Principality Stadium (Millennium Stadium)
About Principality Stadium (Millennium Stadium)
The Millennium Stadium, known since 2016 as the Principality Stadium for sponsorship reasons, is the national stadium of Wales in Cardiff. With a retractable roof and a capacity of 73,931, it is the largest stadium in Wales and the fourth-largest in the United Kingdom. It is the home of the Wales national rugby union team and has also hosted the Wales national football team, as well as FA Cup, League Cup and Football League play-off finals during the redevelopment of Wembley Stadium. Built to host the 1999 Rugby World Cup, it replaced the National Stadium on the Cardiff Arms Park site.
Historical Overview
Rising from the banks of the River Taff in Cardiff, the Principality Stadium, originally known as the Millennium Stadium, serves as the national stadium of Wales. Commissioned to replace the aging National Stadium at Cardiff Arms Park, the venue was constructed between 1997 and 1999 to serve as the centerpiece for the 1999 Rugby World Cup. The project, built by Laing, involved the demolition of several local buildings and was funded through a combination of private investment, public funds from the Millennium Commission, and the sale of debentures. The stadium officially opened its doors on June 26, 1999, with a historic rugby union victory for Wales over South Africa. Designed with a fully retractable roof, it was the first stadium in the United Kingdom to feature such technology, allowing it to function as a versatile, all-weather arena.
Did You Know?
The stadium features the largest retractable roof in Europe, which takes approximately 20 minutes to open or close.
ArchitectureThe venue was constructed between 1997 and 1999 on the site of the former National Stadium at a total cost of 121 million pounds.
HistoryThe stadium has a standard seated capacity of 73,931 for rugby and sporting events, which can increase to 79,000 for concerts and boxing.
RecordsThe pitch utilizes a Desso system that intertwines natural grass with millions of artificial fibers to maintain surface quality.
DesignThe venue was officially renamed the Principality Stadium in January 2016 following a 10-year naming rights agreement with the Principality Building Society.
History
Quick Info
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Location
Upcoming Matches
Wales vs Japan
World Rugby Nations Championship
Sat 7 Nov 2026, 16:40
Fixture via fixturedownload.com
Wales vs New Zealand
World Rugby Nations Championship
Sat 14 Nov 2026, 14:10
Fixture via fixturedownload.com
Wales vs Australia
World Rugby Nations Championship
Sat 21 Nov 2026, 20:10
Fixture via fixturedownload.com
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Travel & Matchday
Travel Guide
Everything you need to know about getting to Principality Stadium (Millennium Stadium)
Getting There
The stadium is located in the heart of Cardiff city centre on Westgate Street. Visitors arriving by car should aim for the M4 motorway and follow signs for Cardiff, though city centre road closures are common during major events.
Public Transport
Cardiff Central railway station is the primary hub and is located just a short five to ten-minute walk from the stadium gates. Numerous local bus routes serve the city centre, though passengers should check for temporary stop changes that often occur during large-scale events.
Parking
There is very limited parking at the stadium itself, so visitors are strongly encouraged to use the official park and ride services organized by Cardiff Council for major events. Alternatively, several public multi-storey car parks are available throughout the city centre, though these fill up quickly on matchdays.
Nearby Airports
Cardiff Airport is the closest facility, located approximately 12 miles from the city centre. Bristol Airport is another common international gateway, situated about 45 miles away with connecting transport links available.
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