During his recent trip to Belfast, Rishi Sunak expressed his assurance that a significant portion of the funds needed to revamp Casement Park would come from the British Government – the exact amount, however, he declined to disclose. Sunak forecasts a positive impact of the Euro 2028 football championship on Northern Ireland, claiming it would result in a commendable legacy.
Casement Park, a deserted stadium in West Belfast, is presumed to host five football contests during the Euro 2028. The substantial cost of expediting its construction before the event is causing concern – speculations suggesting it could top £308 million. In 2011, £62.5 million was committed to the endeavour by the Stormont executive. A further £40 million was extended by the Irish government earlier this year, followed by £15 million pledged by the GAA.
Still, Gordon Lyons, Stormont’s Communities Minister, is eagerly awaiting additional information on the stadium’s funding. Sunak was quizzed on these aspects after a report indicated that the Euro 2028 games might boost the Northern Irish economy by up to £100 million. He declined to forecast the government’s commitment or its timeline, simply stating the discussions were in progress.
Grant Thornton’s research suggests the event would generate a massive expenditure of £52 million on lodging and an additional £54 million on hospitality, retail, and other services if the games were held in Belfast. Drawing on data from several sources such as Tourism NI, the Hotel Federation, and the Irish FA, the study expects around 150,000 spectators to include 40,000 unique visitors to Belfast and 90,000 local residents. They anticipate that the proposed five matches at Casement could generate 180,000 overnight stays for the region’s hotel and hospitality sector.