Euro 2028: Belfast set to co-host tournament after UK and Ireland bid confirmed

The 2028 Euros will be coming to Belfast after the joint UK and Ireland was ratified earlier.

Following a meeting of the UEFA Executive Committee at its headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, the UK and Ireland, as a pioneering five-association partnership, was awarded the 2028 tournament.

The ExCo decision took place after a presentation by the UK and Ireland football association leaders and Welsh football star Gareth Bale.

The UK and Ireland bid delegation also included six football youth ambassadors who play an active role supporting the development and diversity of the game in their communities. Gareth Bale and the youth ambassadors received the UEFA Euro 2028 pennant from UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin to officially mark the awarding of the tournament to the UK and Ireland.

UEFA Euro 2028 UK & Ireland will be the largest major sporting event the nations have ever jointly staged.

Both Belfast's Casement Park - which has yet to be built - and Dublin's Aviva Stadium, will host matches at the tournament in less than five years' time.

In a joint statement, released by the all the home nations associations, it says the UEFA Euro 2028 bid was successful "thanks to its clear and compelling vision to help domestic and European football grow a more diverse and inclusive game, connect with new audiences and inspire the next generation of players, fans and volunteers. The UK and Ireland expressed this vision as ‘Football for all. Football for good. Football for the future’.

"The UK and Ireland was also awarded the tournament based on the nations’ collective wealth of operational experience and world class technical facilities – with a long track record of staging successful major sporting events, including the ground-breaking UEFA Women’s Euro 2022.

"UEFA Euro 2028 UK & Ireland promises commercial success by delivering record-breaking crowds with high capacity, world famous football grounds and state-of-the-art new venues:

"Approximately three million tickets available – more than any previous UEFA Euro; Average stadia capacity of 58,000, so more fans than ever before will attend matches; Matches hosted around the nations and regions to reach as many communities as possible; Creating safe, family friendly and fun experiences, it is estimated 2.5 million fans will take part in UEFA Festivals across the UK and Ireland."

Irish FA chief executive Patrick Nelson said: “The Irish Football Association is delighted to be part of the successful bid to host UEFA Euro 2028 alongside our counterparts across the UK and Ireland.  

“Together our vision is to stage the greatest ever UEFA Euro tournament, an event that unites and inspires everyone – delivering football for all, football for good, football for the future.   

“We will make fans very welcome here in Northern Ireland and our role in this tournament will remind the world what a great city Belfast is." 

Irish FA President Conrad Kirkwood said: "'This bid is a game changer for football on our islands.

"We have worked hard with our fellow home nations, and the Republic of Ireland, to reach this point and this spirit of collaboration will continue as this exciting project continues to develop."

The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Ryan Murphy, said: “I am hugely proud that Belfast will take its place alongside other iconic host cities across these islands to welcome fans from Europe and beyond for UEFA Euro 2028.   

“The inclusion of Belfast in the successful UK and Ireland bid to host UEFA Euro 2028 is testament to our city’s rich and diverse tourism and culture offering, coupled with our proven expertise and track record of success in hosting world class major events. I know we will deliver a fantastic visitor experience, creating lifelong memories, and I am excited at what the future holds for our wonderful city.”  

Ulster GAA CEO Brian McAvoy said: “The GAA prides itself in delivering for society and the inclusion of Casement Park in this successful UEFA Euro 2028 bid is recognition of the major role we play in enriching the lives of our communities. It is also testament to the partnership that has developed with the Irish Football Association.    

“Casement Park hosting top level international soccer matches as part of UEFA Euro 2028 will be a compelling symbol of the power that sport has to unite people from every generation and background.   

“As has happened with other GAA venues on the island in staging games from other codes, we will play our full part in helping to deliver a truly groundbreaking and inclusive tournament for the benefit of everyone.”  

Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service Jayne Brady added: “I am delighted that Northern Ireland is set to be a host nation for UEFA Euro 2028. This has been made possible by a co-operative approach between government partners in the Northern Ireland Civil Service, UK Government and Belfast City Council, alongside sporting partners in the Irish Football Association and the GAA, working with their counterparts across all the jurisdictions of the UK and Ireland.   

 “This innovative approach shows what can be achieved and these close working relationships will only be further strengthened in the coming years. I am proud that civil servants from a range of government departments will be actively involved in delivering an event that will bring so many tangible economic, social and cultural benefits to Northern Ireland.”  

The UK and Ireland partnership also has strong sustainability strategies which will be developed further in the lead-up to 2028.

These include: Compact and connected transport plan – more than 80% of ticket holders able to travel to matches by public transport; proposed match schedule to reduce emissions; Launching a personal carbon footprint tracker for every spectator and proposing plans for carbon reduction; Adhering to UEFA’s major event human rights principles to ensure an inclusive, discrimination-free and equal work environment for colleagues and volunteers.

"The UK and Ireland football associations are delighted that government partners fully support the delivery of UEFA Euro 2028. With the governments’ once-in-a-generation legacy investment, this is a significant opportunity to transform football development and generate meaningful economic, environmental and social benefits:

The 2028 Euros is predicted to generate cumulative socio-economic benefits of up to £2.6 billion (€3 billion) for the UK and Ireland.

Government partners have already invested or committed more than £500 million (€567 million) between 2019 and 2025 to improve and upgrade grassroots facilities – with the aim of expanding investment programmes as UEFA Euro 2028 approaches;

A further £45 million (€51 million) legacy fund will be invested to develop football and create additional benefits.