team, experienced in organising major sporting events (European final tournaments: EURO 2020, U21 EURO 2023 and U19 EURO 2025), will shortly begin preparations alongside UEFA specialists to guarantee a memorable experience for all supporters and official delegations arriving in Bucharest.