Abandoned 34,500-seater football stadium that had been tipped to host Euro 2028 matches in new boost after £50m funding
AN ABANDONED 34,500-seater football stadium that had been tipped to host Euro 2028 matches has received a new boost after landing £50million in funding.
4
An abandoned stadium has received a fresh boost
Credit: AFP
4
Casement Park was initially selected to host Euro 2028 matches
Credit: Pacemaker
It saw Northern Ireland join England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland as a host nation.
But Northern Ireland was axed as one of the host nations
The national team currently plays at Windsor Park, which holds 18,000 fans.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
However, Uefa requires all grounds for major tournaments to hold at least 30,000 spectators.
And
But now, the overgrown arena has been given a major boost after receiving £50m towards a £260m rebuild.
That money has come from the government, according to the
Most read in Football
BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS
And it has finally been confirmed that the funds will not have to be repaid, with the £50m being provided as an 'equity stake' and not a loan.
Despite the cash boost, the redevelopment of Casement Park is still not fully financed.
Jarlath Burns warns 'time is money' over Casement Park stadium project
4
Casement Park has received £50million in funding from the government
Credit: Getty
4
It has been confirmed that the money does not have to be paid back
Credit: Pacemaker
£260m is required for a full rebuild, but the Gaelic Athletic Association can only find £120m on top of the government's £50m – leaving a £90m shortfall in total.
Casement Park used to be a top stadium for hurling and Gaelic football matches.
Tens of thousands of fans used to cram in for matches.
But the venue shut down in 2013 and has since been left abandoned.
Now, the derelict site has received planning permission to be modernised and early demolition work has begun.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The 42
5 hours ago
- The 42
Two-time Wimbledon champion calls time on career
TWO-TIME Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova announced Thursday that she will be retiring from the professional tennis circuit after this year's US Open. The 35-year-old Czech, who is currently ranked down at 572 in the world, reached a career-high ranking of 2 in 2011 when she won the first of her two Wimbledon titles. She triumphed again in 2014 and went on to reach the final of the Australian Open in 2019. This week, she was handed a wildcard entry for one last outing on the grass courts of south-west London. Advertisement 'There comes a day that it is time for a new chapter, and that time for me has come now,' the left-handed Kvitova wrote on social media. 'I therefore wanted to share with you that 2025 is my last season on tour as a professional. 'I am excited and very much looking forward to soak in the beauty of playing The Championships, Wimbledon one more time, a place that holds the most cherished memories in my career for me. 'While I am not entirely sure yet what my hardcourt swing in the US will look like, I am intending to finish my active playing career at the US Open in New York later this summer.' Kvitova won Olympic bronze in 2016, but just before Christmas, she was attacked in her home by a knife-wielding robber, suffering cuts to the nerves and tendons in her left hand. She was a member of six Czech teams to have won the Fed Cup and won the most recent of her 31 tour titles on the grass in Berlin in 2023. Kvitova missed the 2024 season in order to give birth to her first child. Since returning, Kvitova is 1–6, with her lone win coming in the first round of Rome. 'I could not have asked or wished for anything more,' Kvitova posted. 'Tennis has given me everything I have today, and I will continue to be forever grateful to this beautiful sport that I love.' – © AFP 2025
Irish Independent
14 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Indo Sport podcast: The Football Show Why nobody likes the Club World Cup
Dan covers Duff's recent anger towards the Shamrock Rovers boss as well as Drogheda missing out on Europe due to a UEFA ruling. Jonathan then explains why Gianni Infantino's club competition isn't drawing the crowds he would have liked in its early stages Football on the Indo Sport podcast is brought to you by Sky Sports. If you'd like to get in touch with the show, email us at indosportpodcast@ You can subscribe to our dedicated Indo Sport YouTube page here. Listen on…. Spotify Apple Podcasts
Irish Independent
14 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Lee Costello: Why a third-tier GAA Championship would work… players just want the chance to win a trophy
Like a lot of club footballers, I first played Gaelic at under-six level, and now, at the ripe old age of 31, I like to think I'm in my athletic prime. To be fair, I have set the bar pretty low so it could be possible.
