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Six Nations Rugby in Cardiff: Plan Your Match Day
Friday, 31 January 2025
If you’re lucky enough to have match tickets for one of the Six Nations matches in Cardiff, or you’re just watching in the pub in the city centre with a cold one, there’s a few things you need to know. Scroll for transport information, food & drink options, attractions and where to stay.
GETTING TO CARDIFF
The city gets extremely busy on match days, so it’s recommended to plan your travel & transport in advance – don’t forget to consider your journey home too!
Why not extend the weekend with the GWR Long Weekender ticket, slow down and enjoy more quality time. Leave on a Friday or Saturday, return on a Monday and save over 60% compared to an Anytime Return. Book online here.
Travelling from Cardiff Bay? Why not book your seats now on board Princess Katharine for relaxing hassle free travel from Cardiff Bay to the Principality Stadium and arrive at the game in style!
Once you’re in our city centre, you’ll find yourself in the midst of the rugby day atmosphere, with the Principality Stadium, bars, restaurants, stores and attractions all within easy walking distance. Please see the news page for all recommended advice on road closures, trains, buses, taxis and park & ride services.
FOOD & DRINK OFFERS
You may need to fuel up to keep you going throughout the busy match day. Most bars & restaurants require advance bookings due to the high demand, so browse our Eat & Drink section and reserve your table to avoid disappointment.
Struggling to find a reservation? Why not wander down the famous Caroline Street for curry & chips to keep you powering through.
Originally known as Proud Mary’s. Bonnie Rogues is positioned in the heart of the Welsh capital, with its live and loud atmosphere, its one not to be missed.
Bonnie Rogues will be showing the Six Nation games live while serving food all day. Grab your friends and soak up the atmosphere here!
The Guinness Fanzone at Cardiff Arms Park is back once again for Wales’ home fixtures in the 2025 Six Nations. Watch Wales open the competition at home against Ireland on Saturday, 22nd February, before facing England on Saturday 15th March in Cardiff.
The Fanzone, situated right next to Principality Stadium, is the fantastic setting to soak up the atmosphere on a matchday – whether you have a ticket to the match or not! Open to the public, visitors can enjoy food, drink, live acoustic sets before and after the match, and the big screen showing all the matches on the day! More information available here.
Find the rugby vibe that suits you at one of five Cardiff-based Croeso Pubs venues!
Experience the electric atmosphere of The Philly Fan Zone at The Philharmonic, boasting 17 screens, two projectors, matchday packages, and queue-jump tickets. Enjoy roast meat rolls at the stylish yet traditional Blue Bell or catch live music before and after every game at Brewhouse. Daffodil is serving top-quality Welsh dishes alongside every Wales game, while Retro is bringing the party vibes.
Book any Croeso Pubs venue here.
Make the most of match day at Graze Restaurant Cardiff they’ve created a pre and post menu to thrill as much off the field as on.
The ideal place to fuel up before or after the game. The Graze are offering a three-course menu and nipples with the best local ingredients. Book your table online here.
Watch the Six Nations on the heated roof terrace! Soak up the electric atmosphere with friends, enjoy chilled drinks from their dedicated terrace bar, and indulge in delicious pizzas and sharing platters while watching the matches.
Flight Club’s doors will be open from 9am on home matches in the city, so if you fancy some pre or post match competition, join them in the oche for Social Darts, and toast to your champion with one of their Trophy Cocktails. Book online here.
Why not book something “scrum”-tious during this year’s Six Nations Tournament. The Tasting Tour and Welsh Food Tour showcase Welsh food & drink and the City of Arcades Food Experience shows off an amazing menu of international cuisine.
En route, you’ll call into specialist food producers and retailers and the indoor market, passing the city’s majestic civic centre buildings and key landmarks including Cardiff Castle and the Principality Stadium. Bonus points on the tours include warm Welshcakes, a fabulous line out of drinks, local delicacies and more. Book online here.
A SHORT STROLL
Full of character, it’s a short walk to our neighbourhood matchday venues.
The DEPOT will be showing all five Welsh fixtures live at their Official FANHUB!
Gather your squad and immerse yourself in a celebration of sport! Expect huge screens, street food, live music and all day entertainment. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or simply soaking up the atmosphere, the DEPOT is the ultimate venue to support the boys in red.
Tickets start from £6.60 per person and are available to book here.
Another of the Croeso Pubs not far from the city centre and over to Cardiff Bay, The Dock will be showing all Wales games with live commentary.
