Italy bid to host women's Euro 2029 ahead of co-hosting men's Euro 2032

Italy joined a busy bid race on Tuesday to host the 2029 European Championship in women's soccer, aiming to involve cities that will not stage games at the men's Euro 2032.

Italy is competing with Germany, Poland, Portugal and a joint Denmark-Sweden project in expressing interest in the marquee women's tournament to UEFA. The decision by UEFA's executive committee is due in December next year.

Across the Alps in neighboring Switzerland from Italy's announcement, the Women's Euro 2025 host launched ticket sales Tuesday for its tournament with a penalty shootout at 3,454 meters (11,333 feet) above sea level featuring former international players.

The 2025 edition, being played in Switzerland next July 2-27, and the 2029 tournament Italy wants to host are 16-team events using eight stadiums.

The men's Euro 2032 will be co-hosted by Italy and Turkey likely using five stadiums in each country for the 24-team, 51-game event.

Italian soccer federation president Gabriele Gravina said in a