Poland is once again dreaming of a great football festival. The Polish Football Association (PZPN) has officially confirmed that it is considering submitting a candidacy to host the European Football Championship in 2036. After the organizational success of Euro 2012, which Poland co-hosted with Ukraine, the appetite for another great tournament is growing. Will the white and red colors once again dominate the stadiums in Warsaw, Gdańsk or Wrocław after 24 years?
Euro 2012 brought Poland modern stadiums, such as the PGE National Stadium in Warsaw, the Silesian Stadium in Chorzów, and facilities in Gdańsk, Poznań, and Wrocław. Although some of them would require expansion to meet current UEFA requirements (at least 10 stadiums, including one with a capacity of 60,000, two with 50,000, four with 40,000, and three with 30,000), Poland has solid foundations. In social media, fans point to the stadiums of Wisła Kraków, Górnik Zabrze, Legia Warsaw, Lechia Gdańsk, and Widzew Łódź as potential arenas for the tournament.
The Polish Football Association emphasizes that Poland has extensive experience in organizing major sports events. In addition to Euro 2012, its achievements include the 2015 Europa League final, the 2017 U-21 European Championship and the 2019 U-20 World Cup. In 2025, Poland will host the UEFA Conference League final and the U-19 Women's European Championship, and in 2026 – the U-20 Women's World Cup. These successes build the credibility of the candidacy.
The road to Euro 2036 will not be easy. UEFA has already set hosts for the next tournaments: Great Britain and Ireland (2028) and Italy and Turkey (2032), which makes 2036 the closest possible date for Poland. Former PZPN president Michał Listkiewicz admits that there will be a lot of competition, but the success of Euro 2012 showed that Poland can compete with even the biggest. Potential rivals include Russia, although its candidacy is controversial due to UEFA sanctions.
Critics point to financial and organizational challenges. Euro 2012 cost Poland around PLN 85 billion, which was 5% of GDP. Some experts ask whether the funds should not be allocated to the development of youth football or support for clubs. Others fear that the tournament may become a political tool in a polarized society.
The Polish Football Association declares that the decision to officially submit a candidacy will be made in the coming years. If Poland decides to take this step, the government, local governments and the association will face the task of convincing UEFA that the country is ready to organize a football festival again. One thing is certain - the dream of Euro 2036 is firing the imagination of millions of Polish fans.