The new National Velodrome and Badminton Centre (NVBC) in Dublin, which is expected to cost up to €100m, is well on its way, with the project now in a "design development" phase after the sod turning last month.
The shared cycling and badminton facility will be located on the National Sports Campus in Abbotstown, west Dublin. A Sport Ireland project, it looks set to be a gamechanger for Irish cycling, which enjoyed a remarkable year in 2025.
Though the Government last month said in its “indicative construction timeline” that the project would be completed in the third quarter of 2027, that was an error by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.
A later completion date has now been confirmed in the latest Government update, which also includes much more detailed information about the precise status of the project at present and the recent key developments.
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Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O'Donovan said construction of the velodrome was part of the Government's "goal to continue to invest in new sports facilities, high performance athletes and the hosting of major events".
"Government approved, on 3 September 2025, both the funding and the appointment of Walls Construction as the principal contractor for the project," O'Donovan said in response to a parliamentary question from Paul Donnelly TD, Sinn Féin representative for Dublin West
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"Sport Ireland subsequently entered into a formal engagement with Walls Construction on 22 October 2025, following the required standstill period in accordance with procurement procedures and initial contract discussions.
"The final contractual arrangements were concluded on 26 November 2025. A three-month design development period is currently underway with the contractor and construction is expected to commence in early 2026. It is expected that the NVBC will be completed and in use by Q2, 2028.
"The project will deliver a 250-metre cycling track, the standard required length for hosting major international events. The NVBC will also deliver up tb 12 badminton courts in the in-track area, seating for 1,000 spectators and ancillary facilities.
"The NVBC will address the need to provide world-class track cycling facilities for our athletes as well as providing the sport of badminton with integrated training, gym and medical facilities.
"This state of the art facility will afford our track cycling athletes the opportunity to train in Ireland and should have a positive effect on future international performance levels in both sports."
The sod was turned on the new project on November 26th, when a ceremony took place at the site. And though construction of any project rarely begins immediately after a sod turning - which is largely for show - it effectively marked the point of no return for the velodrome.
And now two years after planning permission was granted, the final touches are being made to the plan before construction begins early next year. After that, the facility is set to take a little over two years to complete, based on the Government's current projections.
