Demolition of Casement Park is set to resume this month, Secretary of Ulster GAA Brian McAvoy has stated.
Writing in the Ulster Council's annual report, which has been released ahead of the 2026 Ulster Convention, Mr. McAvoy said that as the GAA moves into 2026 "it appears that we will finally be entering the delivery phase of the Casement Park Project."
The report also confirms that to date £170.5 million has been secured for the redevelopment of the new stadium in West Belfast which has lain derelict since 2013, and adds that the GAA is “hopeful” that “additional inflationary funding” can be secured which will bring the overall funding package for the project to £220m.
Planning permission for a 38,000 capacity stadium was quashed by the courts in 2014. But the new 34,500 design has been dogged by rising costs.
Back in February last year GAA President Jarlath Burns said that a total of £260 million is needed to rebuild the provincial GAA stadium for Ulster.
The secretary’s report also states that work took place during 2025 to progress the project on several fronts.
“At the time of writing, indications are encouraging that we will return to site in January 2026 to complete our demolition programme, followed by a remediation and bulk dig contract that will prepare the site for future development,” Burns said.
“Engagement with the Planning Service continued throughout the year and the principle of a phased delivery of the stadium is accepted."
Funding remains "a major area of focus", the report states.
"To date, £170.5 million has been secured for the project and we are hopeful that an additional inflationary funding allocation can be secured which should bring the overall funding package for the project to circa £220 million.
"The technical team completed substantial work during 2025 on internal stadium design and cost options, and work is progressing towards a deliverable, affordable scheme that meets the GAA’s strategic requirements.”
The report adds: “As we move into 2026, it appears that we will finally be entering the delivery phase of the Casement Park Project—a significant milestone not only for Ulster GAA but for the entire GAA community.
“Casement Park is now firmly established as a key sporting, cultural, economic and social priority for the Northern Ireland Executive, the Irish Government and the British Government.
"Within our own Association and across the wider community it is more important now than ever to remain fully focused on the delivery of what has been promised and we must remain united and steadfast in our determination to ensure its delivery once and for all.”
