UK government will not fund Casement Park rebuild in time for Euro 2028

A general view of Casement Park GAA stadium in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Picture: PA

The UK government will not fund the redevelopment of Casement Park in time for the Euro 2028 football tournament due to “a significant risk that it would not be built in time”.

Northern Ireland secretary Hilary Benn and UK culture secretary Lisa Nandy announced the decision in a joint letter to communities minister Gordon Lyons on Friday evening.

It said the risk of the GAA stadium refurbishments not being completed in time was partly due to a lack of building progress made between now and when the Euro 2028 bid was awarded jointly to the UK and Ireland.

The ministers said the cost of building Casement Park had risen “dramatically” since 2023 – from €213m (£180m) to €473m (£400m).

“The estimated build costs have risen dramatically, from £180m when the Euro 2028 bid was awarded in October 2023 to potentially over £400m, and there is a significant risk that it would not be built in time for the tournament,” the joint letter said.

“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.

“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.” 

A general view of Casement Park GAA stadium in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Picture date: Monday August 14, 2023.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin confirmed that he had been contacted by Mr Benn about the plan to not provide funding to Casement Park in time for Euro 2028.

“The new stadium at Casement Park should be built. The Government has already made a funding commitment of €50 million to this project, and that commitment stands,” Mr Martin said.

“We will continue to engage with all the stakeholders to progress the stadium at Casement.”

Speaking earlier today ahead of the news, Taoiseach Simon Harris confirmed that the Government still intended to commit €50m to the regeneration of Casement Park.

“That commitment still stands and in due course, once we realise the British Government’s position in relation to this matter and we’ll obviously be able to work together to see how to make progress,” Mr Harris said.

Mr Harris said that he discussed Casement Park with the new UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, during his recent visit.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin said earlier today that the Government would be “working with all parties” to clarify the situation around Casement Park.

First Minister Michelle O’Neill said, speaking in Dublin, that her preference was for Casement Park to be built in advance of the Euros.

Contractors with excavators have begun clearing the concrete seating terraces at GAA stadium in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Picture date: Thursday March 14, 2024.

Mr Benn and Ms Nandy said they will engage with those involved on “the appropriate way forward” for Casement Park.

“We will continue to work together with partners and Uefa regarding Northern Ireland’s involvement in Euro 2028 moving forward, and remain fully committed to ensuring that the tournament positively impacts on the whole of the UK, providing a legacy for football and people across all four home nations,” the joint letter to the Stormont Executive said.

“As we understand it, the Executive remains committed to building Casement Park and you will no doubt want to take stock of the project in light of this decision.

“We will, therefore, seek engagement with NI partners, including the GAA, in the coming weeks, to discuss this decision in more detail as well as seeking views on the appropriate way forward for Casement Park.”

In a statement, Ulster GAA said: “We’ve received this evening’s statement on Casement Park from the Government. It is bitterly disappointing for the GAA, our partners in the IFA and for the wider sporting community. We will provide a more detailed response later this weekend.”