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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.

International Sport

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 with the Six Nations, World cup Qualifying football and Olympic Football in 2012 and motor sports including Wales Rally GB, speedway and motorcross.

Cardiff Rugby

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.

Cardiff Football

Rugby isn’t the only popular sport in the Welsh Capital of course. Cardiff City Football Club plays Championship football at Ninian Park, just two miles west of the city centre.

Cardiff Cricket

Since 1921 Glamorgan Cricket Club has been Wales' sole representative in the English County Championship. Glamorgan Cricket play their home matches at the new redeveloped Swalec Stadium with a capacity of approx. 16,000. Work was completed in March 2008, with the impressive new ground hosting the First Ashes Test between England and Australia in 2009.

Sport at Cardiff Bay

The Bay has become a hot spot for sport with the Cardiff Devils competing in the Elite Ice Hockey League from their new 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 2008 the Millennium Stadium will host matches for the Six Nations and Heineken Cup. In 2009 the Swalec Stadium will host England vs Australia in an Ashes match, and in 2012, Olympic football will come to the city.