The Aviva Stadium is currently scheduled to host six matches during the tournament.
The Football Association of Ireland have publicly stated their desire to host more Euro 2028 games at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium following Friday’s announcement from the UK government that the Casement Park rebuild won’t be completed in time for the major tournament.
Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy announced the disappointing decision to scrap funding for the redevelopment in a joint letter to Communities Minister Gordon Lyons on Friday evening.
A newly-redeveloped Casement Park was set to host five games during the group stages of the competition – a prospect that would have provided a major boost to the economy in the North.
The news is a devastating blow to the sporting community in Northern Ireland, who were set to welcome players and fans from all over the world when the UK & Ireland host the major competition in four years.
The Irish government and the GAA had previously pledged to contribute to the redevelopment, but delays and rising costs have led to a funding shortage.
Now, interim chief executive of the FAI David Courell has said that the Aviva Stadium is ready to take on additional Euro 2028 games from the Casement Park fallout.
Speaking at the FAI’s AGM held in Dublin on Saturday, Mr Courell said: “We are disappointed that [Casement] has not come to pass.”
He continued: “What does it mean for the Republic of Ireland? I believe by proof of the Europa League final we hosted in May of this year and the success of it proves we are capable of hosting major events in this country.
“We are absolutely open for business. The ‘Dublin Arena’ (Aviva) is there and if Uefa decide to reallocate games we would welcome the opportunity to host more.”
Aswell as this, Courell insisted that efforts would be made to ensure that Northern Ireland would remain “part of the tournament delivery”.
“We, like the other nine partners involved – the five associations and the five governments – have always wanted Northern Ireland to feature as a host nation in 2028,” he added.
“It is a UK and Ireland bid. Regretfully, that has not come to pass.
“We remain committed to work with Northern Ireland and all of our partners to engage with UEFA to see how they can remain part of the tournament delivery.
“What shape and form that will take? Who knows, but there is an overriding sense of disappointment that they don’t feature as a host venue.”
Related links:
Aviva Stadium is currently pencilled to host six matches in 2028 – four group, one last-16 and a quarter-final.
Cardiff and Glasgow are scheduled to host the same amount, while Everton’s new stadium, Tottenham, Manchester City, Newcastle, Aston Villa and Wembley are the six English stadiums slated for matches.
