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14th September 2024
10:08am BST
The UK government have announced that they will not fund the redevelopment of Belfast's Casement Park in time for Euro 2028 due to "a significant risk that it would not be built in time".
The news is a devastating blow to the sporting community in Northern Ireland, who were set to welcome players and fans from all over the world when the UK & Ireland host the major competition in four years.
A newly-redeveloped Casement Park was set to host five games during the group stages of the competition - a prospect that would have provided a major boost to the economy in the North.
Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy announced the disappointing decision in a joint letter to Communities Minister Gordon Lyons on Friday evening.
The Irish government and the GAA had previously pledged to contribute to the redevelopment, but delays and rising costs have led to a funding shortage.
In his letter to Gordon Lyons, Mr Benn outlined that the cost of building Casement Park had risen to £400 million - a significant rise from the pencilled £180m when the Euro 2028 bid was awarded in October 2023.
He added that the British government have deemed it a significant risk that the project would not be built in time for the tournament.
"We have therefore, regrettably, decided that it is not appropriate for the UK Government to provide funding to seek to build Casement Park in time to host matches at Euro 2028," he said.
"This has been a very difficult decision to make, given our belief in the Euro 2028 partnership, but it is the only way forward in the circumstances."
Mr Lyons has said he will engage with the UK Government and other partners to “see how Northern Ireland can still benefit” from hosting Euro 2028 and “ensure that there is a lasting legacy for football in Northern Ireland”.
The Communities Minister added that his department “remains committed to the 2011 agreement with the GAA for a GAA stadium and we will engage with them in due course.”
Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill regarded the announcement as deeply disappointing and a missed opportunity for sport and the economy.
Casement Park will be built.
— Michelle O’Neill (@moneillsf) September 13, 2024
The decision by the British Government to withhold the necessary share of funding for Casement Park in time for us to host UEFA Euro 2028 is a missed opportunity for sport and our economy.
This was an enormous opportunity to create jobs, boost…
"Casement Park will be built," she said. "It’s an Executive commitment, and something that both the British and Irish governments have committed to.
"The decision not to proceed with Casement Park in time to host UEFA Euro 2028 is deeply disappointing and a missed opportunity not only for local sport, but for our economy."
The Sinn Fein MLA continued: "This was a unique opportunity to create jobs, boost tourism, and showcase our island’s sporting talent on the global stage.
"We will continue to work with the GAA, our local executive and the two governments to push this project forward and get these state-of-the-art facilities built and a first-class stadium for Gaelic games delivered.
"To make this announcement on the same day as pausing funding for the transformational City and Growth Deal for our towns and cities smacks of cynicism from the British Secretary of State.
"Hilary Benn has said clearly that Casement Park will be built, so I would urge his government to honour the commitments they’ve made and let’s get it built."
The Irish Times have reported that the four matches due to be held at Casement during the Euro 2028 finals are now expected to be shared between the other four host nations.
It is understood the fixtures will instead be played at London’s Wembley Stadium, Hampden Park in Glasgow, Cardiff’s Principality Stadium and Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.
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