GAA declares Casement Park Euro 2028 rejection a 'missed opportunity'

The UK government recently announced they would not be providing redevelopment funding for the stadium in time for the European Championships in 2028

A general view of Casement Park GAA stadium in Belfast.

GAA chiefs have said that the confirmation Belfast's Casement Park won’t be hosting at Euro 2028 is a "missed opportunity" that will be looked back on "with considerable regret". 

Croke Park officials have sought an ‘urgent meeting’ with the UK’s Sec of State Hilary Benn to discuss the next steps for the ground's redevelopment.

The UK government announced on Friday that the cost of rebuilding Casement Park stadium in Belfast rose 'dramatically' to around £400m.

The government announced they would not be providing redevelopment funding for the stadium in time for the European Championships. They subsequently admitted there was a risk it wouldn't be completed in time.

The statement reads as follows: Confirmation that Belfast will not be hosting the UEFA EURO 2028 Championships is a missed opportunity and it is one that our entire society will look back on with considerable regret.

Ulster GAA has taken every possible step to keep the project on track for the UEFA Euro 2028 Football Championships. This included investing over £4m in critical aspects of preenabling works in anticipation of the procurement of the new main contractor.

On his appointment to office the Secretary of State Hilary Benn, on behalf of the British Government, gave firm commitments that Casement Park will be built, a commitment also given by his predecessor. We have sought an urgent meeting with him to agree next steps.

Casement Park will be built, and we will work with all partners to ensure that the promises made by the NI Executive over 13 years ago and within successive Programmes for Government, to deliver on the strategic stadia need of the GAA in the province and in Belfast, Ireland’s second city, are fulfilled.

As we continue to work towards the delivery of the new Casement Park, which will host Gaelic Games at all levels, and be a community hub for West Belfast, we would like to thank Gaels throughout Antrim, Ulster and Ireland for their patience, commitment and unwavering support for the project over many years.