UK Government will not provide funding for Casement Park to be built in time for Euro 2028
The UK Government has confirmed that it will not be providing funding that will see Casement Park in Belfast be built in time for Euro 2028.
In a letter to NI Minister for Communities Gordon Lyons, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn and Secretary of State for Culture and Sport Lisa Nandy said that after expert advice and analysis there is a "significant risk" that the stadium would not be ready in time.
The joint statement said that as a result, they have "regrettably" decided that it is not appropriate to provide funding for the stadium's completion by 2028.
Read more: Focus remains on building Casement Park in time for Euros insists O’Neill
The letter also stated build costs have "risen dramatically" from £180m when the Euro bid was awarded in October 2023 to "potentially over £400m".
Hilary Benn and Lisa Nandy added that they will seek engagement with partners including the GAA in light of the news to discuss this decision in more detail and gain views on the appropriate way forward for Casement Park.
Read the full statement below:
"You wrote to the previous Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on 22 March and again on 4 June, regarding the funding requirement for Casement Park, in order for it to be built to the appropriate specification to host matches at EURO 2028.
"As you are aware, our Departments have been engaging closely with UEFA and project partners to understand the stadium requirements, funding implications and deadlines. The Government has always been committed to ensuring that Northern Ireland could host the EUROs if there was any way to achieve that. And so, 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.
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"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.
"We are copying this letter to the First and Deputy First Minister, the leaders of the Northern Ireland political parties, as well as Ulster GAA President, Ciaran McLaughlin and IFA President, Conrad Kirkwood."
Both the Ulster GAA and Irish FA issued statements on Friday night.
A spokesperson for the IFA said: "We note the Government's decision. We will now take time to consider the implications of this with our bid partners and UEFA."
Ulster GAA added: “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.”
READ MORE: Irish Government open to increasing funding for Casement Park, says Taoiseach
READ MORE: Casement Park will be built one way or another, insists new Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn
Meanwhile, the Amalgamation of Official Northern Ireland Supporters Club said in a statement: "We note the news this evening that HM Government has indicated that they are unable to fund the refurbishment of Casement Park for inclusion in Euro 2028.
"It is essential that the Irish FA now engages with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that Northern Ireland football still has a significant role to play in the tournament and that football at all levels in our country enjoys a legacy of Euro 2028.
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