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Derelict Euro 2028 stadium 'may not be finished in time' with 'big questions' over funding

The UK and Ireland will host the European Championships in 2028, but one of the stadiums picked to host matches at the tournament might not be ready in time

A bird's eye view of Casement Park stadium
A derelict stadium picked to host matches at Euro 2028 may not be ready in time(Image: PA)

Fears are mounting that a stadium in Northern Ireland selected to host matches at Euro 2028 won't be ready in time.


Football will officially be coming home in five years' time after organisers announced that the UK and Ireland would stage the tournament earlier this week. Of the 10 host stadiums, one is currently derelict and concerns over how renovation of the ground will be funded are already jeopardising its inclusion in the event.


Casement Park in west Belfast, which holds a meagre 31,000 spectators, is the only Northern Irish venue on the ticket, but has been closed for over a decade following a series of failed redevelopment plans. However, with the UK and Ireland's Euros bid now confirmed, said plans are set to be revived and accelerated.


READ MORE: Euro 2028 stadium is derelict and lying in ruin before UK and Ireland host tournament

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The bill for the revamp is expected to be well north of £100million, and leader of Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has raised questions over the necessity of the project, particularly with the country embroiled in a budget crisis. When asked if Casement Park would be completed in time for the Euros, he said: "That is a big question, I don’t know at this stage. I think there are big questions around all of that.

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"We are very clear, the Executive [Stormont] doesn’t have money. Some people are talking now in figures of between £150m and £200m to complete the stadium … I don’t know where the money is going to come from."

If Casement Park isn't ready in time for Euro 2028, which stadium should replace it? Let us know in the comments section below.

A general view of Casement Park earlier this year
The stadium has been empty for over a decade(Image: Getty Images)

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Reports indicate that Downing Street is willing to foot some of the bill, but Donaldson insisted that money would be better spent elsewhere. He added: "I have to ask the question of the Secretary of State [Chris Heaton-Harris], if you have money for Casement Park, why haven’t you got money for the health service?"

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson
DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has doubts over the necessity of the redevelopment of Casement Park(Image: PA)
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As for the other nine grounds selected to host matches at Euro 2028, six of them are in England: Wembley Stadium, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Villa Park, the Etihad Stadium, St James' Park and the under-construction Everton Stadium. Meanwhile, Hampden Park (Scotland), the Millennium Stadium (Wales) and the Aviva Stadium (Ireland) will also stage games at the tournament.

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