Glentoran Football Club is delighted to confirm that it has been listed in Tier Three of the Northern Ireland Football Fund’s Performance Pathway strand, as announced today by Communities Minister Gordon Lyons.

Being placed in Tier Three means Glentoran is in line to receive more than £6 million towards the redevelopment of The Oval.

The announcement is significant endorsement of the Club’s ambitious plans to transform the stadium into a modern, multi-purpose venue with capacity for up to 6,000 spectators.

The Department for Communities has confirmed that all successful projects will now move into a ‘Due Diligence’ stage, during which applications will be fully assessed before funding is finalised.

Today’s announcement follows on from Belfast City Council’s decision in June 2025 to grant planning permission for the redevelopment, providing Glentoran with both the statutory approval and now a clear financial pathway required to deliver its vision for a state-of-the-art stadium.

The redevelopment of The Oval will see the replacement of the existing Grandstand and Railway Stand with two modern, all-seater structures, along with the reconfiguration of terracing at both ends of the ground.

Once complete, it will provide elite facilities for Glentoran’s senior men’s and women’s teams, while giving supporters significantly upgraded amenities and a first-class matchday experience.

The new Oval will also become home to the Club’s Academy squads and Inclusion teams, ensuring that young players and underrepresented groups benefit from the same professional-standard facilities as the senior sides.

Beyond football, the stadium will serve as a multi-purpose hub for the wider east Belfast community, providing a flexible venue for sport, education, health and civic activities.

Ali Pour, Owner of Glentoran Football Club, said: “Being listed in Tier Three of the Northern Ireland Football Fund is a landmark moment for Glentoran and for east Belfast. Alongside the planning permission granted earlier this year, it takes us significantly closer to realising our vision of a modern, multi-purpose Oval that reflects the scale of this Club and the ambitions of its supporters.

“This project is about more than bricks and mortar. It is about creating a stadium that every Glentoran supporter can be proud of, one that honours our heritage, supports the regeneration of east Belfast and provides genuine social and economic value for our community.

“The new Oval has the potential to inspire the next generation through our Academy and Inclusion programmes, while also standing as Northern Ireland football’s second national venue, combining top-level facilities with a bold, forward-looking vision for the future of the game.

“I want to place on record our sincere thanks to Minister Lyons and his Department, to Belfast City Council and to the many stakeholders who have supported us throughout this process to date. I also want to thank everyone who has contributed their expertise, energy and commitment in helping us reach this important stage.”