Government will not fund Casement in time for the Euros, NI Secretary says

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has told the Stormont Executive that the Government will not fund the redevelopment of Casement Park in time for the Euros in 2028 due to “a significant risk that it would not be built in time”.

The derelict west Belfast GAA ground had been earmarked to host five matches in Euro 2028, in a joint bid by the UK and Ireland.

The Irish Government and the GAA sporting body had said they would contribute to the redevelopment, but delays and spiralling costs created a funding gap.

In a letter to Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, Mr Benn said the cost of building Casement Park had risen to £400 million. The letter was also sent to First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, as well as the leaders of Northern Ireland’s political parties.

Mr Benn said: “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.

“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.”

Northern Ireland Secretary and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said in a joint letter that 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, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said: “The UK Government has confirmed that, having receiving expert advice and analysis, they are not in a position to make any contribution to Casement Park to host Euro 2028 matches.

⁠I have been informed that it would not have been possible to build the stadium in time and that costs had escalated to over £400 million. Therefore the UK Government have determined this as not being value for money.

Following this announcement, I will engage with the UK Government and other partners to see how Northern Ireland can still benefit from hosting the competition and ensure that there is a lasting legacy for football in Northern Ireland.

⁠The department remains committed to the 2011 agreement with the GAA for a GAA stadium and we will engage with them in due course.”

Reacting to the confirmation that Casement Park will not be built in time to host Euro 2028 games, First Minister Michelle O’Neill said it was "deeply disappointing and a missed opportunity for sport and our economy."Casement Park will be built. It’s an Executive commitment, and something that both the British and Irish governments have committed to.“This was a unique opportunity to create jobs, boost tourism, and showcase our island’s sporting talent on the global stage.“We will continue to work with the GAA, our local Executive and the two governments to push this project forward and get these state-of-the-art facilities built and a first-class stadium for Gaelic games delivered.“To make this announcement on the same day as pausing funding for the transformational City and Growth Deal for our towns and cities smacks of cynicism from the British Secretary of State.“Hilary Benn has said clearly that Casement Park will be built, so I would urge his government to honour the commitments they’ve made and let’s get it built,” she said.

A spokesperson for 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.”

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