The narrative continues in certain spaces of public debate that the €10 million the Government contributed to bringing the NFL to Dublin this year was a waste of money. The same ‘whinging’ as described by Government sources has already begun over the Ryder Cup at Adare Manor in 2027, the UEFA Euro 2028 Finals and the 2030 Cricket World Cup.
On the day of the Irish 2026 budget, it is worth a quick revisit.
We have previously written about how this attitude reveals a profound lack of understanding of the fundamentals of economics. Investing in areas where tourism, local spending, tax revenue, and international visibility are all expected to increase significantly makes economic sense. That is, regardless of whether the Government then diverts a proportion of that increased revenue into domestic sport. It is a different argument.
We will continue to revisit this debate in the coming months, and it remains relevant today as we examine Golf England’s efforts to secure £20 million in government assistance to bid for the 2030 staging of the Solheim Cup.
This is an event, the female equivalent of the Ryder Cup, that we have previously staged in Ireland, at Killeen Castle, and we may hope to do so again.
However, the costs of international events are rising as the revenues associated with them do as well.
England Golf is seeking UK Government backing to stage the Solheim Cup on English soil for the first time, with a £30 million bid to host the 2030 tournament at The Grove in Hertfordshire.
Only a third of the required funding is currently secured, and England Golf has requested that the UK Treasury underwrite the remaining £20 million to keep the bid alive.
Chief Executive Jeremy Tomlinson said the event would deliver substantial economic returns, create jobs, and provide legacy benefits, while also showcasing women’s sport at a pivotal moment for gender equity in the sport.
He pointed to recent examples where the UK Government has invested in global events such as women’s rugby and athletics, arguing the Solheim Cup represents “incredible value” by comparison.
Talks with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport have been described as positive but urgent, with IMG, the rights holder, requiring confirmation by the end of the month.
A government spokesperson said future event support would depend on their social and economic impact, noting the UK’s “world-leading reputation for hosting major sporting events.”
Interestingly, the fact that England has never hosted this prestigious global event is seen as relevant. Perhaps we may face similar conversations around the Rugby World Cup in time.
In Britain, then, despite its ten times larger population and funding capacity, the same arguments are being made. Where Ireland can excel in these areas is that our natural affinity for sport, combined with the genuine ability of an event to take over a city and a region, makes it a better experience for visiting fans, teams, and leagues.
Once the sums add up, which is always paramount, and which anyone who actually looks at them can verify or critique.
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