Principality Stadium

Principality Stadium is one of the most famous stadiums in Great Britain. In terms of popularity, it can be compared to Wembley Stadium. In this article, we will discuss the architectural features of this sports facility, its location, events held there, and other interesting facts.

History of Principality Stadium

Construction work on Principality Stadium took place between 1997 and 1999. It was built in connection with the Rugby World Cup, which was held in Great Britain in 1999.

The sports arena has 73,931 seats for watching rugby and football matches, and 78,000 seats for boxing matches.

The stadium has a fully retractable roof, transforming it into a multifunctional facility. It is the home ground for the Wales national rugby team and the venue for the national football team's matches and training sessions.

The roof protects spectators and players in bad weather conditions. Another distinctive feature of the Principality Stadium is its flexible design: a system of partitions allows the capacity of the arena to be adjusted from 10,000 to 74,500 seats.

Each tier of the stadium is securely protected, and the field is equipped with built-in irrigation and drainage. The arena, with four 90-metre pitches, can host a wide variety of events and is visible from different parts of the city.

The pitch is covered with a mixture of natural and artificial grass, which greatly simplifies maintenance.

The first major match at the stadium was between the Wales and South Africa rugby teams in 1999. Wales won 29–19, their first victory over South Africa in the history of Welsh rugby.

The new arena was built on the site of the old one, which was not large enough, accommodating only 53,000 spectators.

In 2016, the stadium's name was changed to Principality Stadium for sponsorship reasons.

Where is Principality Stadium located?

Principality Stadium, formerly known as Millennium Stadium, is located in Cardiff, Wales, at Westgate Street, Cardiff, CF10 1NS. It is located in the central part of the city, which ensures good transport accessibility.

Cardiff Central Railway Station is a 5-minute walk from the sports arena, and there are several bus routes and parking areas in the same area.

Principality Stadium seating plan

Before purchasing tickets for events at Principality Stadium, it is advisable to familiarise yourself with the seating plan. The sports arena has four main stands: North, South, East and West.

The standing area for concerts is located directly in front of the stage. This gives spectators the opportunity to watch the performances from a minimum distance.

The field is surrounded by seating sections, divided into lower, middle and upper tiers.

The seating blocks in the arena are numbered as follows:

Near the field — from L1 in the north-east corner to L42.

Second tier — from M1 in the north-east corner to M38 in the north-west corner.

North stand — from N1 to N4.

Upper tier — from U1 in the north-east corner to U38 in the north-west corner and N1–N4 on the North stand.

If you want to learn more about the infrastructure of the sports facility, you can always sign up for a tour. Visitors are offered behind-the-scenes tours, during which they can visit the players' tunnel, changing rooms and other facilities.

Events at Principality Stadium

The stadium has hosted major events such as the 2017 UEFA Champions League final, the 2012 London Olympics football matches, and concerts by world-famous artists including Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and U2.

During the 1999 Rugby World Cup, the stadium hosted key matches, including the final.

The sports facility hosted:

• the FA Cup finals (from 2001 to 2006) during the reconstruction of Wembley Stadium;
• football matches during the 2012 Olympic Games;
• the League Cup finals and Football League play-offs while Wembley Stadium was being renovated.

A number of major events are planned for the stadium in the second half of 2025.

9 November — Wales vs. Argentina match as part of the Quilter Nations Series.

15 November — Wales vs. Japan match;

22 November — Wales vs. New Zealand match.

In 2026, the Principality Stadium will host a concert by Metallica's M72 World Tour (28 June), Gojira and Knocked Loose.

Wales vs France Six Nations 2026 — 15 February, 15:10.

Wales vs Scotland Six Nations 2026 — 21 February, 14:10.

Wales vs Italy Six Nations 2026 — 14 March, 16:40

Past events:

• Catfish and the Bottlemen — 1 August 2025.
• Kendrick Lamar and SZA — 19 July 2025.
• Stereophonics — 11 and 12 July 2025.

How to get to Principality Stadium?

You can get to Principality Stadium by train, bus or car. Choose the most convenient way to travel.

By train (nearest train stations)

Principality Stadium is just a stone's throw from Cardiff Central Station. There is a direct train from London operated by Great Western Railway (GWR). It departs from London Paddington Station and stops at CDF.

The approximate journey time is 1 hour 50 minutes.

The nearest station to the stadium is Cardiff Central, located a 5-minute walk from the sports arena.

The distance between Cardiff Queen Street station and the stadium can be covered in approximately 15 minutes on foot. It serves local rail routes in Cardiff and the South Wales valleys.

By underground

After exiting Cardiff Central station, follow one of the routes below:

For gates 5, 6 and 7, after exiting the main entrance on the north side of the station, turn left onto Wood Street.

For gates 4, 3, 2 — walk straight along Wood Street to Westgate Street, then continue to gate 1 on Castle Street.

By bus

The closest bus stops to the stadium are Westgate Street and Wood Street. From there, it is only a few minutes' walk to the arena.

By car

The stadium is 15 minutes from the M4 motorway. Follow the M4, then turn onto the A48 and continue following the signs.

There is no dedicated parking near the stadium, so it is advisable to plan your journey in advance.

Visitor Information

Review visitor information prior to your visit to Principality Stadium.

Opening hours

The sports arena does not have fixed opening hours; it operates according to the schedule of events taking place there, including football and rugby matches and concerts.

Tours and visits available through the Millennium Stadium Experience are usually held from 10:00 to 17:00, but the schedule depends on the season and events. During major events, they may be temporarily suspended.

In most cases, the stadium opens 1-2 hours before the event and closes after it ends.

Information about the sports facility's operating hours on match and concert dates can be found on the arena's official website.

Hotels nearby

There are several good hotels located near the stadium where you can stay.

• The Parkgate Hotel. Located 50 metres from the arena, it offers guests a wide range of services: a fitness centre, terrace, restaurant and bar.
• Central Studios is in the centre of Cardiff, a 15-minute walk from Principality Stadium and Cardiff Castle.
• The Royal Hotel Cardiff is 0.19 km from Principality Stadium.
• MRS Potts Hostel is 0.16 km from Principality Stadium.
• Crofts Hotel is 0.27 km from the centre of Cardiff and 0.27 km from Principality Stadium.

Parking

There is no private parking at the stadium, but there are areas nearby where you can leave your car. Large car parks are located approximately 10-15 minutes' walk away. On match and concert days, parking costs between £5 and £8.

Westgate Street Car Park, Cardiff, CF10 1DZ is located across the road from the stadium. It has 300 spaces, is open 24 hours a day, and has 4 disabled spaces. Nearby are St. David's Hall, Castle Arcade, Cardiff Central Market, and Cardiff Historic Castle.

Contact details and postcode

Address: Westgate Street, Cardiff, CF10 1NS.

Email: [email protected]

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