Tickets for derby day at the Millennium Stadium on sale

Posted by Now Cardiff on Sep 14, 2012

Tickets for Wales’ double-header derby day at the Millennium Stadium will go on public sale today (Friday 14 September) at 12noon.

The festival of rugby will see the Newport Gwent Dragons face the Scarlets and Cardiff Blues take on the Ospreys in back-to-back clashes on Saturday 30 March, for the first of a new annual rugby initiative at the home of Welsh sport.

Rugby fans can get their tickets from midday priced at £10 for U18s, £25 for adults and £50 for a family of four (2 adults, 2 children) via WRU.CO.UK at Ticketmaster (08442 777 888) or Ticketline UK (02920 230130).

The event, launched jointly by the Welsh Rugby Union and Regional Rugby Wales, will bring the Blues and Dragons RaboDirect Pro12 ‘home’ games against their regional rivals to the iconic stadium for the next four seasons.

Season ticket holders for the Blues and Dragons will be given free entry to the Millennium Stadium for the annual rugby extravaganza.

The WRU has promised a carnival atmosphere for the unique event with details of a full spectrum of match day entertainment coming soon, while almost 1,000 fans have already pre-registered to book their places at the iconic venue.

“Tickets for the Millennium Stadium’s inaugural double-header derby day are on sale now and fans will get to see two regional rugby derby matches, played back-to-back, all on just one attractively priced ticket,” said Gerry Toms, Stadium Manager.

“The event promises to be a fantastic festival of rugby entertainment and we hope all fans will wear their regional colours and support their teams in their droves at the first event on Saturday 30 March.”

As well as WRU’s official ticketing outlets WRU.CO.UK, Ticketmaster and Ticketline UK tickets will be available from the four regions in coming weeks; details to be announced in due course. All season ticket and box holders from the Cardiff Blues and Newport Gwent Dragons will be allocated prime reserved seats at the Millennium Stadium please contact the WRU in the first instance.

On behalf of the four regions, Stuart Gallacher, Chief Executive of Regional Rugby Wales, said:“We’re delighted to be working with the Welsh Rugby Union to bring a new derby day to Wales’ national stadium, which showcases the commitment and success of the four regions to producing and supporting so many talented players in Wales.”

WELSH RUGBY NEWS: WRU and the four regions unite for a new Derby Day at the Millennium Stadium

Posted by Now Cardiff on Aug 28, 2012

An exciting new dimension in the Welsh regional rugby calendar will see the four rugby regions come together for the first time at a thrilling double-header derby day at the Millennium Stadium.

The Welsh Rugby Union and four Welsh regions have joined up to bring rugby supporters a new annual double-header fixture coming to the Millennium Stadium on Saturday, 30 March.

The first line of a new chapter in Welsh rugby’s history books will be written when Newport Gwent Dragons face the Scarlets and Cardiff Blues face the Ospreys at the iconic stadium as the best of Welsh rugby goes head-to-head in back-to-back matches.

The double-headed festival of rugby, promoted by the WRU, will be a part of each of the Welsh Regions’ RaboDirect PRO12 campaign, falling into place after the international season has finished and just as the league begins to reach its climax ahead of the knock-out stages of European competition.

The Ospreys, Scarlets, Blues and Dragons will bring their thousands of supporters together for a bumper attendance at the Millennium Stadium – with supporters from every quarter of Welsh rugby able to descend on the Welsh capital in regional colours at this unique event.

The day will be themed and marketed by the Welsh Rugby Union and the four rugby regions working in partnership along with RaboDirect PRO12 to create a carnival atmosphere and with further exciting details about the theme of the event to be revealed by the WRU, including a full spectrum of match day entertainment.

“This unique double-header will be a historic moment for Welsh rugby,” said WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis.

“It has taken us five years to put this fixture together, but I am confident it will have been worth the wait.

“The WRU will promote and underwrite this fixture for the next four years, that’s how much we believe in it.  Fans will see the stars of Welsh rugby and get two derby matches for the price of one very reasonably priced ticket.

“I predict this double-header will become a highlight in the Welsh rugby calendar for a long, long time to come.”

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Council leader Joyce makes Olympic rings pledge

Posted by Now Cardiff on Aug 13, 2012

Cardiff Council Leader Cllr Heather Joyce has pledged to find a permanent home for the city’s Olympic Rings if the Welsh capital is allowed to keep the structure which currently stands on the lawns in front of City Hall.

As the eyes of the world were on London last night for the amazing closing ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games, Cllr Joyce said Cardiff is ready to grasp the mettle of the legacy of the Games for Wales, starting with ensuring there will be a home for the city’s Olympic Rings if the British Olympic Association allows them to remain.

Cllr Joyce said, “We have been so proud to be a part of the London 2012 Olympics and it was fantastic to be the city where the most successful games for Team GB in Olympic history kicked off with the first football match in the Millennium Stadium on July 25th.

“It has been amazing and humbling to see what has been achieved from these athletes from across the world and of course from some of our home-grown talents such as Geraint Thomas, Jade Jones, Hannah Mills and Fred Evans.

