UEFA has selected Le Mans, France as the host city for the 2025 UEFA Futsal Champions League Final Four, marking the first time France will host the premier continental futsal tournament. The event will take place from May 2-4, 2025 at the Antarès pavilion, with local club Etoile Lavalloise serving as the organizer.
The selection process was competitive, with eight bids from seven different countries under consideration. Several notable venues were passed over, including Almaty, Kazakhstan (home of Kairat) and proposals from Ancona, Athens, Hasselt, and Zagreb. Sporting CP of Portugal didn’t submit a bid due to venue constraints in Lisbon. UEFA prioritized a neutral, centrally-located venue for the tournament.
The chosen venue
The chosen venue, Antarès pavilion, boasts a capacity of 5,785 and is situated near the famous Circuit de la Sarthe, home of the 24 Hours of Le Mans race. A multi-purpose facility has hosted numerous high-profile events, including FIBA EuroBasket 1999, handball competitions, gymnastics meets, and various entertainment events.
Le Mans joins a select group of neutral host cities for the finals, following Yerevan (2024), Riga (2022), and Zadar (2021). The 2021 event was unique as an eight-team format due to COVID-19 circumstances.
The tournament features defending champions Illes Balears Palma Futsal, who are pursuing an unprecedented third consecutive Champions League title. They’re joined by tournament debutants Jimbee Cartagena, who hope to join an elite group of first-year champions. Sporting CP and Kairat Almaty round out the field, with both clubs aiming to become the first non-Spanish team to claim three titles in this competition.
Separately, the global futsal community is gathering in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil for the Mundo Futsal Penalty Experience, a major congress expected to draw over 10,000 attendees. The event will feature a special gala on December 18 celebrating Palma Futsal’s recent achievements, including their Champions League and Intercontinental Cup victories. The club’s coach Antonio Vadillo and sports director José Tirado will be present to receive recognition for their contributions to the sport.
UEFA will announce the draw details for the Final Four in the coming weeks.
