Ireland’s sporting landscape is set for a transformational five years with the Government commitment today of record levels of capital investment to new and upgraded facilities across the country.
Under the National Development Plan (NDP) Review, the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport will receive €2.22 billion between 2026 and 2030, with major sports infrastructure projects among the headline beneficiaries.
Announced today, the Department’s Sectoral Plan outlines a wide-ranging programme that aims to elevate Irish sport at local, regional and national levels — from grassroots community pitches to the construction of world-class high-performance venues.
Among the flagship projects are two long-awaited additions to the Sport Ireland Campus:
The National Velodrome and Badminton Centre, with construction scheduled to begin in early 2026.
A new National Cricket Centre, which will serve as a central hub for the country’s fastest-growing international team sport.
Together, these facilities are designed to support elite performance, host international competition, and, crucially, provide accessible pathways for participation in rapidly expanding sports.
Minister Patrick O’Donovan said the plan “recognises the importance of our sectors to Ireland’s socio-economic development,” adding that the investment would deliver sporting infrastructure that matches Ireland’s ambitions both domestically and on the global stage.
Backing for Community Sport
While the national projects will grab the main attention, the Plan places equal emphasis on continued growth at grassroots level. The Government will sustain investment through two major funding streams:
Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF) – a new round will open in 2026, supporting local clubs, community groups, and multi-use facilities.
Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) – dedicated to regional and national-level venues, training centres and high-demand projects.
Minister of State Charlie McConalogue said the publication of the plan “shows our commitment to continued investment in sport facilities across the country,” highlighting its importance in supporting community participation, regional development and Ireland’s hosting ambitions for major events.
Beyond sport, the €2.22bn allocation will also modernise national cultural institutions, complete the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan, and strengthen Irish-language media infrastructure. But the strategy makes clear that sport will remain a priority sector over the next five years, reflecting both its social value and its economic potential.
The Department’s plan sits within a wider national framework: the Government’s NDP Review represents the largest ever capital injection in the history of the State, with €275.4bn in public investment planned to 2035.
As departmental allocations now take shape, the next phase is delivery — and for Irish sport, the coming years promise some of the most significant infrastructure developments in a generation.
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