I’m confident Ireland could host an incredible & unforgettable Euro 2028 that would make the whole country proud
ALL eyes are on Qatar today as World Cup 2022 kicks off.
But closer to home, Ireland this week threw our name into the hat to co-host Euro 2028.
The joint bid with the UK will cost the state €135million and was signed off by Cabinet on Tuesday.
Dublin’s Aviva Stadium and Croke Park would host seven games between them under the plan.
It is predicted this would attract 120,000 fans to the capital.
Writing below in the Irish Sun on Sunday, Sport Minister JACK CHAMBERS says the benefits of hosting the football showcase would far outstrip the costs involved.
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THERE are very few things that can shut down cities and bring life in the towns and villages all over the country to a complete standstill. Football is one of them.
Those old enough will remember in vivid detail when they watched Packie Bonner save, and then David O’Leary fire his penalty home, against Romania at Italia ’90.
We remember 2002 and that golden moment when Robbie Keane drew Ireland level in the 92nd minute against Germany in Ibaraki.
And we still get goosebumps thinking about Robbie Brady stretching to head home against Italy in Lille in the summer of 2016.
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Now just imagine how you would feel if games like those took place right here in Ireland.
Imagine the celebrations if such a golden moment occurred at Croke Park or the Aviva.
Imagine embracing families and friends as Ireland soared to new heights in our own backyard, with the whole world watching on.
Moments like those could well be on their way.
This week, the FAI alongside the football associations of Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales came together to jointly submit a preliminary bid for Euro 2028.
They did so with the support of their respective governments and with a very realistic chance of successfully landing world football’s second-biggest event.
If we are successful, this will be a once-in-a-generation event that will be good for Ireland, with a whole range of benefits across both social and economic.
GOLDEN MOMENTS AT HOME
In preparation for the bid, my department has undertaken a detailed economic evaluation of hosting the tournament here. We know what the costs are likely to be and we also know the benefits.
While there are no bidding fees, Euro 2028 will require investment in our stadia, in infrastructure, in legacy projects and in the costs of running an event of this scale.
The cost of these works is approximately €135m. However, the benefits will be multiples of that.
A report conducted following the Euro 2016 tournament in France showed that a total of 613,000 visitors had come to France for the event, spending an average of €154 per day.
The report stated that the estimated economic impact of hosting the tournament for France was €1.22bn.
It will also bring with it approximately 120,000 fans to our country. It will put Ireland on the world stage as a tourism destination. It will bring 2,600 jobs.
All together, it is estimated that the economic benefit for Ireland would be €361million.
SOCIAL BENEFITS OF SPORT
The social benefits are just as important. Sport has an unrivalled, and probably unique capacity, to bring us together — and hosting such an event across Ireland and the UK would play an important role in strengthening relationships north-south and east-west after a difficult few years in Irish-British relations.
There are also key health and wellbeing benefits attached, with increased participation rates in sport and physical activity linked to the hosting of major sporting events.
There are some who will look at the costs of this event and say it would make more sense to invest in domestic football and our League of Ireland, which requires support and development.
I agree with (Republic of Ireland team boss) Stephen Kenny who said he believes the two can coexist. It is possible to host major tournaments while also developing our football infrastructure.
In truth we already are.
Earlier this year the Government allocated €166m to develop sports facilities and infrastructure for clubs and communities all over the country. Football received €25m.
Separately, progress is being made at Dalymount Park and on the Donegal Community Stadium — both of which are receiving support from my Department’s Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund.
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Ireland hosting Euro 28 should only be considered a success if it leaves a legacy of improved football and sports infrastructure in the country in the years afterwards.
This is the challenge and the opportunity we have now, and I have every confidence in our ability to host an incredible and unforgettable tournament that would make the whole country proud.