REVEALED: Inside the derelict stadium set to stage Euro 2028 games after the UK and Ireland are all but confirmed as tournament hosts… with the ground currently an abandoned wasteland
- UK and Ireland are the only bid remaining for Euro 2028 after Turkey pulled out
- Belfast’s derelict stadium Casement Park is one of the home nations’ ten venues
- Click HERE to listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s ‘It’s All Kicking Off’
A derelict stadium in Belfast is set to stage matches at Euro 2028 after it was revealed on Wednesday that the UK and Ireland would succeed in their bid to host the tournament.
The home nations became the only candidate left to put on the tournament after Turkey’s withdrawal from the bidding process, and now UEFA’s ruling committee are expected to formally announce the new hosts following their meeting in Nyon, Switzerland this week.
Ten stadiums have been proposed to stage matches at Euro 2028 across Britain, including two which have not yet been built – Everton’s Bramley-Moore Dock and Casement Park in Belfast.
While the construction of the Toffees’ new stadium is already underway, Casement Park is an abandoned wasteland having not been used since 2013.
Irish FA chief Patrick Nelson urged that the ground’s £77.5million redevelopment would commence imminently, now that the UK and Ireland have appeared to succeed in their bid to stage the tournament.
An abandoned and derelict stadium in Belfast (above) is now set to stage matches at Euro 2028
Casement Park (above) is one of the ten stadiums the UK and Ireland have proposed to use for Euro 2028 – and the home nations are set to host the tournament following Turkey’s withdrawal
A general view of Belfast’s derelict stadium Casement Park and its surrounding area in 2020
Although there are weeds growing on the pitch now, the derelict stadium is set to undergo a £77.5million makeover and – when complete – will seat a capacity of 34,500 supporters
A rebuild and renovation of Casement Park was necessary for the home nations’ bid because Windsor Park – Northern Ireland’s national stadium – falls short of the minimum capacity required by UEFA for European Championships. When complete, the new venue will seat a capacity of 34,500 supporters.
Prior to it being abandoned a decade ago, Casement Park was the top Gaelic football stadium in Northern Ireland.
Casement Park’s rebuild was met with backlash last year after a residents’ group in west Belfast objected to the impact the new stadium would have on the community and local area, according to the BBC.
Despite launching a legal challenge, the Mooreland and Owenvarragh Residents’ Association failed in their appeal to overturn planning permission – and the stadium’s redevelopment was given the go-ahead in court.
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It was once the top Gaelic football stadium in Northern Ireland but hasn’t been used since 2013
Casement Park’s rebuild was met with backlash last year after a residents’ group in Belfast launched a legal challenge over the impact the new stadium would have on the local area
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