The 360-acre plot near Lisburn, County Antrim (pictured), will also feature a cinema, industrial zone, restaurants, parkland and a conflict transformation centre. In 1981 IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands became the first of 10 Republican hunger strikers to die in the Maze.

The stadium has already generated controversy in Northern Ireland, with some politicians arguing it should be in Belfast. But the British Government has warned doubters there is no plan-B for the state-of-the-art facility.

The conflict transformation centre was critical to ensuring Republican backing for the Maze proposals and will see the preservation of the prison’s hospital wing.

It is understood the project will also include a 5,000-seat indoor arena, a rural excellence and equestrian zone, featuring an international exhibition centre and showground’s, and dozens of new homes.

A new junction and link road to the site will also be incorporated into the proposals in a bid to overcome reservations about the location of the site.

Proposals have also been drafted for a rail link and park-and-ride system close to the stadium, which it is hoped will open in 2010.

The Maze consultation panel, which includes representatives from all four main parties, reached agreement on a way forward for the site early last year. Since then planners have been working to fulfill the potential of the government-owned site. But a final decision could still be 18 months away.

Northern Ireland Office Minister David Hanson will launch the plan and it will be attended by representatives from football, rugby union and the GAA, the sports which will use the stadium and are also part of the steering group for the development.