Casement Park in line for major overhaul - 40,000 all seater Stadium.

[Rossfan]

Brought them to matches when they were old enough to know what was going on.

[RedHand88]

Brought them to matches when they were old enough to know what was going on.

Hang sandwiches and a flask of tae?

[trailer]

Steven Beacom
Yesterday at 22:53

Irish FA Chief Executive Patrick Nelson insists it will be all systems go for the construction of the new Casement Park if, as expected, the UK/Ireland bid to host the Euro 2028 finals is successful in Switzerland next week.
Nelson has declared that the IFA will do everything possible alongside the GAA to ensure the stadium is ready in time for the tournament pointing out that the re-building of Casement has the potential to be 'one of the most exciting and transformational projects' the Association has ever been involved in.

Nelson's comments come one week before it is announced at UEFA headquarters in Nyon on October 10 who will stage the 2028 European Championships with a joint bid from Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales set to be given the nod.

It would be the first time Northern Ireland has ever hosted a football tournament of this magnitude with GAA ground Casement Park chosen as the stadium where games would be played here.

For that to happen the 34,500 capacity west Belfast venue, which has been beset by controversy and delays for over a decade, has to be built on time and that means work starting in 2024.

Earlier this year the Amalgamation of Official Northern Ireland Supporters' Clubs (AONISC) released a statement in relation to Casement Park, saying "it is our view, and indeed our preference, that football tournaments should be hosted by football stadia" adding that the IFA were aware of their stance.


Irish FA CEO Patrick Nelson is excited Casement Park will be Northern Ireland's venue for Euro 2028
Irish FA CEO Patrick Nelson is excited Casement Park will be Northern Ireland's venue for Euro 2028

Asked for an update on the situation, the IFA issued a statement to the Belfast Telegraph with Chief Executive Nelson saying: "The re-building of Casement Park as an historic Gaelic games stadium to an arena which can host a global football tournament like the Euros has the potential to be one of the most exciting and transformational projects the Irish FA has ever been a partner in.

"We are aware of the challenges and complexities and, of course, we need to win the bid on 10th October first but, if we do and are confirmed as co-hosts, our efforts from that point onward will be to work closely with the GAA and others to ensure it is built in time to remind the world what a great city Belfast is."

It was back in 2011 that the NI Executive agreed to fund major upgrades to Windsor Park, Ravenhill and Casement Park but while the football and rugby stadiums have been completed the construction of the GAA ground has been held up due to a range of issues.

The original construction budget was £77.5 million with Stormont pledging £62.5 million and the GAA providing £15 million.

Now there are estimations that the price for Casement will be around £120 million to £130 million with the GAA consistently stressing they will pay no more than their original £15 million leaving the British government to make up the difference as a sign of their commitment to the UK/Irish Euro 2028 bid.


The GAA granted permission for Casement Park to be included in the UK/Ireland bid and remain behind the plan to play several Euro 2028 fixtures at the stadium.

Brian McAvoy, Chief Executive of Ulster GAA, Ciaran McLaughlin, President of Ulster GAA and Tom Daly, Chairman of Casement Park Stadium Development Project Board at Casement Park
Brian McAvoy, Chief Executive of Ulster GAA, Ciaran McLaughlin, President of Ulster GAA and Tom Daly, Chairman of Casement Park Stadium Development Project Board at Casement Park

Ulster GAA Chief Executive Brian McAvoy said: "The Casement Park redevelopment has been going on for too long and we hope to be on site next year to begin the construction process.

"If the Euro 2028 bid is successful it will be a great boost. As an Association we have a good working relationship with the IFA and the other members of the bid team and have been delighted to work with them on this project.

"Hopefully the bid will be successful and hopefully we can make sure that all bidding Associations for Euro 2028 can host games in the tournament.

"We are delighted to make Casement Park available so that matches can come to Belfast which would be fantastic for everyone involved."


Twelve years ago the government committed £36.2 million of Sub Regional Funding to improve Irish League stadiums but to the fury of football fans it has yet to be released.

Last month Northern Ireland Football League (NIFL) Chief Executive Gerard Lawlor stated that with government funding set to dramatically increase to build Casement Park, Irish League football should not be left with 'crumbs from the table' and called for the game here to be given "an equal share of that pie".

Lawlor's views echoed those of the AONISC in their statement in April which read: "Should Casement Park receive the significant public funding required to allow redevelopment to progress, we believe that Northern Ireland football should receive parity of funding."

[NormPeterson]

I remember being in the old Cusack in 1993. The noise in it was unreal with the upper deck being practically on top of the lower.

The land the old Cusack was built on is a part of the pitch now due to the new Cusack being tilted anti clockwise. For example where Rian O'Neill took that free kick against Galway would have been in the old stand.

[Wildweasel74]

Who's gonna own this pitch at the finish? Can't see so much money been handed out without a no.of conditions on use for other sports. Gigs, and anything else under the sun which takes their fancy

[johnnycool]

Who's gonna own this pitch at the finish? Can't see so much money been handed out without a no.of conditions on use for other sports. Gigs, and anything else under the sun which takes their fancy

The GAA via the Ulster Council will ultimately own it, but they'll probably put some sort of body in control of utilising the venue to it's maximum.

[trailer]

Ireland and UK set to be confirmed Euro 2028 hosts later today. Full steam ahead for Casement.

[Rossfan]

Will they be using Croke Park?

[RedHand88]

Will they be using Croke Park?

Nah, Aviva being used.

[general_lee]

Cue Unionist meltdown.

[johnnycool]

Cue Unionist meltdown.

IFA seem to be fully behind the renovation of Casement for this, so they've maybe had a few quid thrown their way as well.

[RedHand88]

I see an argument over the naming of the bid/tournament has broken out on Northern twitter.

Ireland and Britain
UK and Ireland

Yes. Really.

[trailer]

Cue Unionist meltdown.

IFA seem to be fully behind the renovation of Casement for this, so they've maybe had a few quid thrown their way as well.

They'll be looking to play all their big game qualifiers at Casement. Italy, Germany, France these types of games with San Marino, Andora, Farore Islands all confined to Windsor.

[johnnycool]

Cue Unionist meltdown.

IFA seem to be fully behind the renovation of Casement for this, so they've maybe had a few quid thrown their way as well.

They'll be looking to play all their big game qualifiers at Casement. Italy, Germany, France these types of games with San Marino, Andora, Farore Islands all confined to Windsor.

And what is the issue with that?

££££££££€€€€€€€€€

[clarshack]

They'll be playing God Save the King in Casement then so bitter pills to swallow for both sides.