Casement Park in Belfast has been stripped of its status as a Euro 2028 host stadium as the UK government cannot commit to providing the funding for it to be built in time for the tournament.
The government state there is “significant risk” the stadium would not be completed in time and estimated the project could now cost over £400million.
Northern Ireland are one of five Euro 2028 co-hosts alongside England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland but as it stands they will not be providing a host stadium for the tournament.
The government states it “will continue to work together with partners and UEFA regarding Northern Ireland’s involvement in Euro 2028 moving forward.”
The likeliest course of action would be to transfer the fixtures to be played in Belfast around the stadia already commissioned, rather than sourcing a new venue. Logistically, that would mean least disruption to television, advertisers and other tournament partners.
The decision was communicated in a joint letter from Northern Ireland secretary Hilary Benn and secretary of state for culture, media and sport Lisa Nandy to Stormont Minister Gordon Lyons.
The letter reads: “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.”
Casement Park had been set to host five games at the tournament. However, the site in Belfast, which is owned by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) is currently derelict, and the plans to redevelop it and use it for Euro 2028 have been divisive.
The stadium was built in 1953 but it has been empty since June 2013. In 2016 a new 34,500-capacity re-design was accepted, with funding pledged from the UK government and the GAA.
The government claims the initial estimation for the Casement Park redevelopment was £180m when the joint Euro 2028 bid was awarded in October 2023 but state this has now risen upwards of £400m. The letter adds that they understand there remains a commitment for Casement Park to be rebuilt.
Supporters had also questioned why Northern Ireland’s national stadium Windsor Park was not selected as a host venue, with a lack of funding opportunities for the stadium cited as a reason why.
An Irish Football Association statement read: “We note the Government’s decision. We will now take time to consider the implications of this with our bid partners and UEFA.”
Six of the 10 host stadiums for Euro 2028 are in England, with one each from Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the Etihad Stadium, St James’ Park, Villa Park and Everton’s proposed new home at Bramley-Moore Dock are the six English venues, plus the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Hampden Park in Glasgow and the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
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Casement Park – Euro 2028’s derelict stadium caught in a storm of politics and protests
(Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images)