Home > What to Do and See > Themed Days Out > Sporting & Spectator Break

Sporting & Spectator Break

With one of Europe’s finest sporting arenas in the heart of the city centre the match day atmosphere in Cardiff is second to none, and one of the reasons why Cardiff has become one of Europe’s most popular sporting destinations.

The towering Millennium Stadium put Cardiff on the world sporting map thanks to hosting the Rugby World Cup and six FA cup finals, and each year plays host to world class rugby, football and motorsports including Wales Rally GB, speedway and motorcross.

Sitting next door to the Millennium Stadium is Cardiff Arms Park, where both of Cardiff’s local rugby teams play. Cardiff Rugby Club established in 1876, plays in the Welsh Premiership and the Cardiff Blues established in 2003 compete in the tough Celtic League and Anglo-Welsh Cup.

Rugby isn’t the only popular sport in the Welsh Capital of course. Cardiff City Football Club play Championship football at Ninian Park, just two miles west of the city centre. Glamorgan Cricket play their home matches at Sophia Gardens cricket ground, and The Cardiff Devils compete in the Elite Ice Hockey League from their base in Cardiff Bay.

Since the creation of Cardiff Bay’s 500 acre freshwater lake, the area has also become a regular venue for a wide variety of water sports, from high speed Zap-Cats and Formula 3 Powerboats to canoe slaloms and windsurfing.

Cardiff also has plenty of major sporting events to look forward to. In 2007 the Millennium Stadium will host four matches during the 2007 Rugby World Cup. In 2009 Sophia Gardens will host England vs Australia in an Ashes match, and in 2012, Olympic football will come to the city.