If you’re looking for a more relaxed environment, perhaps you would prefer watching the game with serene waterside views from your dining table. More information available here.
If you are looking for a cosy atmosphere to watch all the action unfold on live TV, head to Thomas Bar & Restaurant at Future Inn Cardiff Bay.
They will be offering an exclusive matchday deal, The Dragon Platter. This exciting offer will include stuffed jalapeno peppers, grilled jumbo sausage in a bun with grilled onions and mustard and finally sriracha southern fried chicken loaded fries. Ideal for two people priced at £29.50.
Reserve by calling 02920 48711 or email thomas@futureinns.co.uk. Alternatively book online here. Walk-ins are also welcome.
Looking for something a little different this Six Nations? The Vale resort is hosting a corporate hospitality package for the Wales vs England game.
Start the day off with a champagne reception followed by a delicious lunch and complimentary bar. Rugby legends Mike Phillips and Adam Jones will be sharing their exciting rugby stories. Later transport is arranged to and from the Principality Stadium, with a post-match buffet and drinks waiting for you on your return.
To find out more, visit here.
ATTRACTIONS
Make the most of your visit to Cardiff by checking out the other attractions whilst you’re here. There are many incredible things to see just a stone’s throw away from Principality Stadium, including the iconic Cardiff Castle and the National Museum Cardiff or if you have a bit more time then bus, boat or trek it to Cardiff Bay and discover the heritage and culture on the waterfront.
You can also find more attractions on our website.
Step into the future of broadcasting at BBC’s newest and most advanced studios. Join the friendly guides for an exclusive behind-the-scenes award-winning tour of BBC Cymru Wales. Visit the state-of-the-art television and radio studios to discover the secrets of making a BBC programme. BBC Central Square has received a coveted Visit Wales gold award and Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice award for the quality of its tours.
Each walking tour will last approximately 90 minutes. As a live and working broadcast centre, no two tours are the same, so every visit will be unique. For tickets and more information click here.
Cardiff Castle, in the heart of Wales’ capital city, was once a Roman fort, a Norman stronghold and a Victorian Gothic fantasy palace, now a destination deserving of a match day detour. Fully encounter the Castle with a general admission ticket and upgrade to a House Tour, where knowledgeable guides will have you feeling like you’ve taken a step back in time.
If that sounds like too much thinking and not enough drinking, then the pints are pouring in the terrace cafe-bar, and if the weather isn’t, enjoy the lush Castle Green, part of the free-to-access public square.
VISITOR SERVICES
If you are unfamiliar with Cardiff, City Centre maps are available for download from our Maps page, or pop into Cardiff Castle to pick up a map and leaflets about local attractions from the information centre.
Our Tips for Tourists page also includes some useful information, including some basic Welsh phrases you can impress your friends with!
SOUVENIRS
Don’t be daff’ and make sure you get the chance to pick up a souvenir daffodil hat, a Welsh toy sheep, or even a toy dragon to ensure Wales has a roaring victory. You can also pick up a scarf to commemorate the game and get your face painted for the occasion.
For Welsh rugby shirts and souvenirs, there are a number of shops to have a browse in, including WRU Store on Westgate Street, the Cardiff Castle gift shop & Castle Welsh Crafts just to name a few.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation should be booked well in advance to avoid disappointment. However, if you would like a room last minute, it’s recommended to contact hotels directly. Our Places to Stay section lists options for all tastes and budgets from spa hotels to self-catering apartments.
LEARN THE LINGO
Why don’t you try (cais; pronounced kai-ss) to see if you can embrace the patriotic atmosphere and pick up a few Welsh words while you’re watching the match. So, come on (dewch ymlaen; pronounced dew-kh um-line), you can even give it a go when you’re at the bar, getting a beer (cwrw; pronounced koo-ru).
There’s no penalty (cosb; pronounced coh-sp) for not doing it but take advantage (mantais; pronounced mantais) of our guide and you’ll be feeling like a proper Welshie in no-time.
So, while you’re saying hello (shwmae, pronounced shoo-mai) to your fellow fans, you might have something to say about the scrum (sgrym; pronounced sgrum), how the captain (capten, pronounced cap-ten) is doing, and they might have some choice words about the referee (dyfarnwr; pronounced dove-are-noor).
Want to take it a step further? – try out these phrases.
Now you’re in the know, have a fantastic time wherever you’re watching the Six Nations. Come on Wales! 🏴
