UK: Northern Ireland’s chances for EURO 2028 fading

source: StadiumDB.com; author: Jakub Ducki

UK: Northern Ireland’s chances for EURO 2028 fading The redevelopment of Casement Park stadium in Belfast has been generating huge excitement for months. The final cost of the development, which some reports claimed would exceed the astronomical sum of £400m, has been firmly dismissed by Brian McAvoy, secretary of Ulster GAA.

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Key Ulster GAA project

Casement Park, Belfast's iconic stadium, has been waiting to be upgraded for years. Despite the plans being formally approved in July 2021, the project faces numerous obstacles. In particular, rising costs and a lack of sufficient funding have meant that the ambitious plans have stalled. To date, only £120m has been secured, representing a significant funding gap.

However, Brian McAvoy indicated that both the central Gaelic Athletic Association and the regional structures of Ulster GAA and Antrim GAA remain determined to see the project through to completion. Promises made must now be delivered upon he wrote in his annual report, emphasising the need to rebuild the stadium, which has not hosted an Ulster football final since 1971.

Design of Casement Park

Rising costs and political controversy

In September 2024, the UK government announced that the estimated cost of rebuilding Casement Park had dramatically increased to more than £400m. At the same time, it expressed doubts about the project's ability to be completed on time, pointing to the significant risk of delays. In the face of these challenges, the government has not committed to additional funding.

Despite these difficulties, GAA chairman Jarlath Burns, after discussions with communities minister Gordon Lyons, announced that the project would be delivered in a more modest form. The new stadium is expected to hold more than 30,000 spectators, meeting the requirements for hosting Euro 2028.

Design of Casement Park

Ulster GAA's determination in face of crisis

McAvoy has ensured that Ulster GAA is focused on delivering a more modest stadium project. In meetings with Gordon Lyons and Hilary Benn, Secretary of State, the intentions to align the investment with actual financial feasibility were confirmed.

We have made clear our intention to build what has been promised to us in successive programmes for government - McAvoy stated. The Ulster GAA secretary also rejected estimates in excess of £400m, describing them as wildly exaggerated. He stressed that the current plans were much more realistic and would provide the city with a bespoke stadium.

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