Northern Ireland

Prime Minister Keir Starmer tells Uefa he backs £200m funding shortfall for Casement Park

Reports that UK Prime Minister is pushing for funding to see new stadium built in time for Euro 2028

The money required to rebuild the stadium in time for the Euro 2028 tournament is not yet in place
The currently derelict Casment Park in west Belfast. (Niall Carson/PA)
By Paul Ainsworth

Sir Keir Starmer is to push for his government to meet a near £200 million funding shortfall for Casement Park for the stadium to be built in time for the 2028 Euros.

It has been reported the British Prime Minister told soccer governing body Uefa he wanted the new stadium to go ahead, following fears the financial issues facing the project would mean west Belfast will miss out on hosting matches in four years when the UK and Ireland jointly host the tournament.

The Times reported that Sir Keir told Uefa officials he backed a “£310m bailout” for the GAA stadium at the currently derelict site in Andersonstown.

However, it is unclear from the report exactly how much money would be sought by the British government to meet the shortfall. Contributions already promised by the Stormont and Dublin administrations as well as the GAA amount to £120m, meaning the British government would face a maximum bill of about £190m.

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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has reportedly told Uefa officials he backs £310m funding for Casement Park. (Lucy North/PA)

Both the Stormont Executive and the Irish government have committed funding for the project, but controversy remains over the UK government’s previously pledged financial package, as estimated costs have spiralled.

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The reports of Sir Keir support for the funding come as his new government faces a huge gap in UK public finances.

It has been reported that Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to axe some UK infrastructure projects in order to plug the gap.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the squeeze in July
UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves. (Lucy North/PA)

The Times previously reported that Mr Starmer’s chief of staff Sue Gray had sparked resentment among government ministers by “personally dominating” negotiations over Casement Park.

Following Labour’s landslide general election victory, the north’s new secretary of stare, Hilary Benn, insisted the new stadium would be built “one way or another”.

However, opposition to Casement Park being funded by London remains among some unionist politicians in the north, including DUP East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson, who said the bill would be “indefensible”.

Ulster GAA chief executive Brian McAvoy told The Irish News that the organisation “notes recent media reports and is working with colleagues in government to bring forward the project”.

He added: “We remain committed to working with our partners in the Irish Football Association in hosting Euro 2028 if that can be achieved, and we also welcome recent comments from the secretary of state that Casement Park is a priority for the new government.”