Ireland has been confirmed as a co-host of football’s European Championships in four years’ time – or Euro2028 as it is better known – to the broad welcome from Government.
Following a meeting of the UEFA Executive Committee at its headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, Ireland and the UK, a unique and pioneering five-Football Association partnership (featuring the Irish, Northern Irish, Scottish, Welsh and English associations), was awarded the 2028 Tournament.
As well as the likes of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Wembley Stadium, St James’s Park, Villa Park and the soon-to-be-new Everton stadium in England; Ireland/Northern Ireland will supply the Aviva Stadium in Dublin and Casement Park in Belfast; while Scotland’s Hampden Park and Wales’ Principality Stadium will also feature.
Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, said: “I am over the moon to hear that Ireland and the UK will co-host UEFA EURO 2028 and want to express my congratulations to the FAI and all those involved in winning the bid. It will be the biggest event ever hosted by our two islands working together. We’re willing to invest in the Aviva Stadium and Casement Park to ensure that the stadia, north and south, are ready to welcome the world. I also want to ensure that there are benefits too for football clubs all over the country and I look forward to engaging with the FAI on how we can achieve that. Football truly is a global sport, played on every continent and is transcendent of race, social class or gender. I really think we can use this tournament to showcase Ireland to the world and bring people together.”
Minister Catherine Martin said: “I welcome the awarding of the EURO 2028 tournament to Ireland and the UK. Hosting the tournament will bring huge benefits to the country economically, particularly for our tourism industry, with over 120,000 visitors expected to travel to Ireland for the tournament. The sporting benefits will be felt right across the island, inspiring a new generation to take up football and other sports. UEFA Euro 2028 has the potential to encourage increased participation from all sections and communities of our society and to reflect the goals of the bid to deliver football for all, football for good and football for the future.”
Minister of State Thomas Byrne said: “I am delighted with UEFA’s decision to award the hosting rights for EURO 2028 to Ireland and the UK. I know that we can co-host a fantastic tournament for football fans which will place Ireland on the world stage. EURO 2028 offers us a wonderful opportunity to further grow the game in Ireland and we will work together to ensure that there is a positive lasting legacy from our hosting of the tournament. I am particularly pleased that Northern Ireland is a part of this great effort as 2028 will mark thirty years since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. I want to commend everyone involved in this successful outcome.”
Lord Mayor of Dublin Daithí de Róiste said: “After the disappointment of losing out late in the day on the opportunity to co-host UEFA EURO 2020, today’s news will finally allow Dublin to take its place as a host city for the biggest sporting event ever to be held here. It will showcase Dublin to a global TV audience of hundreds of millions, in addition to the many fans, visitors, locals & stakeholders who will make their way to the city during the tournament. The excitement will be palpable! The City Council will work with our partners in Government and the FAI to ensure there are a suite of meaningful initiatives rolled out in Dublin and across the country to create a lasting legacy from EURO 2028.”
