Will Casement Park host Euro 2028 matches? Well, ever since October 2023, the assumption has always been that it would. After all, last year the UK and Ireland confirmed it among the ten Euro 2028 stadiums.
Earlier this year, demolition work started but there have always been fears that too much work is needed in too short a time frame. In April, the Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Chris Heaton-Harris said that the UK government were still trying to ‘figure out' the cost of the re-build.
Then, in June, doubts were amplified when the Gaelic Athletic Association's Chairman, Jarlath Burns, came out and said that it wasn't ‘looking likely' that the stadium would be ready in time for the tournament.
In September, the UK government have made a key decision in relation to the funding of the stadium which could make or break the project.
/https%3A%2F%2Ffootballgroundguide.com%2Fapp%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F06%2FWill-Casement-Park-host-Euro-2028-matches_.jpg "Casement Park Euro 2028: Update on Government funding 1")
Will Casement Park host Euro 2028 matches? Government deliver a fatal blow
In September 2024, the British government revealed that they wouldn't be providing funding for the refurbishment of the stadium which has all but ended all hopes of Casement Park being a host venue for Euro 2028.
In an announcement made by the Northern Irish Secretary, Hilary Benn and Sports Minister, Lisa Nandy, the government blamed the rising costs of the project and fears that there isn't enough time to get the work completed in time for Euro 2028. The statement read:
“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.”
Euro 2028 Northern Ireland: What comes next
Responding to the announcement from the government, the First Minister of Northern Ireland, Michelle O'Neill said that the news was “deeply disappointing”. She added:
“Casement Park will be built. It's an Executive commitment and something that both the British and Irish governments have committed to.”
Whether it is built in time for Euro 2028 remains to be seen but most people now believe the chances of it being ready in time to host matches at the tournament are now all but gone.
While some demolition work has taken place, there is no sign of progress on the rebuild and with UEFA setting a deadline of 2027 for all host stadiums to be ready, there is little hope that a complete transformation can take place in just over two years, particularly as nobody knows where the funding will now come from.
Having Casement Park + the European championships would have facilitated around £300 million to the local economy, been a boost for local sport and community relations, and been good for NI
We’ll look back while they’re taking place and wonder ‘how on earth did we fumble that?’
— Peter McReynolds MLA (@PMcReynoldsMLA) September 14, 2024
UEFA respond to Casement Park Euro 2028 funding issues
UEFA continue to play the issue off with a straight bat, as they have done throughout. Back in June, a UEFA representative told the Irish Football Association that commendable efforts were being made to make Casement Park a suitable venue for Euro 2028.”
In recent days, UEFA have issued a new statement which doesn't entirely rule out the possibility that the stadium will still be used at Euro 2028. It read:
“We will continue to work together with partners and UEFA regarding Northern Ireland's involvement in the tournament moving forward. We remain fully committed to ensuring UEFA EURO 2028 is an outstanding sporting celebration that is inclusive to all and delivers great benefits for communities across the nations.”
Republic of Ireland seek to take Euro 2028 games away from Casement Park
In light of the news that Casement Park will almost certainly no longer host matches at Euro 2028, officials in the Republic of Ireland have contacted UEFA to suggest moving the matches allocated to Casement Park to the south of Ireland.
While the Aviva Stadium is set to host six matches at the tournament, Irish ministers are keen to get some matches away from the capital. Cork's Pairc Ui Chaoimh is understood to be one of the stadiums they have earmarked should they be awarded the Casement Park fixtures.
Junior Minister for Sport Thomas Byrne said:
“We want more matches, we’ve expressed a view to UEFA, we want them on a regional basis, I’ve spoken about that before. Our overarching objective is to have more games on the island. There are ongoing discussions with partners about that, but it is their decision at the end of the day.”
Casement Park rebuild scaled back
Plans to reduce the capacity of Casement Park in a rebuilding proposal are underway. The venue was originally slated to host matches for Euro 2028 but those plans were halted when the UK government withdrew from the redevelopment of the long-neglected stadium, citing rising costs and time constraints as the reasons for their decision.
Casement Park has been abandoned since 2013.
While the prospects of hosting the European Championship are now uncertain, UEFA remains hopeful about Casement Park Euro 2028 prospects, stating that Northern Ireland can still have the opportunity to host the event.
President of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), Jarlath Burns, recently announced plans for the stadium's redevelopment. He stated that the project will now be carried out at a significantly lower cost to the public. As a result, the venue's capacity is expected to be reduced to just over 30,000.
BBC reports that Burns plans to meet with the Secretary of Northern Ireland Hillary Been to discuss a way forward.
Burns was recently quoted by the BBCC saying that Northern Ireland's 2028 European Champion ambitions are gone. The GAA president blamed the previous UK government for the stalled Casement Park redevelopment plans, adding that it is one of the toxic legacies they have left behind.
However, the Northern Ireland secretary is upbeat about the scale-down costs and welcomes a revised proposal ahead of a possible meeting with the GAA president.