The construction of the National Velodrome and Badminton Centre officially began yesterday on the Sport Ireland Campus in Blanchardstown, with the first shovels breaking ground to the West of the National Indoor Arena.
Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O’Donovan led the sod-turning alongside Minister of State for Sport and Postal Policy Charlie McConalogue, Sport Ireland Chair John Foley, and Sport Ireland CEO Dr Úna May. The NVBC, for which we really need a catchier title, is the first major development under the latest Sport Ireland Campus Master Plan.
“I am delighted to be at the Sport Ireland Campus today to break ground for the construction of the National Velodrome and Badminton Centre,” said Minister Patrick O’Donovan, TD.
“As the first large-scale project under the Masterplan, the NVBC will be a significant step forward in the development of Ireland’s sporting infrastructure. It will play a crucial role in supporting high-performance athletes while promoting broader participation across all levels.”
Designed by award-winning architects FaulknerBrowns, the NVBC will feature Ireland’s first indoor velodrome track, a 250-metre cycling surface, 12 infield badminton courts, and seating for up to 1,000 spectators.
Construction is expected to take two years, with the centre scheduled to open by mid-2028. The venue will serve as the permanent home of both Cycling Ireland and Badminton Ireland.
Minister of State Charlie McConalogue, TD, said the project reflects what can be achieved through collaboration: “The NVBC will afford our athletes the opportunity to train in Ireland at a state-of-the-art facility, which will no doubt have a positive effect on future international performance levels in both cycling and badminton. It will also create new opportunities for growth, inclusion, and excellence for the next generation.”
Sport Ireland Chair John Foley said the breaking-ground ceremony represents “a significant moment for the entire sports sector,” adding that he is “very proud of all the work that has been done to get the project to this point.”
The NVBC will play a central role in delivering Sport Ireland’s High-Performance Strategy 2021–2032 by addressing a longstanding gap in national training infrastructure.
Dr Úna May, CEO of Sport Ireland, said: “This world-class facility is going to provide athletes with Cycling Ireland and Badminton Ireland the environment they need to train, compete, and excel on the international stage. It will also open new pathways for people of all ages and abilities to get involved.”
For Cycling Ireland, year-round access to a world-standard indoor track will dramatically enhance Ireland’s competitiveness in the 12 Olympic track cycling events and help attract major international championships. For Badminton Ireland, the centre provides a long-awaited dedicated high-performance home while expanding participation opportunities amid rising engagement in the sport.
Sport Ireland Development Director Tony Lawless said the NVBC “will be transformational for the Campus as well as high-performance and participation. This is the first of several new projects planned over the next decade.”
The project comes as Irish sporting participation reaches its highest level on record. Sport Ireland’s latest Irish Sports Monitor shows that 49% of the population takes part in sport weekly, putting the country on track to meet – and potentially exceed – the 50% target set in the National Sports Policy 2018–2027.
Current Track World Champion Lara Gillespie and former World Champion Martyn Irvine attended the launch, highlighting the impact the velodrome will have on future generations, as did Badminton Double Olympian Nhat Nguyen.
The facility will host programmes ranging from balance-bike sessions for under-6s to opportunities for older adults, creating new pathways for safe, inclusive participation.
Cycling Ireland President Ciaran Cannon described the day as “a truly historic moment for Irish sport,” saying: “The Government’s decision to invest €100 million in Ireland’s first ever indoor velodrome is a game-changer. This facility will nurture the next generation of elite cyclists and open the doors for thousands at grassroots level to discover the sport in a world-class environment.”
Cycling Ireland CEO James Quilligan added: “We believe this will inspire young riders, support our clubs, and provide the pathway from grassroots participation to international success. It has the potential to transform cycling in this country.”
Interviews from today’s Ground Breaking ceremony can be heard on the Sport for Business Daily Podcast.
Image Credits: Sport ireland Campus
Further Reading for Sport for Business members:
Read our Sport for Business Coverage of Venues
SPORT FOR BUSINESS Upcoming Events
December 9th – Our 12th Annual Women in Sport Conference in partnership with Lidl.
January 2026 – The Sporting Year Ahead 2026 in partnership with Teneo – Launching Soon
Sport for Business Podcasts
MEMBERSHIP AND EVENT,
The Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, Sport Ireland, Cycling Ireland and Badminton Ireland, together with over 40 National Governing Bodies of Sport in Ireland, as well as all the leading sporting and business organisations in and around the world of sport, are among the 300+ members of the Sport for Business community.
This includes all of the leading sports and sponsors, as well as commercial and state agencies, individuals interested in our world, and an increasing number from beyond these shores taking a keen interest in Ireland.
Find out more about becoming a member today.
Or sign up for our twice-daily bulletins to get a flavour of the material we cover.
Sign up for our News Bulletins here.
