THE UK 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”.
In a letter to Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said the cost of building Casement Park had risen to £400 million (€470 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.
Letter from the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the Secretary of State for the @DCMS on Casement Park 👇https://t.co/gNPlqqGRKZ
— Northern Ireland Office (@NIOgov) September 13, 2024
In the letter, 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.”
It was confirmed last October by Uefa that Ireland would host the championship with the UK, and the redeveloped Casement Park in Belfast was named as one of the ten venues chosen to stage games.
But there has been mounting speculation that the stadium is set to be axed as a venue for the championship, as the funding required to build the stadium in time for the tournament is still not in place.
Costs for the long-delayed project have spiralled with reports suggesting the projected costs could have reached £308 million (€360 million).
In 2011, the Stormont executive committed £62.5 million (€73 million) to the project.
Earlier this year, the Irish Government offered €50 million towards it, and the GAA has said it will contribute £15 million (€17.5 million).
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.”
Earlier today, Michelle O’Neill said she hoped there would be a decision from the UK government on funding to rebuild Casement Park in the “immediate period ahead”.
“Casement Park will be built. It is still my absolute preference that it is built as part of the Euros,” the Northern Ireland First Minister said following a meeting of the North South Ministerial Council.
The benefit to come from that is enormous, not just in terms of sport but in terms of the economic benefit that comes from building such a stadia, the employment that would bring, the income it would generate.
“Sport is one of those areas that should be a big unifier in society and I hope that is the case. But we await the British Government’s contribution and the time is ticking in terms of making that announcement.
“I would hope that we get to hear more from the British Government in the immediate period ahead.”
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
Written by Jane Moore and posted on TheJournal.ie
I really don’t understand why Cork and super value park don’t step in here and offer to take the games in its place. Problem solved
@Michael Corkery: 100%
@Michael Corkery: not really, it doesn’t have the requisite capacity, only 29k covered seats….
@Sea Point: 20k covered seats, rest is standing and uncovered….
Being honest they should try redevelop Windsor Park. It’s a football tournament all games should be to the benefit of football not GAA. Gaa have the money and Casement Park will get done but won’t be completed on time. As for the money from Apple open up sport centres around the country like the 1 up in Blanch. There should be regional centres around Munster Leinster , Connaught and Ulster we all seen how great the Olympics was more facilities all over Ireland greater chance we get double figures in medals.
@Leighton Cullen: Windsor got money and was redeveloped, but making it any bigger would be a white elephant. Casement was earmarked £70m back in 2013, but hasnt got that yet as it will now need more.
@Leighton Cullen: Windsor Park and RavenHill were redeveloped for the soccer and rugby fraternity. The NI Executive stalled on developing Casement then collapsed over BREXIT, handily enough for the Unionists not being seen to fund Gaelic games. The costs since have spiralled.
Never trust a word from the UK Government.
The rationale for NI to continue to remain as part of the UK continues to crumble. There has been scant investment in Northern Ireland since 2010 and now another hammer blow to the local economy. This is the same Govt that will spend 80bn on defense this year and frankly doesnt care about infrastructure outside of London.
They will of course happily continue to turn NI, Scotland and Norther England into welfare dependent areas and not look to give its own people a chance
@Owen ODonoghue: I wouldnt begrudge the 80b on defense. Was an intresting report on Irish defence being wholly underfunded esp when it is to protect important transatlantic cabling. Relying of fishermen to deter the Russian navy, the RAF to intercept planes and not even having rader capable of tracking jets when then turn their civilian transponders off, something Russian jets do quite often to test air defences. Current Irish airforce planes would struggle against a spitfire.Irish defence spending should increase to at least 2% of GDP.
@Kingshu: i 100% agree with you, its more the allocation of budget, they could take 0.5% of defense and cover this or 0.1% of social welfare and cover it. Think of the jobs etc etc
And 1000% on Ireland and defense, we need radar, a functional navy and fighter jets
@Owen ODonoghue: UK as a NATO country is obliged to spend 2% of GDP on defence, it spends 2.3% increasing to 2.5% but even then the UK defence forces aren’t in great shape, I dont think they are overspending on defence. But 100% they can afford Casement, and have been embrassed that the Irish Government has contributed. £400m is an exaggeration to make them look better for not assisting, think their plan was to wait untill it was too late for Euros so they could pull out. Bit money could be found all NI somehow found £350m for the new Grand Central station that wasnt even needed. Would love Irish goverment to step in with the Money from Apple tax and build it for less than £400m and in time for Euros.
We can build it with some loose change from the 13 billion.
We are funding the roads may aswell build a stadium
@Bryan Mc Mahon: in essentially another country?
@Michael Corkery:
@Michael Corkery: for now
@Bryan Mc Mahon: lots of dilapidated stadiums in the state to fix first.
@Michael Corkery: I don’t see Belfast as being in another country
@Michael Corkery: Shame on you.
@Kingshu: don’t get me wrong , I’m for reunification but as things stand, Dublin should not be making up for shortfalls in British exchequer funding. As others have said, there are huge infrastructure needs that are not being met south of the border – sporting and otherwise. We may be rich in comparison to our nearest neighbor but compare us to continental Europe and we’re still miles behind where they are
What about Fitzgerald Stadium in Kerry- Great scenery