Funding for Casement Park to be built in time for the stadium to host Euro 2028 football has been rejected by the UK Government.
This decision confirms the fears that the financial issues facing the project would mean west Belfast will miss out on hosting matches in four years when the tournament is held jointly by the UK and Ireland.
In a letter to the Minister for Communities, Gordon Lyons, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn, said: “Having sought expert advice and analysis, we have concluded that there is a significant risk that the stadium would not be built in time (including to host essential test events well in advance of the tournament).
“This is in part because, in the period between the awarding of EURO 2028 and the election of the new Government, almost no progress was made to deliver the stadium build.
“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.”
“This does not mean that there will be no funding whatsoever, but the major driving factor for the Government funding the project was the stadium’s part of EURO 2028, however, this is no longer a possibility.
“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,” continued Benn
“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.”