“I think everyone in Britain feels inspired by what has been achieved which is why I think it is so important we have a symbol of that legacy here in Cardiff to encourage the sporting superstars of tomorrow.

“It would be fantastic if we were able to keep the Olympic Rings in Cardiff and provided it is allowed people can rest assured that I will make sure they have a prominent place in our capital city.

“I have been so impressed by what has been achieved in Great Britain over the last two weeks and I have already written to both Lord Coe and Boris Johnson to give my congratulations and I am delighted to say that we have already had a letter from the Government thanking us for our role in making London 2012 such a success.

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John puts his Hart and Soul behind Olympics

Posted by Now Cardiff on May 2, 2012

Former Wales striker John Hartson has urged sports fans all over Wales to get involved when the world’s greatest footballers head to Cardiff for London 2012 Olympic football matches at the Millennium Stadium.

The iconic sporting venue will host 11 football matches this summer, including the first event of the Olympic Games when Team GB take on New Zealand in the women’s tournament.

The city-centre stadium will also host Team GB, Brazil, Uruguay, Egypt, Mexico and Switzerland in the men’s tournament and women’s teams from Brazil, Cameroon, Japan, and South Africa.

With tickets on public sale until Sunday, 6 May, former Wales captain Hartson is calling on the people of Wales to secure their place to watch the world’s greatest international football stars at the home of Welsh sport.

“’There are some fantastic games lined up for the Millennium Stadium and the people of Wales are in for a treat,” he said. “From Team GB men and women to Brazil men and Japan women, some of the world’s best players will be showcasing their talent in Cardiff. I’d urge everyone to try and get tickets before the window closes on 6 May.”

Fans can get their tickets at www.tickets.london2012.com or via telephone on 0844 847 2012 for the Cardiff fixtures between 25 July and 10 August.

Tickets start at £20 for adults, with special prices available for people under 16 and over 60 at many matches. ‘Pay your age’ prices are available for those under 16 and tickets for people aged 60 or over will be priced at £16. Tickets will be sold on a first come, first served basis.

So far approximately one million tickets have been sold for football with approximately 1.5 million still to sell at venues across the UK and Millennium Stadium’s Gerry Toms commented that this is a once-in-a-life opportunity for fans in Wales.

“This is a unique opportunity for sports fans all over Wales to be part the Olympic Games and show their support for Team GB as they face exciting opposition for one of the world’s greatest sporting events,” said the Stadium Manager at the venue which has also hosted major sporting occasions such as the FA Cup final, Rugby World Cup, FIM British Speedway and the Ryder Cup’s celebration concert.

“The Millennium Stadium puts Wales on the map as a must-visit destination and following an exciting tournament draw last week, some of the world’s major footballing nations have already started to descend on Wales’ capital city as they make their final preparations ahead of the 2012 Games.”

Last week, Stadium bosses welcomed delegates from Uruguay, Egypt, South Africa and Japan as well as Team GB women’s manager Hope Powell. The Team GB women’s team have been drawn in Group E along with Brazil, New Zealand and Cameroon. They will play New Zealand and Cameroon at Millennium Stadium on Wednesday 25 and Saturday 28 July, respectively.

Stuart Pearce’s Team GB men were placed in Group A along with Uruguay which they will face at the Millennium Stadium on Wednesday 1 August, Senegal and UAE.

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Olympic Football tickets on sale

Posted by Now Cardiff on Apr 30, 2012

Tickets for the London 2012 Olympic Football matches at the Millennium Stadium will go back on sale from 11.00am today.

Fans can book their place at Cardiff’s city-centre venue, which will host 11 football games between 25 July and 10 August, at www.tickets.london2012.com or via telephone on 0844 847 2012 until Sunday 6 May.

Following an exciting tournament draw last week, Cardiff will host Team GB Women’s team for the first event of the Olympic Games against New Zealand while in the Men’s tournament; highlights include Great Britain versus Uruguay on August 1.

Football fans will also have the opportunity to watch Brazil, seeded as the "all-time top Olympic performer", play Egypt in Cardiff on July 26.

Tickets start at £20 for adults, with special prices available for people under 16 and over 60 at many matches. ‘Pay your age’ prices are available for those under 16 and tickets for people aged 60 or over will be priced at £16. Tickets will be sold on a first come, first served basis.

The Olympic Football Tournament will take place at six iconic venues including the Millennium Stadium across the UK. So far approximately one million tickets have been sold for Football, with approximately 1.5 million still to sell.

Millennium Stadium General Manager Gerry Toms said: “The London 2012 football tournament in Cardiff is an exciting occasion for sports fans and I hope that people all over Wales will take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and get their tickets to support the GB Team and be part of the Olympic Games in Wales.”

LOCOG Commercial Director Chris Townsend said: ‘Now that the draw has taken place, we are delighted to put remaining tickets on sale to see some of the world’s most exciting young footballers in the Olympic Games. This is a great opportunity for people across the UK to be part of the Games, and see great matches at great prices’

Full details of contingency ticket sales and Paralympic ticket sales will be announced later this week. These tickets will go on sale in May.