Millennium Stadium

The magnificent 74,500 seat, sliding-roof stadium was completed in 1999 at a total cost of £126 million. It was built to provide a new home for Welsh rugby and football internationals, and of course to host the Rugby World Cup 1999.

The stadium got off to a flying start on 26th June 1999, when Wales beat South Africa in a rugby international. This was not only the first match to be staged at the new stadium, but it was also the first time Wales had ever beaten South Africa in rugby!

With the reconstruction of Wembley taking place between 2001 and 2006, the Millennium Stadium was used as a temporary home for matches that would normally have been played at Wembley. Matches such as the FA Cup Final, the League Cup Final, the Football League Play-off Finals and the Challenge Cup Final all came to Cardiff during this period.

The Millennium Stadium is also used to host music concerts. It has attracted many big acts to Cardiff, including U2, The Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Robbie Williams, The Rolling Stones, REM, The Police, Madonna and Paul McCartney to name a few.

Later this year the Millennium Stadium will host an 'all star' line-up of artists for a special Ryder Cup concert. The 'Welcome to Wales' concert is scheduled to take place two days before the Ryder Cup gets underway at Celtic manor and it will act as a spectacular curtain-raiser for the tournament.

Following a two year break, the Millennium Magic Weekend will return to Cardiff in February 2011, when the Millennium Stadium will host all 14 Super League teams for the first round of matches in the 2011 Engage Super League.

The Millennium Stadium is also an official London 2012 Olympic venue, and will be used to host some of the matches in the Olympic football competition.

Other events that have been held at the Millennium Stadium include: Speedway, World Rally Stages, Monster Truck Racing and even an indoor cricket match. In 2007 local boxer Joe Calzaghe was cheered on by 50,000 fans to become the undisputed world super-middleweight boxing champion, when he beat Mikkel Kessler at the stadium.

For us Welsh, the most memorable events that have occurred at the Millennium Stadium are rugby related. In 2005 Wales won the Six Nations Grand Slam by beating Ireland 32-20 on the final day of the championship. Wales then went on to win another Grand Slam in 2008 by beating France 29-12 in another epic final day encounter.

Visitors who are eager to explore the stadium (on a non-matchday) can book a tour. Stadium tours offer visitors the opportunity to see areas that are normally restricted, such as the players changing rooms, training areas, medical rooms and the Royal Box where the Queen watched the Rugby World Cup Final. Regular tours depart daily and cost £6.50 for adults and £4.00 for children (see full details of prices below).

Stadium Tours
Stadium tours depart daily (on non-match days) between the following times:
10am to 5pm Monday – Saturday | 10am to 4pm Sundays and Bank Holidays
Tour prices are as follows:
Adults £6.50 | Chlidren £4.00 | Concessions £4.50 | Family Ticket £18.00
Plus there is a 15% discount with a group of 20 or more

Contact details:
Millennium Stadium
Westgate Street,
Cardiff
CF10 1JA
Stadium Tours: 029 2082 2282
Stadium Ticket Hotline: 08705 582 582
Website: www.millenniumstadium.com

How to get there:
By car: Exit the M4 at Junction 32 and follow signs to Cardiff city centre. The cheapest parking on match days is usually to be found in Sophia Gardens, which is a 10-15 minute walk from the stadium (depending on which gate your require). Alternatively, NCP car parks are located throughout the city centre, but they are generally more expensive.
By bus & train: The Millennium Stadium is located opposite Cardiff central train and bus stations. Simply exit the stations (to the front) and the stadium should be visible in front of you.

View photos of the Millennium Stadium here: Millennium Stadium Photos

Searching for accommodation? Here are some hotels near the Millennium Stadium: