Casement Park Euro 2028 matches ‘could bring £106m’ to NI

Hosting Euro 2028 games in Northern Ireland could be worth more than £106m to the local economy, according to new analysis.

The economic assessment, by accountants Grant Thornton, was commissioned by Ulster GAA.

Northern Ireland is due to host five games in the football championships at Casement Park in west Belfast.

But the stadium site remains derelict and redevelopment work has yet to begin.

At the weekend, the Irish FA and the GAA sent a joint letter to the prime minister urging him to clarify the funding for the project.

It is still not known how much money Westminster is prepared to contribute to redeveloping Casement Park, the cost of which could be more than £300m.

It is very unlikely funding will be confirmed before July’s general election.

Northern Ireland’s Economy Minister Deirdre Hargey said the potential financial windfall from the Euros demonstrates an “urgent” need to find the money to redevelop the stadium.

The report estimated 150,000 fans would attend the five games at Casement Park including 40,000 visitors coming from outside Northern Ireland.

That would equate to £52m spent on accommodation and a further £54m spent across retail and hospitality.

The report said the economic impact of the whole tournament, all 51 games across the UK and Ireland, is calculated at £2.6bn.

On a pro-rata basis, Northern Ireland’s five games would equate to £255m of an economic impact.

The Grant Thornton analysis said it takes a more “prudent view” on the potential economic boost from hosting five games, estimating the tournament could be worth more than £106m to Northern Ireland.

It also said the stadium has the potential to create a further economic boost worth tens of millions of pounds each year through the hosting of sporting fixtures and concerts.

Andrew Webb, chief economist at Grant Thornton, said that “while the economic and sporting legacy of Belfast hosting the Euros is considerable, the long-term growth in visitor numbers and the positive statement of intent that it sends out to international investors is perhaps the greatest prize of all”.

“In terms of size, scale and international reach the Euros is an unparalleled event for Northern Ireland and it not only puts us on the map for future large-scale events, but it creates the right circumstances that supports inward investment, creating jobs and growing the economy,” he added.

The Irish FA is partnering with the GAA to host the games in Northern Ireland.

The chief executive of Ulster GAA, Brian McAvoy, said the report was “unambiguous” in its analysis of short and long-term economic, tourism and inward investment opportunities that the Euros could bring.

“We want and need to see progress, now, on the long-standing commitments given to deliver Casement Park,” he added.

Plans to redevelop Casement Park were launched in 2011, but suffered long delays due to political instability in Northern Ireland, construction plan issues and a number of legal challenges brought by local residents.

When plans were first announced, Northern Ireland’s power-sharing government pledged to pay £61m of the estimated £76m cost.

However, 13 years later, the cost has spiralled, with estimates suggesting it could require up to £300m.

The Northern Ireland Executive has pledged to pay at least £62.5m, the Irish government has promised €50m (£43m) and the GAA – the sporting body which oversees Gaelic games – has said it would contribute £15mbut no more.

The UK government has been asked to make up the shortfall but has yet to commit the money required.

Ms Hargey said the government needed to clarify its position “urgently”.

Asked if more money could come from the executive, she said: “I think we would need to look at that, but firstly we need to know what the British government are going to come forward with.”

On Thursday night, a Westminster spokesperson could not provide BBC News NI with any information on how much money the UK government is willing to contribute towards the build.

They said Northern Ireland’s Department of Communities “is responsible for the procurement process” for the stadium’s redevelopment, adding the government “will continue to work closely” with the department over the project’s cost.

Earlier this week, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said there was “no confirmation or clarity” from the UK government on funding.

He said people should be “looking at other alternatives” if it reaches the stage that a funding commitment was not available.

“We need to see how we might be able to still play a role here in Belfast and in Northern Ireland when the games come,” Mr Lyons told BBC Sport NI.

He added that if “we don’t get the funding required for a Uefa-compliant stadium at Casement” then “we [should] find other ways to still be involved, as it would be fantastic”.

It has emerged that Ulster GAA and the Irish FA wrote to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at the weekend, appealing for clarity over Casement Park funding.

They have since said that “with the announcement of the impending dissolution of the UK Parliament within days this matter is now beyond urgent”.

The letter stated that “current delay in confirmation of funding from the UK Treasury for Casement Park and, by extension Euro 2028, is jeopardising the inclusion of Northern Ireland”.

It continued: “The UEFA deadlines to be met as part of the planning and delivery process are already upon us. Therefore, we appeal to you to provide urgent clarity on the Casement Park funding position to enable the Northern Ireland Executive to bring its own position forward.

“It would be a devastating blow to both the Irish FA and GAA, as well as Northern Ireland as a whole, if the opportunity to host this flagship international tournament simply, ‘times out’.”

Deirdre Hargey told BBC News NI the “clock was ticking”.

“The focus now has to be on the British Government – they need to put the money on the table,” she said.

“They need to show us the commitment that they gave to underwrite it (Casement Park), the commitment they gave to the Ulster GAA. That now has to be realised.”

Ms Hargey said that the GAA is currently paying for clearance work on the west Belfast site and the priority was a financial contribution from the UK government.

She said the Grant Thornton report illustrated the potential benefits to the tourist and hospitality industry from staging five matches in Belfast during the tournament in the summer of 2028.

“If we can show that we can do the Euros well, that really opens the door to the potential of hosting other major events in Casement – but also beyond Casement as well,” she added.