The joint Ireland and UK bid to host Euro 2028 was formally submitted this morning with two Irish stadiums listed among the final 10. Dublin's Aviva Stadium and Belfast's Casement Park are the only two Irish stadiums on the list, with 82,000 seater Croke Park's exclusion a big surprise for some Irish fans.
While the Aviva stadium might be ready to go, the GAA's Casement Park is far from it: out of action for over a decade the dilapidated stadium has been waiting for a revamp since 2009.
The bid's 'one city, one stadia' approach leaves Casement as the only option for Northern Ireland with neither Windsor Park or Kingspan Stadium viable options to host the games.
For those responsible for the redevelopment of the West Belfast stadium, today's announcement is great news, but also brings with it a feeling of pressure, as the clock begins to tick down to June 2028.
Casement Park's troubles
Casement's issues have been long documented. This was the condition of the ground - as documented by Stephen McCarthy of Sportsfile - back in June 2020.
11 June 2020; A general view of Casement Park in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Located on Andersonstown Road in the west of the city, Casement Park serves as the home ground of the Antrim football and hurling teams. The stadium is currently closed and in a state of dereliction, with redevelopment plans pending now for several years. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
11 June 2020; A general view of Casement Park in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Located on Andersonstown Road in the west of the city, Casement Park serves as the home ground of the Antrim football and hurling teams. The stadium is currently closed and in a state of dereliction, with redevelopment plans pending now for several years. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Despite the stadium's current condition, planning permission was finally granted for the stadium's redevelopment in 2021 and with the appeal against that now rejected, the renovations are taking place. Just last December Ulster GAA released what their new home would look like, revealing construction would start shortly.
In the first of our video series, Casement Park Project Board Chairperson Tom Daly and Project Sponsor Stephen McGeehan provide an update on the project and the sporting, economic and cultural opportunities this seven day a week facility will deliver. @UlsterGAA @AontroimGAA pic.twitter.com/XBSvo3ZHeg
— Casement Park (@CasementPark) December 16, 2022
This photograph of the ground was taken today, which shows the extent of the work there is to do.
All the reaction to Casement Park's Inclusion in the bid
Despite the GAA's impressive plans, plenty of UK football fans have today learned about Casement Park for the first time.
There's been some interesting reaction. Even one of football's biggest YouTubers has been joking about the stadium's redevelopment.
Disappointed to discover that apparently *this* Casement Park is going to be renovated before potentially hosting any games at Euro 2028.
Would have been interesting to see how Mbappé and Pedri tried to contend with that turf. https://t.co/ultjRA8dIP pic.twitter.com/iNUoRCkvNq— Alfie | HITC Sevens (@HITCSevens) April 12, 2023
Major work needs done to casement park if this is gonna happen https://t.co/CAmDYXa5em pic.twitter.com/UOZYO0oxGH
— Ryan (@ryan_smith65) April 12, 2023
This is currently Casement park. Been like this for over 10 years as residents won't allow it to be built. It won't happen https://t.co/bZ97Qzn4k4 pic.twitter.com/LTMJa0qebX
— Fat Head (@FatheadClom) April 12, 2023
Casement Park by the way, boy have they got some work to do on that… pic.twitter.com/SqnIBJj2tT
— Edward Walker (@edward_w97) April 12, 2023
Casement isn't the only unfinished venue on the list. The new Everton stadium on Liverpool's docks is also on the list.
With over a decade of delays for those waiting on the delivery of Casement Park, here's hoping the plan to put some of the world's best footballers there in five years' time, will see one of the GAA's great truly great venues rejuvenated.
SEE ALSO: 10 Stadia Confirmed For Ireland And UK Euro 2028 Bid
