No construction tender issued yet for Casement Park with UK Government holding up Euro 2028 project

With the clock ticking down to Euro 2028, for which Casement has been chosen as one of the host stadiums, time is running out for the redevelopment project to be completed in time.

Uefa wants the stadium built by mid-2027, at the latest, but Gordon Lyons today told Stormont’s communities that a tender for the construction of the stadium has still not been issued.

The Executive has pledged £62.5m towards the redevelopment, with the Irish Government putting up €50m (£42.8m) and the GAA contributing £15m.

A decade ago, the cost of the project was estimated to be £77.5m, but now that figure has spiralled to potentially more than £300m. It is unclear who will fill this funding gap.

Mr Lyons said he recognises the predicted economic windfall for NI that Euro 2028 will bring, but questions still need answered about funding Casement.

“There has been some difficulty getting clarity as to the final funding allocations and where the money will be coming from,” he said.

“You will be aware there is an Executive commitment of £62.5m, and that remains for the redevelopment of Casement Park, with £15m from the GAA and a contribution of €50m from the Irish Government.

“There is a funding shortfall — I am seeking clarity on that.”

Asked about the status of the tendering process for the construction of the stadium, Mr Lyons said: “The department is now the contracting authority for Casement, but we’re not able to go any further in terms of procurement until we have clarity on where the funding is coming from.”

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Committee member Sian Mulholland put it to Mr Lyons that it is a matter of “weeks, not months,” for progress on the project to be made in order for it to be on track to meet completion targets. Ms Mulholland asked the minister where the “blockage” is in this regard.

“The blockage is getting clarity from the funding partners, including the UK Government, and how much they are prepared to contribute to what will be the overall cost,” Mr Lyons said.

“I have asked the UK Government for clarity on that. I believe that discussions are ongoing, but I haven’t received any response to that yet.”

Speaking earlier this week, GAA president Jarlath Burns said the UK Government should stump up more money for Casement as a goodwill gesture to the organisation.

Mr Burns said Westminster has a “moral obligation” to support the GAA “given what has happened in the past”.

He said reparations for Bloody Sunday in 1920, when British forces raided Croke Park during a GAA match, killing 14 people, have never been made.

“Money would never change that,” the GAA president said.

“But the British Government could send a signal to the GAA to say: ‘We aren’t against you; we understand the role you play in communities and we are going to do this for you.’”

A UK Government spokesperson said: "The Northern Ireland Department for Communities is responsible for the procurement process for the redevelopment of Casement Park, including direct engagement with local partners on their funding contribution.

"The UK Government will continue to work closely with the Department for Communities regarding the cost of the Casement Park. We remain committed to ensuring EURO 2028 leaves a lasting legacy across the UK."