Millenium Stadium – Wales

The Millennium Stadium is the home of Welsh rugby, and one of the most technically advanced sports stadiums in the world. All of Wales’ home games are played at the Millennium Stadium, which also serves as the headquarters of the Welsh Rugby Union. The stadium is the 4th largest in the United Kingdom.

Millenium Stadium Stats

Opened: 1999
Capacity: 76,250
Owner: Welsh Rugby Union
Home side: Wales
Cost: £126 million

Millennium Stadium Overview

The Millennium Stadium is set in Cardiff on the banks of the river Taff. The stadium is the home of Welsh rugby, and is flanked by the historic Cardiff Arms Park facilities that once hosted Welsh test rugby. The Millennium Stadium is the only stadium in the United Kingdom with a retractable roof, and is the 2nd largest covered stadium in the world.

Besides hosting Welsh test rugby, the Millennium stadium also hosts important domestic and European club rugby games. Several other major sports events have been played on the Millennium Stadium turf, including rugby league Challenge Cup finals and the FA Cup final. The stadium is expected to host football games during the 2012 Olympics.

Millennium Stadium History

The Millennium Stadium was first proposed as a replacement for the existing Cardiff Arms Park stadium when Wales was awarded the right to host the 1999 Rugby World Cup. Rather than refurbish Cardiff Arms Park, the decision was made to construct a new stadium beside the existing stadium.

By 1997 construction of the stadium was well underway. The construction of the Millennium Stadium also led to major redevelopment of the area surrounding Cardiff Arms Park, as designers attempted to make the new stadium more easily accessible to the inhabitants of Cardiff.

The Millennium Stadium hosted its first test match in June 1999, when Wales beat South Africa for the first time in its history, in front of 29,000 supporters. The stadium was completed in 1999, and was immediately put into service hosting 1999 Rugby World Cup matches.

The Millennium Stadium Experience

The Millennium Stadium is recognised as one of the most atmospheric stadiums in world rugby. A number of traditions have been passed from Cardiff Arms Park onto the Millennium Stadium, including the singing of Welsh hymns by supporters when the national team is in action.

The stadium is renowned for its party atmosphere during Welsh rugby games, with over 60,000 pints of beer sold at each test match. The Millennium Stadium bars are fitted with custom made beer taps capable of quenching fans’ thirst by pouring up to 12 pints within 20 seconds.