Northern Ireland faces being dropped as Euro 2028 co-host over funding

Northern Ireland faces being forced to drop out of co-hosting the next European Championship after the Government refused to fund the rebuilding of Casement Park.

Hilary Benn, the Northern Ireland Secretary, told the Stormont Executive the decision over the Belfast stadium had been taken amid “a significant risk that it would not be built in time” to stage matches at Euro 2028.

In a letter to Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, Benn also said the cost of building Casement Park had more than doubled to £400 million since the tournament was awarded to the UK and Ireland last year.

The letter was also sent to First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, as well as the leaders of Northern Ireland’s political parties.

Benn wrote: “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 £180 million when the Euro 2028 bid was awarded in October 2023 to potentially over £400 million – 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.”

Tournament organisers must now decide whether to find a new venue in England, Wales, Scotland or the Republic of Ireland to replace Casement Park or stage the event at nine stadia instead of 10.

From the original 14-stadium shortlist drawn up ahead of the bid in 2020 the four which did not make the cut were Croke Park in Dublin, Sunderland’s Stadium of Light, Old Trafford and West Ham’s London Stadium.

Old Trafford was ruled out after Manchester United decided to pull out of the running because of redevelopment plans meaning the stadium would not be ready in time.

“The UK and Ireland 2028 Partnership note the UK Government’s position regarding Casement Park,” the FA said in a statment.

“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.”