Having already recently confirmed the new international-standard veldrome for Dublin has been funded, to the tune of almost €100 million, the Government in Budget 2026 has made it clear the construction phase is just about to begin.
It emerged last month Minister for Communications, Culture and Sport Patrick O’Donovan TD had secured approval from his colleagues in Government, at the weekly Cabinet meeting, for almost €100 million for the new project.
The Government also approved the appointment of the main contractor and now in its spending allocations for next year, Budget 2026, the velodrome gets its first mention in a budget, with ground about to be broken on the facility.
Firstly, the National Velodrome and Badminton Centre is included in the Deparment of Communications, Culture and Sport's 2026 programme for 'sports and recreation'.
Secondly, Minister for State for Sport, Charlie McConalogue states clearly construction is about to begin, referencing that after pledging to increase high performance athlete funding to €28.5 million next year.
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"We have also made provision for another round of funding under the 'community sport facilities fund', as well as an increase in support for the 'large scale sport infrastructure fund', recognising the roll out of projects already announced," he said.
"We will continue to develop our National Sports Campus, with work due to commence shortly on the new National Velodrome and Badminton Centre.
"This Government is committed to the success of Irish sport; from record investment in our sport facilities, to supporting the ambition of our high-performance athletes like never before and fundamentally, to ensuring everyone, at every level, enjoys the right to participate in sport and physical activity."
The pronouncements in Budget 2026 do not really progress the velodrome plan in any way - as planning permission and funding were both already in place before today. However, the inclusion of the project in the budget, and the announcement construction was about to start, are both key indicators the velodrome is now continuing to move forward.
“The National Velodrome and Badminton Centre is a critical piece of national sports infrastructure in Sport Ireland campus masterplan vision. The facility, which will be located on the west Dublin campus, will feature a 250-metre indoor cycling track, 12 badminton courts within the infield area, and seating for up to 1,000 spectators.
