There has been a positive reaction across the board to the confirmation today of Dublin and Belfast being part of the staging of the Euro 2028 European Championship Finals.

Here is a flavour of what that reaction has been like:

 

Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar

” 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

“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

“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.”

 

FAI President Gerry McAnaney

“This is a flagship day for our game in Ireland. Just over two years after the COVID-19 pandemic saw the UEFA EURO 2020 fixtures moved from Dublin, we are looking forward to the tournament coming here in 2028 when it is proposed that the Dublin Arena will host six games, including a Round of 16 fixture and a Quarter-Final tie.”

“I want to thank our partners in the Government of Ireland, Dublin City Council and the Aviva Stadium along with our own FAI staff, all of whom have worked so hard to secure this tournament. Together we look forward to welcoming Europe to Ireland in 2028 and the games that will inspire Irish boys and girls as they witness history on their doorstep.”

 

FAI CEO Jonathan Hill

“On foot of this positive news for Irish football, we will now push hard to use this to drive investment into all areas of Irish football, be it Grassroots, LOI or international football.”

“It’s a good start that the five-nation partnership, and the governments behind them, have committed to investing a minimum of €51 million into UEFA EURO 2028 legacy initiatives with €6.2 million of this ring fenced for Ireland. This money will allow us to build a framework to invest in facilities and wider initiatives.”

“Our FAI Strategy 2022-2025 clearly identifies qualification for major tournaments as one of our core pillars as we all know the effect a tournament can have on participation levels within our game. We also know that qualification for any major tournament can realise anything between €10-€15 million of increased revenue via participation and commercial bonus payments so hosting these six proposed games is a solid starting point for both our sporting and financial ambitions for 2028 and beyond.”

“Earlier this year we outlined the €863m facility challenge facing the game at all levels in Ireland over the next 15 years. We believe hosting UEFA EURO 2028 can be a significant catalyst in our discussions with Government as well as with other football and private investors in converting that long-term Facility Vision into reality.”

 

Irish FA CEO Patrick Nelson

“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.”

 

FAI Chief Operating Officer David Courell

“This decision is a very positive one for the Association and the return on investment for the FAI and our football community has always been at the core of this now successful bid.”

“As an Association there is a material financial return from a relatively small outlay. We stand to receive hosting fees for the use of the Dublin Arena and we will also benefit from a delivery bonus which will be shared amongst the five host Associations. Both of these payments will result in a multi-million euro boost to the FAI in 2028, a peak year in our debt repayment plan.”

 

Ulster GAA CEO Brian McAvoy

“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.”

 

Lord Mayor of Dublin Daithí de Róiste:

“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.”

Lord Mayor of Belfast Ryan Murphy

“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 a 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.”