British government pulls funding for EURO 2028 Belfast stadium
EURO 2028 has encountered serious obstacles in implementing the scheduled timeline. The British government has announced that it is withdrawing funding for one of the stadiums, which will significantly alter the organisers' plans.
The preliminary plan envisaged matches being played at 10 stadiums in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland was to host four matches at the newly constructed Casement Park stadium in Belfast. However, the costs of this project have drastically increased by over £220 million, reaching a value of over £400 million.
The British government stated that this investment would involve a "significant risk" of not completing the construction in time for the 2028 tournament. The stadium, which was supposed to accommodate 34,500 spectators, has been inactive for over a decade, and its technical state is far from ideal.
NI Secretary Hilary Benn and Sports Minister Lisa Nandy announced the decision to withdraw funding on Friday evening in a letter to the Northern Ireland Sports Minister, Gordon Lyons. The document noted the dramatic rise in estimated costs since the right to host EURO 2028 was awarded in the autumn of 2023.
However, Gordon Lyons stated that his department remains "committed to the 2011 agreement with the GAA for a GAA stadium" and will work with the government and other stakeholders to "ensure that there is a lasting legacy for football in Northern Ireland".
Even if Northern Ireland does not host any matches, it may serve as a training centre or host preparatory matches at Windsor Park Stadium.
Where will the matches be played?
According to "The Times," the four matches that were to be held in Northern Ireland will be allocated to other host countries. Wembley in London, Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Hampden Park in Glasgow, and Principality Stadium in Cardiff are the venues likely to take on the additional matches.
