We are proud to announce that our training ground has been selected as a proposed Team Base Camp as part of the UK & Ireland’s official bid to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2035.
Team Base Camps act as the tournament homes for the 48 competing nations, where players prepare, train, and recover between matches. Being identified as a potential host site is a significant moment for both the club and the wider region.
The FA, Irish FA, Scottish FA and FA of Wales formally submitted their joint bid on Friday 28th November. Should the bid be successful, the tournament would become the largest single-sport event ever held in the UK, and the first FIFA World Cup – men’s or women’s – hosted on these shores since 1966.
With an expected 4.5 million ticket sales and a projected global audience of 3.5 billion, the 2035 tournament aims to unite communities across the Home Nations and inspire a worldwide celebration of the women’s game. The bid is underpinned by a powerful message: “All Together” – a commitment to elevating women’s football and empowering participation at every level.
In total, the competition would feature 104 matches across 39 days, supported by 48 Team Base Camps, including Grimsby Town, alongside 82 venue-specific training sites and 32 proposed FIFA Fan Festival locations.
This represents a landmark opportunity for the four nations to deliver a tournament that transforms the women’s game across the UK, accelerates growth at every level, and inspires generations to come.
Polly Bancroft, Chief Executive at Grimsby Town, said: “This is a hugely exciting moment for the club and our community. Being identified as a potential Team Base Camp reflects not only the strength of our future facility plans but also our commitment to supporting the growth of the women’s game.
Hosting teams on the world stage would bring incredible inspiration and opportunity to the area, helping us play our part in showcasing the rapid rise of women’s sport and encouraging future generations to get involved.”
Our Commitment To Growing The Women’s Game
Grimsby Town is already making meaningful progress in developing opportunities for girls and women locally through the work of the Grimsby Town Foundation. Alongside our programmes for young players, we are proud to champion the growth and success of Grimsby Town Women.
Grimsby Town Women
Grimsby Town Women compete in the East Midlands Regional Football League Division One North.
Formed in 2019, the Mariners have continued to rise through the women’s football pyramid, winning the Division One North title in the 2022–23 season. The team then added further silverware by securing the Lincolnshire FA Marsh Sports County Plate in the 2023–24 season – their first County Cup triumph since formation.
The Women’s First Team is led by Head Coach Ben Thomas, supported by Assistant Head Coach Carl Hullet, and plays home fixtures at Clee Fields.
This season, the team currently sit top of the league, and into the Quarter Final of the Lincoln Private Hospital County Women’s Cup – with that fixture due to be played on Sunday 18th January 2026 against neighbours Cleethorpes Town Ladies.
Girls Shadow Scholarship with Franklin College
Launched last season, this unique programme offers girls aged 16–19 the chance to study a range of courses at Franklin College while taking part in a structured football development programme. Players compete against other EFL CEFA U19 teams on Wednesday afternoons.
Premier League Kicks – Girls Sessions
Delivered weekly, our girls-only Premier League Kicks sessions use the power of football to create safe, positive spaces for young people – encouraging teamwork, confidence and community engagement.
Emerging Talent Centre (ETC)
Opened last year, the ETC is the officially recognised centre of excellence for talented girls in our region. Based at the new 4G pitches at Humberston Academy, the programme works alongside grassroots clubs and is supported by GTFC Academy coaches, offering elite-level training that previously required long-distance travel.
Our ambition is clear: to build a pathway that supports girls from their first kick of a ball all the way through to opportunities in coaching, sports careers, the professional game, and perhaps one day, seeing a local player running out as a WSL star or even a Lioness.
To learn more about the work of Grimsby Town Foundation, click here.
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