Will Casement Park host Euro 2028 matches? Well, ever since October 2023, the assumption has been that it will. Last year, the UK and Ireland confirmed the ten stadiums that will be used to host matches at Euro 2028. While popular stadiums such as the Etihad Stadium, St James' Park and Hampden Park were all selected, eyebrows were raised when the lesser-known Casement Park was given hosting rights.
The stadium was primarily used for hurling and Gaelic football in Northern Ireland until it was closed in 2013. However, as part of the UK and Ireland's bid for Euro 2018, redevelopment plans for the stadium were launched which earned the stadium hosting rights.
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 are still trying to ‘figure out' the cost of the re-build.
This sparked fears that the stadium won't be redeveloped in time to host Euro 2028 games which would mean no matches being played in Northern Ireland. These fears have now been increased thanks to comments made by the Gaelic Athletic Association's Chairman, Jarlath Burns.
Will Casement Park host Euro 2028 matches? GAA President provides ‘pessimistic' update
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Talking to reporters at the launch of the All-Ireland Hurling Championship, Burns said:
“It’s not looking as if we’re going to get the Euros. Having attended the final of the Europa League in the Aviva, I can see what Uefa brings to a stadium and to an event. West Belfast deserves that and we’re not getting it. It’s just a great pity because the carrot was dangled in front of us and then it was taken away.
“The whole project is being run by the Strategic Investment Board and they have been telling us that in order to get the tenders in and to find out what it’s going to cost, it’s going to take six weeks – and then there’s going to have to be another four weeks for appeals to that.
“We’re working away, we’re clearing the site and that. But at the end of the day, it’s UEFA and their timelines are important. It has to be up and running for almost a year before you can actually say that it’s properly functional, so I’m now pessimistic that the Euros will be played in Casement Park.”
If Casement is not built for the Euros it compounds our understanding of an unreformed unionism that refuses to embrace a shared future and blocks inclusive progress. Sectarianism prevented a world class stadium at Maze/Long Kesh and now a reduced size Casement Park.
— Andrée Murphy (@andreemurphy) June 12, 2024
How the general election will impact the Casement Park redevelopment
The snap election called by Rishi Sunak last month has complicated matters further. Explaining why, the GAA President said:
“There’s an election in the north. And whenever an election is called, you enter into what we call purdah, where governments are not allowed to make big donations or big announcements.
“It’s very handy for the Conservative government that they get out of having to do it. The Gaelic Athletic Association will always be in a very precarious position when we find ourselves depending on the goodwill of the British government. It’s never worked out for us before. I’m very, very disappointed with the pace of how it’s gone.”
‘Challenges remain’ in bid to get Casement Park ready for Euro 2028
On Monday, June 24, UEFA representative Luca Nicola spoke at the Irish Football Association’s (IFA) AGM and acknowledged that there are still important obstacles to overcome to ensure that Casement Park is ready in time for Euro 2028. He said: “Commendable efforts are being made to make Casement Park a suitable venue for Euro 2028.
“Northern Irish partners have shown a strong will and commitment to make this happen, demonstrating that this is a project that goes beyond football for the country.
“Important challenges remain — we need to acknowledge that but the conditions for Casement Park to host Euro 2028 matches have been communicated and are known.
“We at Uefa are confident that with the support of all the Northern Irish partners, these conditions can be met and Belfast will be ready to welcome participating teams in four years’ time.”
“Important challenges remain” but @UEFA remain hopeful that Casement Park will be ready to stage Euro 2028 matches ⤵️
— BBC SPORT NI (@BBCSPORTNI) June 25, 2024
In 2013, the cost of redeveloping the stadium was estimated to be just under £80 million. The Northern Ireland secretary, Chris Heaton-Harris, provided an update in March, though, stating that the cost of redevelopment could now be as high as £308 million. Although the NI executive and the GAA have provided significant investment to fund the project along with the Irish government since 2013, considerable finances are still required to finalise the rebuild in the next few years.
IFA chief executive Patrick Nelson said: “We are still talking to all the stakeholders,”
“Uefa are still keen for us to host games but we need a decision from the Prime Minister on what contribution they will make.
“We need to wait to 5 July after the election. We need to know what the Westminster Government will contribute and what does that leave for other partners to contribute.
“The Executive and GAA will also make contributions and the partners are talking.”
He added: “Casement was part of the bid and it’s an unbelievable opportunity to bring a massive football tournament to Northern Ireland.
“It needed a realistic project and Casement is a realistic project that has Government support stretching back 13 years. I’m still hopeful but it will depend on political will, like many decisions in our society.”