Plans announced for €35m redevelopment of National Basketball Arena

HOW IT WIL LOOK: Basketball Ireland has announced plans for a €35m redevelopment of the National Basketball Arena. 

Basketball Ireland has announced plans for a €35m redevelopment of the National Arena, with planning permission submitted on Tuesday.

The proposed works, which would see the new multi-sport and multi-use arena double its capacity to 3,300, are likely to get underway in the summer of 2025 and are expected to take 18 months to complete., completed in time for the start of the 2026/27 season.

The 8000 square metre facility, that is set to be completed in time for the start of the 2026/27 season, will have four basketball courts and it will be a fully accessible and inclusive facility for all sports participants. It will also house a gym and café, along with corporate facilities and office space for Basketball Ireland staff.

The project has the support of Badminton Ireland, Irish Squash and Volleyball Ireland, who have all expressed an interest in using the new state-of-the-art amenity.

Basketball Ireland CEO, John Feehan, said: “The new Arena will provide a best-in-class indoor sports facility, which will cater for multiple sports, along with it being a premium indoor event space.

“It will be the home of Irish basketball and illustrates the passion and drive within the organisation to continue the growth of the game. Sport plays such a vital role in Irish society and this will be a wonderful resource, not just for the local community, but for the country as a whole.”

Funding to build the new National Basketball Arena would be sought through government support, via the Large Scale Sport Infastructure Fund (LSSIF), with applications due to open early in 2024. 

Basketball Ireland will also look to raise funds via a naming rights partner for the new Arena, along with a philanthropic programme, general fundraising, commercial sources and prudent lending, where required.

Basketball Ireland chairperson, Professor Seamas Donnelly, added: “The current National Basketball Arena was built in 1993 and while it has served us well, it’s in need of an upgrade to future-proof the venue and help continue the progress of the sport.

"The National Basketball Arena caters for every level of basketball - from schools, colleges, wheelchair, Masters and Socia-Ball, to elite level of our National League and National Cup, along with being the venue for Irish international teams competing in FIBA EuroBasket and FIBA World Cup qualifiers.

“This new multi-sport Arena will be a huge asset to the Irish sporting landscape in Ireland and it’s wonderful to have the support of other indoor sports - Badminton Ireland, Irish Squash and Volleyball Ireland - for the project.”