In an unprecedented move, the Principality Stadium in Cardiff is set to host a major Gallagher Premiership rugby match next May. The team has already learned about its rival.

Save the date

The Bristol Bears have planned to move one of their Gallagher Premiership home games from Ashton Gate to Cardiff on Saturday, May 10, 2025. They anticipate it will be the biggest occasion in their history. Previously, the club intended to host a West Country derby against Gloucester at Principality Stadium, but the plan was shelved due to a scheduling conflict with Cardiff hosting the Scarlets in the United Rugby Championship. Now, Bristol has secured an agreement with the Welsh Rugby Union to host a Premiership match at the Principality Stadium, aiming to make it an annual event.

Although the stadium is large, this does not mean that it is always filled to a large extent. More and more people as well as fans prefer online entertainment such as poker, which involves not only playing, but also participating in tournaments and taking advantage of bonuses.

On May 10, 2025, the Bristol Bears will face their West Country rivals Bath at Cardiff's Principality Stadium, one of the premier rugby venues in the world. This special match, dubbed the Big Day Out, promises to be a highlight for rugby fans. Tickets are available from 2pm on Tuesday 23 July 2024.

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Wales' largest stadium now more than a quarter of a century old

The investors' main objectives were a capacity close to 75,000 seats and a retractable roof - a feature that only existed at Amsterdam ArenA at the time. The project was handled by HOK office S+V+E (later Populous). The result was an arena with three levels except for the north stand. This is because its construction is the only element left of the previous stadium that connects the new facility to its predecessor. The investment was financed through a combination of the rugby federation's own funds with public support, the sale of subscriptions for future seats and a loan.

The first event was held in June 1999, but all stands were opened on the occasion of the Rugby World Cup, in autumn 1999. The main user is the Welsh rugby team, and until 2011 there was also the national football team. Currently, however, only the major matches are played there. At the time of Wembley redevelopment, Cardiff was hosting some of England's biggest matches.

In addition to sporting spectacles, it also hosts other major events. The arena has a curtain system that allows different audience configurations for concerts and other competitions (fencing off auditoriums of 73, 46 or 12,000 people).

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