The UK government has confirmed it will not be funding the rebuilding of Casement Park stadium in Belfast in time for the Euro 2028 football tournament, effectively ending Northern Ireland’s bid to host any matches. In a joint letter from NI Secretary Hilary Benn and Sports Minister Lisa Nandy to Stormont Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, the government cited the dramatic rise in costs for the stadium’s redevelopment, from an estimated £180m when the bid was awarded in 2023, to more than £400m. The letter stated there was a “significant risk” that the stadium would not be built in time for the tournament.
The estimated cost of rebuilding Casement Park has soared since 2011 when initial estimates put the cost at £77.5m, with £62.5m coming from the Stormont executive and £15m from the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). Costs have risen dramatically since then and trying to cater for soccer as well as GAA matches increased the cost further, as UEFA requires a higher specification of stadium. The Irish government has already pledged more than £40m, while the GAA will be hoping the UK government will still contribute to the redevelopment whenever it happens.
The announcement sparked disappointment among many, including Ulster GAA, who called it “bitterly disappointing,” adding that it would provide a more detailed response in the coming days. Tourism NI chief executive John McGrillen estimated that the loss of the four games due to be held at Casement Park could mean a loss of around £100m to the economy. Sinn Féin deputy leader Michelle O’Neill said the announcement represented a “missed opportunity for sport and our economy”. Meanwhile, SDLP west Belfast councillor, Paul Doherty, called the UK government’s decision a “massive, wasted opportunity” and said hosting the Euros would have brought money into Northern Ireland.
Despite the disappointment, some expressed support for the decision, with North Antrim MP Jim Allister stating, “Refusing to squander £400m on Casement is the right decision”. He added that from a government that has raided pensioners’ winter fuel fund, it would have been wrong to give preferential funding to the GAA when neither rugby nor football received central government funding. Northern Ireland could still play a role in the tournament as a training base or host warm-up matches at the existing Windsor Park stadium
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