Ireland and UK to host Euro 2028, UEFA confirms

The FAI has guaranteed a legacy fund of €6.2m for the Irish game after being confirmed as co-hosts of Euro 2028.

UEFA today ratified the sole bid from Ireland and UK to stage the 24-nation showpiece, with two berths reserved for two of the five federations that don’t qualify on the pitch.

Aviva Stadium is to host six matches, four group, one last-16 and a quarter-final, with the disused Casement Park, Belfast lined up for five, should delays and funding challenges be addressed.

“The ExCo decision was formally taken after a presentation by the Ireland and UK Football Association executives and Welsh football star, Gareth Bale,” an FAI statement reads.

“Shamrock Rovers player and Ireland underage international Ade Solanke represented Ireland in Nyon as one of six youth football ambassadors who play an active role supporting the development and diversity of the game in their local communities.

“The third biggest sporting event in the world, UEFA EURO 2028 Ireland & UK will be the largest major sporting event the nations have ever jointly staged – presenting an exciting summer of football to inspire the next generations.

“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. Ireland and the UK expressed this vision as ‘Football for all. Football for good. Football for the future’.

“Ireland and the UK were 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 across all host cities.”

An FAI statement also attempted to deal with the legacy element of this tilt: “The bid has the full backing of the respective Ireland and UK Governments who see this as a significant opportunity to generate meaningful sporting, economic, environmental and social benefits. The Government partners have agreed to a shared €51 million legacy fund which will be invested to develop football and create additional legacies across our five Associations.

“The FAI and the Government of Ireland are committed to a €6.2m Irish legacy fund which will be earmarked for investment across all facets of our sport. This fund is in addition to other revenue tournament-related revenue streams for the FAI which will be directed back into the development of the game in Ireland.”