‘Discussions must start immediately on funding Casement Park for Euro 2028’

Discussions must begin immediately on how the construction of Casement Park in Belfast can be funded ahead of the Euro 2028 football tournament, an SDLP MLA has said.

Justin McNulty said there is political will to redevelop the GAA stadium, while Sinn Féin vice president Michelle O’Neill said hosting international matches at the stadium is the “opportunity of a lifetime”.

European football’s governing body, Uefa, confirmed on Tuesday that Ireland and the UK will jointly host the tournament.

As part of the successful bid, Casement Park has been listed as one of the stadiums where games will be played.

But the site is currently derelict and plans by the GAA to redevelop it with a 34,000 capacity have been mired in controversy and hit by delays.

The project has been been delayed by a series of legal challenges and is further complicated by the lack of a functioning Executive at Stormont.

The redevelopment has also been hit by rising costs, with an original projected price tag from almost a decade ago of £77.5 million now believed to have spiralled well above £100 million.

The GAA is part-funding the project but has yet to reach an agreement with Stormont on how to cover a multimillion-pound shortfall.

Unionists have expressed concern about further public money being committed to the project.

Last week, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the Irish Government would be prepared to foot some of the bill.

⚽️ CONFIRMED - CASEMENT PARK WILL HOST EURO 2028 GAMES! ⚽️

UEFA has confirmed the joint bid between Ireland and Britain for the 2028 European Championships has been successful, with Casement Park being one of the host stadiums for the games.

This is an incredible opportunity of… pic.twitter.com/TNB1Sax29Y

— Michelle O’Neill (@moneillsf)