Principality Stadium Cardiff Tickets

Principality Stadium Cardiff events and heritage

The venue's own history traces this site back to Isambard Kingdom Brunel diverting the River Taff to drain a bog. Cricketers were the first sportsmen on the reclaimed land in 1848, almost 30 years before rugby was played there. As Cardiff Arms Park, the site stayed at the heart of Welsh sport for almost 150 years. The National Ground was wholly reconstructed during the 1970s.

From the Arms Park to a new national stadium

Redevelopment planning began in 1994. In 1995 the Welsh Rugby Union won the right to host the 1999 Rugby World Cup. A review found that the National Stadium, designed in 1962, had been overtaken. Planners considered adding a third tier or moving to a new site. The scheme chosen became the fourth redevelopment of the Arms Park site.

To make the best use of the space, the main bowl was turned through 90 degrees to run north to south. The Empire Pool, on the corner of Wood Street and Park Street, was demolished to create an open plaza for spectator access. Construction ran from 1997 to 1999 and used 56,000 tonnes of concrete and steel.

The Millennium Stadium was only three-quarters complete when it staged its first match on 26 June 1999. Wales recorded their first-ever win over South Africa that day, and Mark Taylor scored the opening try. Later that year the stadium hosted the Rugby World Cup Final. It was renamed Principality Stadium in 2016.

The roof and a flexible bowl

The design brief included a retractable roof so the venue could host many kinds of events while keeping a natural grass pitch for rugby. The roof opening measures 105m by 80m and takes 20 minutes to open. Four masts, each 90m high, form part of the structure.

In 2012 the women's Olympic match between Japan and South Africa became the first Olympic football match played under a closed roof. A palletised pitch system lets the stadium change from a sports venue into a multi-event arena. Since July 2005, a partition drape system has allowed the bowl to be divided into four staging configurations for concerts and exhibitions.

Principality Stadium Cardiff seating plan

Seating is spread across three tiers, seven levels and four stands. The upper tier, on Level 6, is the largest. The middle tier, on Levels 4 and 5, is the smallest. The lower tier sits beneath both.

The North Stand is a surviving relic of the Arms Park's final form as the National Stadium. Because the drape system can partition the bowl, a concert may use only part of the seating used for a full stadium match. Check the map for your specific event.

Moments that shaped the venue

The Manic Street Preachers played the first concert here on Millennium Eve 1999. The stadium later hosted stars including Madonna, U2 and Robbie Williams.

While Wembley Stadium was being redeveloped, the FA Cup Final was played here from 2001 to 2006, starting with Arsenal against Liverpool. Wales also played 36 football internationals here between 2000 and 2011, and the stadium has seen three Wales Grand Slam successes in the Six Nations.

Getting to the stadium

The stadium is in Cardiff city centre at 101 St Mary Street, CF10 1NS. Its entrance plaza at Wood Street and Park Street was designed for safe spectator access. TixChoice compares listings across sellers, and the seller you choose completes the purchase.