On Tuesday, September 15, 2026, UEFA, the governing body of European football, announced that Bucharest, Romania, and Belgrade, Serbia, would host the Europa League finals in 2028 and 2029, respectively. The Europa League is a prestigious club competition for teams from across Europe that did not qualify for the UEFA Champions League. These finals are typically held in a single venue, but this decision marks the first time two different cities will host the event in consecutive years. Bucharest, the capital of Romania, is home to the National Arena, a large stadium that has previously hosted international matches and events. Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, is set to host the 2029 final at the Stadion Kraljice Aleksandry, a modern venue that has also been used for international football matches. Both cities have shown strong interest in hosting major football events, and their selection reflects UEFA's efforts to spread the appeal of European club football across different regions. The French Football Federation had submitted a bid to host the 2028 final at the Parc des Princes in Paris, a stadium that has been a key venue in French football for many years. However, UEFA opted for the dual-city approach, which allows for a broader geographical representation and potentially lower costs for the organization. This decision highlights UEFA’s strategy to promote football across Europe by rotating host cities and ensuring that different nations have the opportunity to showcase their facilities and culture on a grand stage. The Europa League finals in Bucharest and Belgrade are expected to bring significant attention and economic benefits to both cities.