As the clock continues to tick down, Casement Park Host status for Euro 2028 seems to be fading away with each passing day. Despite being one of the 10 stadiums included in the UK and Ireland’s successful Euro 2028 bid, Casement Park remains derelict, with no serious building work having taken place yet. The west Belfast stadium has been earmarked for redevelopment since the start of the last decade, but numerous financial, safety, and legal hurdles have hindered its progress.
Walking outside the locked gates of Casement Park, it is hard to believe that a major football tournament could be held at the stadium in less than four years. The stadium’s current state of disrepair raises concerns about its ability to host Euro 2028 matches, leaving many to question the feasibility of the project.
History of Casement Park and Its Redevelopment Challenges
Opened in 1953, Casement Park was the long-time home of gaelic games in Belfast. Along with Ulster rugby’s Ravenhill ground and Windsor Park, home of Northern Ireland’s and Linfield’s football teams, it was earmarked for redevelopment at the start of the last decade, leaving it unoccupied since 2013. While Ravenhill and Windsor Park have long been redeveloped, Casement remains in a state of disrepair after numerous financial, safety, and legal hurdles.
The original plan for a 34,000-capacity stadium was successfully challenged by local residents in 2014. An adjusted proposal with a reduced capacity was put forward, and another objection by residents failed in 2022. However, the cost of the project and, crucially, who is providing the funding, has meant work on the site has yet to begin.
Funding Issues and Cost Escalation
The price of the project was originally estimated to be at £77.5m. Since then, the cost has skyrocketed and in March it was reported to have risen to more than £300m. The Northern Ireland Executive has pledged to pay £62.5m towards the project, and the Irish government has put forward £43m. The GAA – the governing body of gaelic games, which owns the ground – has said it will not fund any more than the £15m that it pledged to the project prior to the numerous delays.
Casement Park Redevelopment Timeline
| Year | Event | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Casement Park Closure | The stadium was closed due to safety concerns and the need for redevelopment. |
| 2014 | Original Plan Challenged | The original plan for a 34,000-capacity stadium was successfully challenged by local residents. |
| 2022 | Adjusted Proposal | An adjusted proposal with a reduced capacity was put forward, and another objection by residents failed. |
| 2023 | Cost Escalation | The cost of the project escalated to more than £300m. |
| 2023 | Funding Issues | The Northern Ireland Executive and Irish government pledged funding, but the GAA refused to fund more than £15m. |
Impact on Northern Ireland’s Football Fans and the UK’s Euro 2028 Bid
The redevelopment of Casement Park has hit a number of obstacles, leaving many to question the feasibility of the project. The stadium’s current state of disrepair raises concerns about its ability to host Euro 2028 matches, which could impact Northern Ireland’s football fans and the UK’s overall bid to host the tournament.
The prospect of Northern Ireland playing football at Casement Park, which is in a predominantly nationalist area of Belfast, and away from Windsor Park, has been divisive amongst the fan base. Gary McAllister, chairman of the Amalgamation of Official Northern Ireland Supporters Clubs, questioned the legacy that would be left by hosting the Euros at Casement Park, adding he felt it should be held at football stadia.
Lack of Funding for Irish League Stadia
There has also been frustration amongst local football fans about the lack of funding for Irish League stadia and the releasing of funds which had been earmarked for more than a decade. After political instability in Northern Ireland, the reformed NI Executive said in May those funds would finally be released.
Alternative Solutions and the Future of Casement Park
If Casement Park is not redeveloped in time for Euro 2028 and an alternative solution is not found, it also would leave Northern Ireland’s place as a ‘host nation’ in question. The noises coming out Westminster, both in the previous Conservative government and after Labour’s election victory, is that Casement Park will be redeveloped. However, whether it is built in time for Euro 2028 is another issue altogether.
In July, Hilary Benn, secretary for state for Northern Ireland, said Casement Park “will be built.” However, when asked if that would be in time for the Euros, he could not give a definitive answer and said there were two issues. “[The] first is cost and there’s a certain amount of money in the pot but it’s not enough,” said Benn, adding that people should “bear with him”.
Gordon Lyons, Communities minister in the NI Executive at Stormont, has said that the decision is in the hands of the Labour government about how to proceed but his department still has “outstanding questions” over the “affordability and deliverability, and value for money” of the project.