2035 Women’s World Cup could deliver £120 million boost to NI economy, CBRE NI event hears

Northern Ireland could receive an economic boost of up to £120 million if Belfast was to host 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup matches, delegates at CBRE NI’s 2026 Outlook event heard.

That was one of a number of expert insights shared at the event by James Hamilton, Global Lead of Entertainment and Host Cities at Turner & Townsend, who was joined as keynote speaker by Becky Stormer, Head of UK Sports Sector at CBRE and a footballer with Fulham FC Women. Both CBRE and Turner & Townsend have worked closely on major sports stadium projects such as the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup in Qatar, the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, and Everton Football Club’s recently-opened Hill Dickinson Stadium.

CBRE NI’s annual commercial property Outlook event took place at ICC Belfast and once again attracted an audience of more than 500 business leaders and key stakeholders, with the theme this year being ‘Real Estate and Sports-Led Regeneration’.

Outlook 2026 also saw CBRE NI Managing Director Brian Lavery announce plans to launch ‘United By Sport’, a multi-stakeholder body aimed at leading discussions on how to ensure the regeneration potential of sports venues in Northern Ireland is maximised. The initiative has already been successfully established in two areas of England’s sporting hotbeds – the Midlands and the North East.

Brian Lavery, Managing Director of CBRE NI, said:

“Sports-led regeneration has the potential to be genuinely transformational for Northern Ireland, delivering not only economic benefit but lasting social and community value. Major sporting events and venues – from rugby and football stadiums to padel tennis courts – can act as powerful catalysts for investment when there is a joined-up, long-term approach.

“We were delighted to announce plans to establish the United By Sport initiative in Northern Ireland. Bringing together more than 500 people at our Outlook event from across real estate, infrastructure, government and sporting bodies demonstrates the strong appetite for collaboration, and we look forward to having discussions with the relevant stakeholders through the United By Sport programme.”

Analysis presented by James Hamilton suggests that Belfast being selected as a host city would generate a windfall of between £70-£120m – depending on the number and significance of the matches that would take place at the Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park.

The south Belfast venue is one of 22 stadiums named in the joint bid by The FA, Irish FA, Scottish FA and FA of Wales, but its current capacity of 18,500 would have to be increased to have a chance of being among the final 16 grounds that will be selected by FIFA to host matches in the tournament. This follows Windsor Park missing out on staging matches in the 2028 Men’s European Championships, at which matches will take place in Dublin, England, Scotland and Wales.

After delivering individual presentations reflecting on sports-led regeneration projects that they have advised on across the globe, Becky and James took part in a panel discussion hosted by BBC Sport NI presenter Stephen Watson that focused on what learnings Northern Ireland can take from these as it seeks to develop its sports venues estate.

James Hamilton, Global Lead of Entertainment and Host Cities at Turner & Townsend, said:

“Successful sports-led regeneration requires a clear national sports venue strategy aligned with urban development priorities, supported by robust feasibility studies and realistic funding. Venues should be designed to enhance the fan and athlete experience, with strong transport links, accessibility, sustainability, and long-term community benefit.

“Ambition without practical planning creates risk. Opportunities, such as being part of a bid to host a Rugby World Cup or hosting a Tour de France stage, are achievable for Northern Ireland, but only if carefully assessed. When delivered effectively, major sporting events can accelerate regeneration and create destinations that continue to generate value long after the competitive action is over.”

Becky Stormer, Head of CBRE’s UK Sports Sector, said:

“Major sporting projects create far more than short-term economic impact – they can reshape how cities are perceived, inspire participation, and leave a lasting social and cultural legacy.

“For Belfast, the opportunity is about thinking holistically – from stadium capacity and surrounding infrastructure to community access and inclusion. If those elements are aligned, sports-led regeneration can deliver meaningful economic growth while also enhancing quality of life.”

The CBRE NI Outlook 2026 event provided a platform for industry leaders to reflect on market performance and anticipate future trends. Key sectoral takeaways included:

• The commercial property investment market strengthened in 2025, with transaction volumes almost tripling to £294 million across 33 deals. Retail dominated (75%), followed by industrial, offices and alternatives, while average deal size rose from £4.9 million to £8.9 million. Grade A office and prime retail parks are expected to see continued demand in 2026.

• Build-to-Rent developments, including Loftlines in Titanic Quarter, are nearing completion, while demand remains strong for city centre residential, student accommodation and social housing. Private healthcare schemes, such as a 70,000 sq ft hospital at Kings Hall, also continue to progress.

• Hotel trading softened slightly in 2025, but major events like The Open at Royal Portrush, which generated an estimated £280 million, supported the sector. Seven hotel transactions totalled around £100 million, and new openings, including Marriott’s dual-branded Aloft and Residence Inn, are expected to drive growth in 2026.

• Office take-up totalled just over 288,000 sq ft, with prime rents rising to £26.50 per sq ft due to limited Grade A supply. Refurbishments are expected to fill gaps, while changes to vacant rates may reduce speculative development in 2026.

• New-build warehouse units at Nutts Corner and Knockmore Industrial Estate secured rents above £10 per sq ft. Overall take-up was low, though enquiries from international occupiers are increasing, reflecting Northern Ireland’s strategic location and dual market access.

• In retail, Belfast continued to attract new international brands including Sephora, Bershka and Lego, while retail warehousing vacancy fell below 5%. Growth in 2026 is expected to continue, supported by strong occupier demand, landlord investment, and adoption of omnichannel and AI-enabled solutions.

The commercial property commentary at Outlook 2026 was further enhanced by Simon Brown, Head of UK Office Research at CBRE, who provided key insights on UK commercial property market trends, while Spencer Levy, CBRE’s Global Client Strategist and Senior Economic Advisor, provided a global perspective of the market.