Bulgarian Football Union to bid for U17 European Championships

June 17 – The Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) is preparing a bid to host the U17 European Championships in 2028 or 2029, the national association has announced.

The BFU’s idea is for the majority of the matches to be played in Plovdiv, the second largest city in Bulgaria, where two of the country’s most modern stadiums have been built in recent years.

The state is investing significant funds in both the construction of the Hristo Botev Stadium, as well as the Lokomotiv Stadium, with work ongoing and expected to be completed next year. The BFU announced that talks are currently underway with the Plovdiv Municipality to prepare the bid.

“The Bulgarian Football Union and the Municipality of Plovdiv are working closely together, preparing our country’s bid to host the U17 European Championship in 2028 or 2029,” a BFU statement read.

“Plovdiv has been selected as the main football centre for the project, where a large proportion of the competition matches will be held if Bulgaria is chosen to host the tournament.”

A vote by the UEFA Executive Committee will determine the host country. The 2026 and 2027 iterations of the competition will be held in Estonia and Latvia respectively, with Albania hosting this year’s tourney which was won by Portugal.

“The choice of the next host will be made during a meeting of the UEFA Executive Committee, scheduled for December 3,” the BFU announced.

Contact the writer of this story, Aleksander Krassimirov, at moc.l1750166709labto1750166709ofdlr1750166709owedi1750166709sni@o1750166709fni1750166709