The UK government has ruled out providing funding towards the redevelopment of Casement Park in time for Euro 2028.
A letter from Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn and British Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy to Communities Minister Gordon Lyons on Friday evening confirmed the news.
The west Belfast stadium has been derelict since 2013, but had been earmarked to host five games at the major football tournament in four years.
After being beset by a number of legal challenges and wrangling around funding of the project, it has now been dealt another major blow as the government said it would be too “high risk” to make up the shortfall needed. Costs have risen on the project which is now estimated to cost as much as £400m.
The joint letter on Friday evening stated: “When we took office in July, we said that we would swiftly, but fully, analyse whether Casement Park could be successfully completed to the required UEFA timelines and in line with their minimum requirements.
“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.”
The letter from the UK government ministers goes on to say they will “continue to work together” regarding the involvement of Northern Ireland in the tournament.
“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.
“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 2011, the Stormont executive committed £62.5million to the project, with the GAA saying it would contribute £15 million.
The Dublin government had offered roughly £42million towards the project and had indicated it may be open to spending more.
Ulster GAA said the government’s decision on Friday was “bitterly disappointing”.
It 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.”
