Dublin City Councillors have signed off on a bid to host the UEFA European Football Championship in 2028.
Four games in the 2020 Euros were due to be played in Dublin but they were moved to St Petersburg and Wembley due to the Covid-19 situation at the time in Ireland. The new bid would see Dublin host six games of the iconic football competition at a cost of €11 million to the council.
The second biggest international football competition in the world would bring an estimated gross spend of €513 million into the country's economy, according to accountancy firm Deloitte. Around 90,000 fans would come to the competition from outside Ireland and the UK.
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Under the conditions of the bid, DCC would be responsible for fan zones - in Merrion Square Park, Smithfield and Dublin Castle -, commercial activation associated with the competition, and promoting the city.
Chief Executive Owen Keegan wrote: "It was very unfortunate that the EURO 2020 games in Dublin had to be cancelled, particularly after significant investment in both time and money by the City Council.
"We now have the opportunity to put the experience gained there to good use, to participate in the hosting of the EURO 2028 tournament and to realise significant benefits for the city and its businesses.
"I am seeking the approval of Elected Members Council to sign the relevant EURO 2028 Host City Agreement and Guarantees on behalf of the City Council ahead of the final bid submission on April 12, 2023."
Councillors agreed to unanimously pass the report on the bid for the football competition.
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